There is a belief that modeling is just looking good in front of a camera. Ask a model, and you will be sadly mistaken for that perception. Millions of new and fresh faces enter the world of modeling annually. Many fashion models never reach the status of “supermodel”, but they make their mark – influenced by the glam industry. Some become make-up artists, others learn “the business” through the administrative side. DC Choreographer and Artistic Director of Dissonance Dance Theatre, Shawn Short, understands this notion. Before the days of the annual DC Fashion Week, and walks through Dior and Chanel shops at City Center DC, Shawn graced the covers of local publications, worked with local fashion and commercial photographers, and walked the runways for international and national designers. A former model from the Washington, DC area, Shawn Short decided to use his love of beauty and creativity to produce theatrical magic and timeless works of art through his skills in dance and later in photography.
Rural Cheraw, SC was where Short first began life. Reared in the Washington, DC area, Shawn was born to a Marine father and a working-class mother. An active child who enjoyed soccer, bikes, and “freeze tag” games with neighborhood buddies, Short was a “full of life” and curious young boy. Shawn studied classical and jazz music, and dance during his developmental years.
A Model Is Born
Starting his modeling journey during his late teens, Short started his career auditioning for local fashion shows and casting agencies. At that time in DC, Shawn decided to participate in a model call for internationally-acclaimed fashion show producer, Harvey Star Washington. Washington accepted Shawn’s new face and provided him with thoughtful guidance – pushing him to gain his model essentials – images. Short acquired his fundamental images through Ceasar Photography and began his journey. Casting agencies favored Shawn’s look. He received callbacks from John Casablancas modeling agency, meeting and working with Ean Williams (now CEO of DC Fashion Week and Chief Designer of Corjor International). Shawn became a familiar face in William’s early Corjor fashion shows that featured emerging and seasoned designers. Through regular designer “go-sees”, fashion and commercial photographic assignments, and regular attendance to DC’s annual fashion events, Short worked with Shaka King NYC, Eric Finn, Andrew Nowell, Reiss, Barney’s NYC, Roy Cox, John Finegersh, Liang Zhang, Universal Gear, and Hechts Dept Stores.
After participating in a DC fashion event honoring Andre Leon Talley, Short embarked on the New York City fashion scene. In 2000, Short went to New York City to pursue a career as a dancer and model. According to the Stephen A. Maglott Ubuntu Biography Project, Shawn received encouragement from the Grace Del Marco and Boss Model agencies, but no solid employment opportunities in dance or modeling. In Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood, Short encountered the then-cover model on Honey Magazine. She advised Short to consider additional pursuits with his many talents since modeling is a female-dominated industry. Short knew he wanted to make change happen in his home of Washington, DC. Going back to school was again his focus, and Short returned to Washington.
Howard University becomes Short’s newest adventure in 2001, but his journey to NYC ignites new motivation. Through hard work and diligence, Short becomes a print model for established local publications. Shawn became the first cover model for Metro Weekly Magazine’s first and only fashion issue. Metro Weekly (MW), is a weekly DC publication circulating to more than 45,000 DC area readers since 1994. Short finished his Bachelor in Theater Arts, focusing in Musical Theater, graduating from Howard in 2005 while he continued performing off-campus in dance ensembles.
Developing His Dance Talent
In a little dance studio in College Park, MD – on the end of an industrial street behind a large laundry mat – Short began his dance journey. The studio, Starting Point, was owned by Sharon Werth and provided Shawn with a place to start taking initial dance classes. A work-study student, Shawn was provoked by a male ballet teacher to take his class. The teacher was Adrian Vincent James, the first African-American male ballet dancer of the Houston Ballet. His love of dance began to take flight.
From his humble beginnings, Short began his climb from initial dance training to becoming a professional dancer. After training with dance professionals from Lines Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Washington Ballet, and more, Short performed with El Teatro De Danza Contemporanea El Salvador, Bolton/Smith, Dance Alloy, and K2 Dance.
To make a larger impact on his community outside of performing, Short focused his attention on building professional dance arts in the Washington, DC area through education and producing.
He became a founding faculty member of Washington Ballet @THEARC – Washington Ballet’s south side outreach program, the former head of dance at Adventure Theatre-Musical Theatre Center (Washington DC’s oldest running children’s theatre), and a former professor of classical ballet at the Catholic University of America (the first African-American ballet professor).
In 2007, Short founded Dissonance Dance Theatre – the only nationally-recognized, Black-managed contemporary ballet company between NYC and ATL. “One of the 11 small-but-mighty dance companies outside of LA and NYC” by Dance Spirit Magazine, Dissonance Dance Theatre (DDT) became a program under Ngoma Center for Dance in 2012. DDT (now 15 years old), and Ngoma (now 10 years old) were both founded by Short. DDT has now toured nationally, and has more than 120 dance works in its repertoire – Short is also the Principal Choreographer.
Photography in Focus
A performer without an audience is never a good look. Short understood this and worked tirelessly in DDT’s early years to increase the company’s visibility. He enlisted professional Russian photographer Sergey Apasov of Persikov Photography to insist him with his vision. Short becomes Apasov’s photoshoot assistant and apprentice for five years – learning photography techniques, casting talent, styling looks and learning contractual agreements. Short’s learning had come to an end with Apasov, as he began to seek further photographic education.
Short completed his MFA in Dance with coursework in graphic design, and film from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Additionally, Short completed workshops from notable photographers Lindsay Adler, Clay Patrick McBride, Rocco Ancora, and Photoshop guru, Aaron Nace. These newfound skills garnered Short the ability to present Dissonance Dance Theatre, photographically, the way he wanted.
Moreover, Short’s photography work has been featured in Metro Weekly Magazine, the Washington Blade Newspaper, Dance Magazine, and the now-defunct Ngoma Reader Magazine. He is the House Photographer for Dissonance Dance Theatre and the author of Timeless Dance. Remixed. an exceptional collection of images showcasing the range, beauty, and artistry of Dissonance Dance Theatre. Through his tenacity and drive, Short has been able to archive his legacy and work of countless dancers, choreographers, and backstage professionals that would’ve otherwise been forgotten – providing tangible examples of artistic gems that will be shared with admirers for generations.
Carrying The Torch
Currently, Washington, DC has very few professional Black-managed dance companies on its roster. Again, Short manages the only Black-managed contemporary ballet company. According to Ngoma’s website, there have been 37 Black dance company entities since 1932 – started by HU alumnae Bernice Hammond – and only five remain.
Ultimately, a DC model with dreams, realizes he was more than a handsome face. Shawn’s love for fashion might’ve lured him to the entertainment world, but his love of community and art had more value to him than a designer’s sample rack sale. Short decided to use his love of beauty and creativity, to produce a place for artists that creates theatrical magic and timeless works of art. The model has found a place to marry his passions, dance and photography.
