Tickets are on sale now for Complexions Contemporary Ballet performance in Des Moines on March 25

7 p.m. March 25, at the Des Moines Civic Center

“Central to our mission is the celebration of diversity and the recognition of the individuality of each dancer.” — Complexions.

Complexions Contemporary Ballet will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at the Des Moines Civic Center, as part of the center’s 2025-26 Dance Series. 

The diverse ballet company, founded 31 years ago, is led by Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, who have taken a “singular approach to reinventing dance and contemporary ballet.” Joe González, 37, is a performing artist and co-associate artistic director at the company. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he has danced with Complexions for five years. 

Read the Q&A with Black Iowa News 

Black Iowa News: What does it feel like when you’re on stage dancing with Complexions?

González: “Dancing on stage with Complexions feels like standing inside a living family. Every artist brings their own history, culture, and truth, and together those voices become one shared conversation. There is a deep sense of trust and connection — like we are holding each other up while telling a collective story through movement.”

Black Iowa News: How is Complexions different from other traditional ballet companies? How has it redefined ballet?

González: “Complexions Contemporary Ballet is different because of its true inclusivity. In today’s climate, the company reflects what it looks like when people of all backgrounds come together, leading with love and respect. What makes it especially powerful is that the choreography honors the artists’ voices — our identities, our experiences and our individuality are part of the creation process. Complexions redefines ballet by showing that the art form is not fixed or exclusive, but alive, evolving and deeply human.”

Black Iowa News: Complexions has an Alvin Ailey lineage and a cadre of 16 dancers. The program includes “For Crying Out Loud,” a raw, unfiltered new work set to U2’s “Songs of Surrender.” Tell me about “For Crying Out Loud.” What will the audience see and feel?

González: “For Crying Out Loud” is set entirely to music by U2 from their album “Songs of Surrender” — a reimagined collection of their iconic work. The piece is painted in rich shades of red and driven by dynamic, emotionally-charged movement. Through expressive choreography by Dwight Rhoden, the work explores unity, vulnerability and love. The audience will see a vision of what the world can be when we come together with compassion — when differences dissolve and humanity moves as one.”

Ticket information.