Founded in 2022 by Colombian-American choreographer Brian Josiah Martinez, Boykin Dance Project (BDP) is a Chicago-based contemporary dance company dedicated to creating work that bridges communities through collaboration, curiosity, and care. Each season brings together a diverse roster of artists to co-create with BDP’s ensemble, resulting in performances that highlight the individuality of each dancer while reflecting a collective spirit.

See Chicago Dance described Boykin as “a new company whose motives are as lofty as their movements” and praised its “phenomenal dancing and philanthropic spirit.” Since its inception, Boykin has collaborated with acclaimed choreographers including Justin Rapaport (Ballet BC), Noelle Kayser (Northwest Dance Project, PARA.MAR Dance Theatre), Abdiel Figueroa Reyes (Hubbard Street Dance Chicago), and Meredith Sutton, among others.

Known for its rich physicality, theatrical nuance, and cinematic approach to movement, Boykin produces one major performance annually alongside workshops, educational initiatives, and creative intensives. The company’s process is rooted in dialogue—inviting dancers to contribute, question, and reshape movement within a shared space of discovery.

In 2025, Boykin launched its Strategic Access Initiative, a new model for accessibility and arts education. Through this program, the company develops cinematic recordings of its live performances paired with curriculum-aligned educational materials designed for high school and university dance programs. These resources aim to expand access to contemporary dance beyond traditional stages, empowering the next generation of artists and audiences alike.

Boykin Dance Project continues to champion collaboration, innovation, community, and artistic rigor—making space for movement, and for everyone within it.