News

On November 25, at 16.00, Stephen Shropshire will publicly defend his dissertation in the Academy Building at Leiden University. Earlier that day, at 11.00, he presents his choreography 'Stabat Mater' to the doctoral examination committee.

Shropshire’s research is a consideration of choreography in and through the classical ballet jump. Central to its inquiry is the question “How to Jump?” which is used literally and metaphorically to think through how and why he makes dance.

In his dissertation, Shropshire argues that choreography’s significance lies in its capacity to challenge the habit of movement. It allows us to imagine movement as it might be, rather than holding on to movement as it is or always was. Most importantly, he argues, choreography allows us to do this together.

Shropshire supports this argument through the systematic consideration of a classical ballet jump, through metaphorical speculation from his experience as a choreographer, and the literal process of making a new dance.

PERFORMANCE STABAT MATER
25 November 2026 at 11.00
Het Leidse Volkshuis
Apothekersdijk 33, Leiden
Due to limited seating capacity at the venue, we kindly ask you to contact stephen@stephenshropshire.com to indicate your interest in attending the performance.

PUBLIC DEFENSE STEPHEN SHROPSHIRE
25 November 2026 at 16.00
Great Auditorium
Academy Building at Leiden University
Rapenburg 73, Leiden

SUPERVISORS
Prof. dr. Janneke Wesseling, Professor Emeritus in Practice and Theory of Research in the Visual Arts, Academy of Creative and Performing Arts, Leiden University.
Dr. Thijs Witty, Assistant Professor, Centre for the Arts in Society, Leiden University.
Dr. Suzan Tunca, dance researcher, head of ICK Academy, Amsterdam.