Come see Emotions Physical Theatre (EPT) as they travel from New York City to Northern Virginia for a premiere performance at the Aurora Dance Festival on April 11th. Taking stage at the Capital One Hall, the company will present a dynamic work that showcases their signature blend of physical theatre and modern-contemporary dance. 

EPT is led by award-winning Artistic Director and Choreographer Shawn Rawls, the company is dedicated to creating active engagement with the audience through narrative-driven works that explore the intersections of psychology, identity, and healing. Rawls, the founder of the Black Boy Healing Project, uses movement to bring discussions to the stage and redefines the narratives around masculinity , vulnerability, and mental health.

About Shawn Rawls

Shawn Rawls is a choreographer, performer, and educator whose work blends hip hop, modern dance, and physical theatre to explore identity, psychology, and healing. He is the founder and artistic director of Emotions Physical Theatre, a company that has toured nationally and internationally, including performances in Rome and Japan.

Rawls holds an MFA in Choreography from Wilson College and a BFA in Dance from Belhaven University, where he studied on full scholarship. His choreographic work has been commissioned by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Roxey Ballet, and Warwick Dance Collective, and presented at venues including Dixon Place, the Actors Fund Arts Center, and the Houston Fringe Festival, where he received the Most Creative Production Award. Additional honors include the Emerging Artist Award from the Rockland Center for the Arts and multiple NYSCA and Arts Alive grants.