DEANNA STANTON
artist. dancemaker.
Photo courtesy of Ballet Arkansas, Matthew Sewell Photographer. Choreography by Yuka Oba-Muschiana
RECENT WORKS
DUMBO DANCE FESTIVAL
Innocent Thorns
A contemporary ballet work for
3 men & 3 women.
This piece is inspired by imagery of a rose with falling petals—a symbol of beauty, fragility, and quiet resilience. The work explores how grace and strength can coexist, and how beauty can emerge not despite hardship, but because of it. It honors the idea that beauty shaped by adversity is not fragile—it is intentional, grounded, and deeply human.
BEYOND TECHNIQUE INTENSIVE
TwistedTangled
A contemporary ballet work for
12 dancers.
Inspired by the concept of stumbling over your words or acccidently weaving two words together.
HER TURN
Where Eyes Meet
A contemporary ballet work for
2 women & 2 men.
This work explores the invisible language exchanged through the eyes before words are ever spoken.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
"Stories I'll Tell" presented by Rocky Mountain Choreography Festival
October 10, 2026
Ogden, Utah
A night dedicated to my choreography, featuring 8 premieres created for the performance.
Palm Desert Choreography Festival
November 14-15, 2026
Palm Desert, CA
"Innocent Thorns"
A dynamic live platform for dancemakers and dancers to showcase their work and powerfully engages audiences around dance in the Coachella Valley. Dedicated to dance as an art form, the Festival presents new, original choreography and features a competition in two divisions, a Lifetime Achievement Award presentation, outreach projects, workshops, and networking opportunities for choreographers and dancers.
Santa Barbara, CA
November 20-21, 2026
"Borrowed Time"