CD Forum Presents - Showing Out: Contemporary Black Choreographers

Created by Sandra Jackson-Dumont and Donald Byrd, Showing Out is a dance festival to showcase local Black choreographers’ works in progress.

Showing Out: Contemporary Black Choreographers was created by Sandra Jackson-Dumont and Donald Byrd as a festival to showcase local Black choreographers’ works in progress. It provided a space to collaborate, incubate in residencies and rehearsals, and for many was one of the first platforms that invested in their process. This festival has highlighted 23 local artists since its beginning and is now returning to invite two more artists to the legacy. We were able to work with artists over a course of some time through meetings, performances, and taking the artists lead. This was all made possible through funding from City Council with support from Counselmember Mercedes Rinck, Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth, and Councilmember Mark Solomon. 

Local transplant, Yusef Seevers (Detroit, Michigan) has be making noise over at the 5th Ave Theatre and taught weekly West African Dance classes in partnership with CD Forum (2023-2025). After seeing his work in Black Nativity (Intiman Theatre), and Fat Ham (Seattle Rep), we invited him to start his Showing Out process for the next 2 years. 

Jalisa Danielle (New Orleans, Louisiana) is closing our 2023-2026 National Performance Network (NPN) partnership with the west coast premiere of Daughter of a Nymph Divine where she combines poetry, film, dance, ritual, and sound score for a full visceral experience. Jalisa was able to premiere her film at the May 2026 Seattle Black Film Festival in partnership with LANGSTON Seattle. This partnership was made possible through NPN’s Creation Fund. This will be the first time Showing Out has feature and out of town act!

CD Forum has been looking at Showing Out and how to bring more investment, residencies, and partnerships to local artists. We want artists who are relocating or touring here to have a network of Black community and be directed straight to the Central District. We want locals to know that we want to invest in their practice and ideas.  

There will be three chances to witness the works of these brilliant artists November 20th-22nd 7pm in the theater. Our building is ADA accessible from the main entrance located on 17th Ave S. Access to the theater is via elevator.  

104 17th Ave S., Seattle, WA 98144