Choreographer Shamel Pitts Premieres Ambitious New Dance Work at Power Center

Director Shamel Pitts will present his largest work to date, "Marks of RED," at the Power Center in Ann Arbor on October 3, marking his first production in which he does not perform. The piece draws inspiration from four concepts—butoh, sumo, techno, and womb—to explore themes of Black embodiment, femininity, and divine expression through movement. The performance features six women of color and six designers collaborating to create what Pitts describes as a celebration of relational oneness and the power of Black aliveness.

Pitts' artistic foundation traces back to his childhood in New York, where informal dance experiences within family gatherings shaped his understanding of movement as communal practice. His formal training at LaGuardia High School in dance disciplines provided technical grounding that informed his later interest in how bodies organize space and convey meaning through physical expression.

The production represents a significant expansion of Pitts' creative scope, as stepping away from performing allows him to focus entirely on directorial vision. The collaborative structure—pairing six female dancers of color with six designers—reflects Pitts' philosophy that artistic work achieves full realization through the contributions of its entire team rather than through individual performers alone.