STEPHEN SHYNES
choreographer | creative director
Stephen Shynes is a visionary choreographer, creative director, performing artist, and film/TV production creative based in New York City. His movement language is deeply rooted in storytelling, cultural resonance, and immersive experiences, amplifying Black voices and exploring themes of identity, liberation, and resilience.
A graduate of Montclair State University’s BFA Dance program and an alumnus of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Stephen’s training spans esteemed institutions such as Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Jones & Haywood, and Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts. His choreographic work spans live performance, film, and multimedia installations, with presentations at venues such as The Public Theater, Movement Research at Judson Church, 92Y Harkness Dance Center, ACE Hotel, Chez Bushwick, NOoSPHERE Arts, Triskelion Arts, and Dance Place, among others. He has participated in residencies and taught at institutions including Medgar Evers College, Shenandoah University, Joffrey Ballet School, and Montclair State University.
As a 2019 CHIRP residency recipient in Jersey City, he founded theLAB by Artists of Color, a platform amplifying underrepresented voices. Through this initiative, he produced Color Stories, a choreographic showcase, and in 2020 premiered It’s BIGGER Than Me, a film examining the Black experience during the pandemic. His film work has been featured in festivals and live performances, including a headlining presentation at the We Are Nature Wildflower Festival alongside the live music ensemble Momentum Humans.
As a performer, Shynes has performed works by renowned artists such as Bill T. Jones, José Limón, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Antonio Brown Dance, Larry Keigwin, André Zachery, Nathan Trice/Rituals, and Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance. He has participated in choreographic residencies and taught at institutions including Medgar Evers College, Shenandoah University, Joffrey Ballet School, Montclair State University, The Apollo Theater, the Martha Graham School, Mark Morris Dance Group, and Tri-C Dance Academy, along with several high schools across the Tri-State area. His teaching philosophy centers on the intersection of movement, cultural identity, and creative exploration, inspiring artists to find their unique voices.
Beyond the stage, Stephen’s expertise extends into creative direction and production. He has led visual projects for recording artists and independent films, serving as a creative director for 12:01 Film and It’s BIGGER Than Me, and has collaborated with music artists such as Nio Levon and vocalist Uncle Roy & Spice.
His television and film credits include POSE (FX) and Helpsters (Apple TV). In 2022, he earned a certification from the Made in NY Production Assistant Training Program, leading to work on sets such as NBC’s The Blacklist, Paramount’s MTV VMAs, Finding Your Roots on PBS, and BLANC Magazine, further deepening his ability to translate movement into dynamic visual storytelling.
Recently, Shynes was awarded the CUNY Dance Initiative residency, during which he developed and performed his evening-length work suRREALIST in NYC theaters while leading master classes. Additionally, he has received the 2025 Choreography Fellowship from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Currently, he is choreographing a new solo work to be presented at Dance Place in Washington, D.C., serving as a teaching artist at The Apollo Theater, and continuing to expand his freelance artistic practice.
Photos by Whitney Browne