Shannon Hummel/Cora Dance Choreographer-in-Residence @ Richmond Movement Center (RMC)

Shannon Hummel/Cora Dance (SH/CD) is proud to announce that Founder and Choreographer Shannon Hummel has been named Choreographer-in-Residence at Richmond Movement Center (RMC) for the 2026–2028 Seasons. This two-year residency will serve as the creative home for the development of Hummel's new work, Vessel, while supporting the revival of landmark repertory in preparation for SH/CD's 30th Anniversary Season. Through the anniversary initiative, 30 Years of Cora Dance: Rewind, the residency will expand the company's presence in Richmond by offering sliding-scale open rehearsals, performances, master classes, choreographic labs, workshops, and community events that invite audiences and artists into SH/CD's creative process. The residency will also mark the return of the SH/CD Apprentice Company, reestablished in Richmond after being paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally founded in New York City, the Apprentice Company serves as a bridge to the professional ensemble, bringing together a highly selective group of professional and pre-professional dancers for intensive training, mentorship, and performance opportunities. Apprentice Company members will perform revived repertory and selected roles alongside the professional company, preserving SH/CD's artistic legacy while cultivating the next generation of dance artists. In 2026–2027, SH/CD Professional Company includes Nikki Assanti (New York City), Taylor Black (Richmond, VA), Ammara Shafqat (Charlottesville, VA), Cynthia Thompson (Staunton, VA), and Keon Washington (New York City). Together, the professional company and Apprentice Company will establish Richmond Movement Center as a vibrant hub for SH/CD's creative research, performance, education, and community engagement as the company looks ahead to three decades of dance-making. Shannon Hummel/Cora Dance Choreographer-in-Residence Activites @ Richmond Movement Center, 14 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA. Sunday, July 12: Master Classes w/ SH/CD Guest Artist, Cynthia Thompson, and Company Member, Keon Washington 10-11:15AM – Contemporary Ballet Class w/ Cynthia Thompson @ RMC 11:30AM-12:45PM – Hip Hop Class w/ Keon Washington @ RMC Tuesday, July 14, 6:30-7:45PM: Modern Master Class w/ SH/CD Company Member, Ammara Shafqat @ RMC Wednesday, July 15, 6:30-7:45PM: Modern/Composition Master Class w/ SH/CD Company Member, Nikki Assanti @ RMC Thursday, July 16, 7PM: Vessel: Informal Showing of SH/CD’s new work-in-progress w/ talkback! Choreography by Shannon Hummel in collaboration w/ performers Nikki Assanti, Taylor Black, Ammara Shafqat, Cynthia Thompson, and Keon Washington. Talkback follows showing. Shannon Hummel kicks of a 2-year Choreographer-in-Residence at RMC by sharing and early work-in-progress showing of SH/CD’s latest work Vessel, featuring Nikki Assanti (NYC), Taylor Black (Richmond, VA), Ammara Shafqat (Charlottesville, VA), Cynthia Thompson (Staunton, VA), and Keon Washington (NYC). Vessel drifts through questions of impermanence, love, loss, memory, and the fleeting strangeness of being alive. At once intimate and expansive, the work lingers in the space between meaning and meaninglessness, asking what we carry, what carries us, and what remains as everything changes. This informal showing invites audiences into the evolving creative process of the work. Following the performance, guests are invited to stay for conversation with the artists, in an evening of community and reflection with Shannon Hummel/Cora Dance. Sunday, September 13: Master Classes, Workshops, and Open Rehearsals w/ Shannon Hummel/Cora Dance. Sliding Scale. Click here for details. 10-11:15AM – Modern Class w/ SH/CD Company Member, Taylor Black 11:30AM-12:45PM – Hip Hop Class w/ SH/CD Company Member, Keon Washington 1-3PM – Fellowship Project: Community Company Workshop Dance in Community Practices w/ Shannon Hummel. Cora Community Company Workshops invite people of all experience levels in dance to engage directly in creative process - from inspiration to performance - deepening connection with SH/CD’s community-based projects through direct participation. Participants take on active roles as movers, storytellers, and co-creators, while gaining valuable tools for expanding the role of dance in the broader community. 3-7:30PM – SH/CD Company Open Rehearsal of Vessel w/ performers Nikki Assanti, Taylor Black, Ammara Shafqat, Cynthia Thompson, and Keon Washington. Witness live rehearsal as Shannon Hummel develops the company’s latest work-in-progress Vessel, featuring performers Nikki Assanti (NYC), Taylor Black (Richmond, VA), Ammara Shafqat (Charlottesville, VA), Cynthia Thompson (Staunton, VA), and Keon Washington (NYC). Vessel drifts through questions of impermanence, love, loss, memory, and the fleeting strangeness of being alive. At once intimate and expansive, the work lingers in the space between meaning and meaninglessness, asking what we carry, what carries us, and what remains as everything changes. Developed t