Published on September 28th, 2021 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

Shawn Short Demonstrates Artistic Elements Through Dance

Being authentic is one of the most difficult choices that one can make, and once that choice is made, everything else feels secondary. Shawn Short is an individual who has swept the dance industry with his talent and skills by being true to his identity. Short was in the closet about his orientation until he was 20 when his mother saw him using a gay internet chatroom. Short felt liberated and confessed his liking for boys, which riddled a storm in his strict household. As the world began to gather momentum with the LGBTQ+ movement and everyone becoming aware and accepting, Short’s mother and stepfather circled back to him. After his parents found out, Short moved out and began to explore the ballroom culture, where he found friends that were just like family. Even though his parents were loving but in their brief absence, Short found friends that would last a lifetime.

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul.” ― Martha Graham

Bringing forward a vision

“Don’t let others tell you what you can’t do. Don’t let the limitations of others limit your vision. If you can remove your self-doubt and believe in yourself, you can achieve what you never thought possible.” ― Roy T. Bennett

Short has done his undergrad from Howard university, securing a BFA in Musical Theatre, and completed grad school from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with MFA in Dance with attention given to dance history, arts administration, and somatic. As Short completed his MFA, he founded Dissonance Dance Theatre (DDT) in 2007. When an individual begins to work with determination, they tend to achieve success eventually. Shawn has collaborated and studied with nationally and internationally applauded artists, including faculty and dancers from Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dance Institute of Washington, Dance Alloy, Lines Ballet, Philadanco, Towson University, Washington Ballet, Baltimore, and Duke Ellington School of Performing Arts. As a student of ballet education, Shawn studied with Margarita De Saa, John White, and the Washington School of Ballet Director Kee Juan Han. Short is the Founding Producing Artistic Director of DDT, Shawn is the Founder and Director of Ngoma Center for Dance (Ngoma).

Short has received the Black Enterprise (BE) “Modern Man 100 List of Extraordinary Men” award in 2016. Ngoma is fundamental in the growth and progression of DDT. Short envisions world-class dancing and wants utmost focus from his dancers as he requires exclusive and determined morals and ideals for training at Ngoma. Under Short’s guidance, DDT has grown from a venture into an electrifying dance entertainment entity in the Washington, D.C. area. Short is a choreographer, teacher, and coach and has illustrated inspiration and adoration of the classical and contemporary ballet world that has become the chief goal of DDT’s vision. The dancers are eager and thrilled by Short’s commitment and enjoy the continuous training as they aim to achieve more and more as time goes by. Through Ngoma’s programs, dance artists have adorned stages locally and even shined bright nationally and internationally. Subsequently, a lot of students have secured scholarships and have been accepted into college and university dance programs.

Exercising boldness

“Defeat is a result of people not being bold enough to grab their win.” ― Anas Hamshar

As the world progresses forward, Short has used all his abilities to exercise the boldness and fearlessness that has engulfed his entirety. Even when Short was young, he knew that a part of him wanted to pursue dance. Short envisioned pursuing dancing and becoming a pro at it, eventually leading him to train others. Short, since the beginning, had leaderships qualities where he would exercise his skills to bring forward his talents and capabilities. There are moments when individuals feel that they lack abilities that will propel them towards success, yet it is important to be vigilant and remain focused. Short has been extravagant when it comes to training his students and making them believe that they have everything it takes to become flawless dancers.

Short has been a mentor for his students and pushed them to move beyond the imaginary limitations and restrictions that they have inflicted upon themselves. When a person begins to let go of all their self-consciousness and shyness, they tend to reveal their true authentic self. Short has been nothing but extraordinary as he trains his students to embrace all of their strengths and use them as guidance. When a person feels conflicted, dance is an outlet that allows an individual to completely feel free and liberated. Dance allows an individual to completely let go and begin their life with new vigor and energy. Dance does wonders for health, stress, and anxiety as it tends to make one feel happy and delighted. Short has been pushing his students through performances to grapple all their weaknesses and use them as fuel to succeed. Short is a true artist and has been an inspiration for all those who want to find themselves through dance.

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.