Johan Inger’s ‘Walking Mad’ Makes St. Louis Debut in STLDT’s Winter Series

Saint Louis Dance Theatre (STLDT) brings one of contemporary dance’s most celebrated works to St. Louis for the first time with Johan Inger’s Walking Mad, the centerpiece of the company’s Winter Series running Feb. 27-March 1, 2026, at COCA’s Catherine B. Berges Theatre.

Swedish choreographer Inger, recipient of the prestigious Benois de la Danse—often called the “Oscar of Dance”—created Walking Mad in 2001 for Nederlands Dans Theater. Set to Maurice Ravel’s hypnotic Boléro and music by Arvo Pärt, the work has since become a 21st-century milestone, performed by leading companies worldwide including Ballet BC (Canada), Cullberg Ballet (Sweden) and Compañía Nacional de Danza (Spain). STLDT marks the first St. Louis company to present this theatrical tour de force.

“Walking Mad speaks directly to the heart of our Love Languages season—exploring how we move with one another through barriers and boundaries,” said Kirven Douthit-Boyd, STLDT’s artistic director and former principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. “Dance is the physical manifestation of emotions, and Inger’s choreography transforms these emotions into refined storytelling. The wall that divides the stage becomes a powerful metaphor for how we build and break connections, creating an interplay of understanding that transcends words.”

The production features a moveable wall that dancers push, climb and manipulate throughout the performance, creating constantly shifting perspectives on relationships, desire and the journey from sanity to madness. Critics have praised the work as “playful, theatrical and full of life,” noting how Inger blends physical comedy with emotional depth.

“Bringing Johan Inger’s choreography to St. Louis extends our vision of dance excellence in St. Louis,” said Erin Warner Prange, STLDT’s executive director. “This is the international work you’d expect to see in megacities, and we’re thrilled to share it with St. Louis audiences who deserve access to the very best in contemporary concert dance.”

The Winter Series showcases masterworks and contemporary voices alongside Walking Mad, including pieces by Jamar Roberts, José Limón, Jiří Kylián, Norbert De La Cruz III, Robert Battle and Kirven Douthit-Boyd.

Program A features Unyielded by Kirven Douthit-Boyd; Chaconne by José Limón; Unfold by Robert Battle; Facing Shores by Kirven Douthit-Boyd; and Walking Mad by Johan Inger. It will be performed February 27-28 at 7:30 pm.

Program B features Good Grief by Jamar Roberts; Facing Shores by Kirven Douthit-Boyd; Walking Mad by Johan Inger; and Sechs Tänze by Jiří Kylián. It will be performed March 1 at 2 pm & 7:30 pm.

All performances take place at COCA’s Catherine B. Berges Theatre, 6880 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63130.

Tickets start at $25 (student) and are available at stldancetheatre.org.

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