Founded in 1924, the charming and historic Sierra Madre Playhouse advertises itself as “Small Stage, Big World, connecting communities across borders and generations through the Performing and Cinematic Arts,” and they have just announced their 2026 Performance Season featuring 90 programs of theater, music, opera, dance, film, author events and more. Located in the San Gabriel foothills, the 99-seat venue has always offered world-class performances side-by-side with community programs “that celebrate global voices and local stories.” Single and season tickets are on sale now.
Sierra Madre Playhouse at dusk – Photo courtesy of the Sierra Madre Playhouse.
The Sierra Madre Playhouse debuted its dance series in the spring of 2025 under the guidance of Artistic and Executive director Matt Cook and it is wonderful to see that 2026 includes eight of Los Angeles’ leading dance companies. Beginning with Diavolo: Architecture in Motion, the series continues with Thủy Vân Dance Company, L.A. Contemporary Dance Company, Ecos de España, Contra Tiempo, Dancing Storytellers: Indian Mythology and Me, Leela Dance Collective, and concludes with Versa-Style Street Dance Company. Full schedule listed below.
“The 2026 season continues the Playhouse’s transformation into a vibrant, multi-genre home for artistic expression, where every performance, from Irish drama to Indian classical music to hip-hop opera, reveals new avenues of creativity,” states Artistic and Executive Director Matthew Cook. “In a time when audiences crave both belonging and discovery, Sierra Madre Playhouse offers both. Here, art is not distant—it’s shared, up close, and vibrant. Stories, music, and movement turn our stage into a global meeting place where bold programming and meaningful collaborations connect communities across borders and generations.”
Sierra Madre Playhouse at dusk – Photo courtesy of the Sierra Madre Playhouse.
Dance Series Details
DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion® – Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 11 am.
DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion® is a creative movement production company that uses the medium of performance in order to explore the intersection of architecture, innovation, education, and healing. Since 1992, DIAVOLO has been pushing the boundaries of dance, movement and storytelling for audiences around the globe. In more than 250 cities and 14 countries – over 100 million people have witnessed the bold, gravity-defying signature work that is DIAVOLO, including on America’s Got Talent Season 12 and at the 2024 GRAMMYs.
Thủy Vân Dance Company – Photo courtesy of artists.
Thủy Vân Dance Company, Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 4 pm.
Thủy Vân Dance Company (TVDC) is a Southern California–based ensemble dedicated to preserving and celebrating Vietnamese cultural and dance traditions through performance and community engagement. The name Thủy (water/ocean) and Vân (clouds) evokes the harmony of sky and sea—fluidity, movement, and transformation—and reflects the company’s mission to bridge heritage and contemporary expression.
Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company in “INSECTOS: arte y vida” – Choreography by Elías Aguirre – Photo by Noah Jaxson Griffin & Joy Isabella Brown
L.A. Contemporary Dance Company, Friday, March 13 at 8 pm, Saturday, March 14 at 8pm, and Sunday, March 15 at 4 pm.
Experience the pulse and imagination of Los Angeles through the artistry of L.A. Contemporary Dance Company (LACDC)—a performance that transforms the Playhouse’s intimate stage into a space of movement, emotion, and connection.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, LACDC is a Los Angeles–based ensemble known for bold physicality, emotional clarity, and a spirit of collaboration that mirrors the city it calls home. Under the artistic direction of Jamila Glass, a founding company member who stepped into the role in 2021, LACDC continues to expand its vision of contemporary dance as both athletic and deeply human.
Ecos de España – Photo courtesy of the artist.
Ecos de España, Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 11 am.
Experience the vibrant spirit of Spain through Ecos de España, a stunning blend of Spanish classical music and flamenco dance featuring acclaimed artists Paco Arroyo (guitar) and Yolanda Arroyo (dance & song). Together, they bring centuries of tradition to life with passion, rhythm, and elegance.
The performance journeys through the heart of Spanish culture—from the haunting melodies of classical guitar to the powerful expression of flamenco footwork and castanet percussion. Dancer and educator Susan Elena introduces audiences to the art form’s history and meaning, inviting participation through rhythm, clapping, and simple dance movements.
CONTRA-TIEMPO – (L to R) Ruby Morales, Maria Garcia, Kati Hernandez, Jannet Galdamez, Jasmine Stanley in “¡azúcar!” – Photo by Tyrone Domingo.
CONTRA-TIEMPO, Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 2pm and again at 8 pm.
CONTRA-TIEMPO is a bold, Los Angeles-based activist dance theatre company that fuses Salsa, Afro-Cuban, hip-hop, and contemporary dance into a physical language of joy, resistance, and storytelling. Founded by choreographer and educator Ana María Álvarez, the company harnesses the social power of dance to reimagine community and celebrate cultural identity through movement, rhythm, and collective expression.
Their performances are kinetic and deeply human—an ensemble of extraordinary artists who dance not only with precision, but with purpose. Each work draws from lived experience and social dialogue, transforming the stage into a space of connection and reflection. Music, spoken word, and percussive body movement intertwine to create pieces that are as emotionally charged as they are visually stunning.
Dancing Storytellers: Indian Mythology and Me, Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 11 am.
Dancing Storytellers brings Indian myths to life through a vivid blend of classical South Asian dance, folk movement, theater, rhythm, and playful audience engagement. Their performance, Indian Mythology and Me, weaves together three unforgettable stories—Bheema’s meeting with Hanuman, the clever mice who outwit an elephant queen, and the powerful tale of Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura. Each story is told through expressive gesture, dynamic choreography, and the artists’ signature style of conversational storytelling.
The experience is fully interactive. Performers move through the space, inviting children to step into the story with them, try out movement and gestures, and become part of the world onstage. The result is a performance that feels both theatrical and deeply personal, connecting ancient narratives to the everyday lives of young audiences.
Leela Dance Collective with Salastina – California Festival: Encounters with Beauty – Photo by Margo Moritz.
Leela Dance Collective, Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 4 pm.
Leela Dance Collective is a Los Angeles–based dance company devoted to the classical North Indian dance form kathak—honoring its roots while pushing the form into new expressive territory. Led by co-artistic directors Rukhmani Mehta, Seibi Lee, and Rachna Nivas, the company blends the rich craft of kathak’s fast-paced footwork, pirouettes, and expressive storytelling with contemporary collaboration and cross-genre innovation.
Established in 2016, Leela works not only on stage but as a cultural force: they train emerging dancers, bring kathak into educational settings, and create works that speak to today’s diverse audiences. Their repertoire ranges from traditional solo kathak pieces to full-length dance dramas and interdisciplinary programs that integrate music, theatre, and movement.
Versa-Style Dance Company – Photo by John Nyboer/Nyboer Photography.
Versa-Style Street Dance Company, Friday/Saturday, September 18 and 19 at 8 pm and Sunday, September 20 at 4 pm.
Versa-Style is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and dance ensemble that consists of committed and conscientious artists representing the diversity and beautiful complexity of Los Angeles. Founded in 2005 by Los Angeles natives and co-artistic directors Jackie Lopez aka Miss Funk and Leigh Foaad aka Breeze-lee, Versa-Style Street Dance Company was created to promote, empower and celebrate the artistry of Hip Hop and street dance culture. Named “Los Angeles’ Best Dance Troupe for Hip Hop Empowerment” by LA Weekly, Versa-Style is recognized for its electrifying performances and inspiring engagement activities for schools and local communities. Consisting of committed, highly skilled street dance artists and educators representative of the diversity and beautiful complexity of Los Angeles, Versa-Style Street Dance Company harnesses the exhilarating energy of street dance onto the concert stage for an unforgettable evening of dance.
This article focuses on Dance, but there is so much more taking place at the Sierra Madre Playhouse – Theater, Music, Film, Authors, Opera, and more. For more information and to purchase season subscriptions, create-your-own packages, and single tickets, please visit their website or call (625) 355-4318.
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Contra-Tiempo – Roots – Photo by Bailey Holiver.
