EVENT Series for
Sacred Space

April 12, 2pm
May 23, 6pm
May 24, 2pm

2241 Jefferson Ave, StL, MO 63104

Spring 2026 Leverage Dance Theater will facilitate multiple Dance for Sacred Space events. Each event in The Spaces Between Us series will begin with a Making Dance Laboratory, during which the audience will be given the opportunity to co-create a new work with the company, and conclude with a showing of works from Leverage's concert series for sacred spaces, including the dance created that day.

Designed as an immersive experience, Leverage’s Dance for Sacred Space series is a secular exploration of the sacred, examining profound meaning, awe and transcendence within human experiences, independent of traditional religious dogma or specific beliefs. It focuses on the "sacred" as an inherent value found in moments, places, rituals, relationships…. that feel transformative or connected.

Making Dance
LABORATORIES

Making Dance Labs are a series of interactive, educational events designed to engage audiences in the creative process of dance-making.

While learning about the dance-making process audience members will be guided in choosing from a “dance menu”. The dancers will in turn develop material, in real time, inspired by the audience’s choices. While the development process unfolds a discussion will be led by Leverage Artistic Director, Diana Barrios and/or guest facilitators.

Dance Labs aim to cultivate relationship with audiences, resulting in the development of ideas, content, and movement vocabulary reflective of audiences to inform the production of future programs.

Above: Photos by Lumosco Photo, Sam Fink - Design by Alex Cota

TOp: Photo by Lumosco Photo, Sam Fink - Design by Alex Cota
BOTTOM: Photo by Jonathan R White Photography - Design by Diana Barrios

Dance for
Sacred Space

Inspired by the magnificence of sacred sites like Europe’s cathedrals, the Lotus Temple in New Delhi, and Machu Picchu in Peru, Leverage’s Dance for Sacred Space series also draws on the quiet serenity found in smaller spaces like ashrams and chapels or the overwhelming beauty found in nature.

An invitation to witness and connect with the deep undercurrents of life that unite us all, the series bids us to sidestep the limitations of language and inadequacy of words in contemplation of that which might be beyond the “self.” Through abstraction and art we hope to facilitate the transcendence of preconceptions, ideologies, dogmas and assumptions . Through the language of dance, light, and sound, we hope to enhance the spiritual resonance of the spaces where we perform and invite viewers to open themselves to ‘experiences’ of embodiment & spirituality,” says Leverage Artistic Director, Diana Barrios.

Leverage’s Dance for Sacred Space explores the potential of both grand and intimate spaces to evoke embodied and deeply personal responses.

Originally created for St. Francis Xavier College Church, this series began with Am I the Only One (2014). Three years later Of Matter and Mind (2017) was created for Holy Cross Lutheran Church. In 2024, Leverage revisited the Holy Cross production and presented Of Matter, Mind & Spirit (2024). Refractions of Being (2025) was created for Hope United Church of Christ.