OSDC Dance Theater

Founded in 2014 by Ukrainian dancer, choreographer, and stage director Olesya Shlyakhtych, OSDC Dance Theater is an independent contemporary dance company she continues to lead today. The company was created out of a desire to develop high-quality Ukrainian modern ballet that can confidently engage with the global avant-garde while also serving as a space for cultivating cultural awareness—both on stage and beyond performance practice. The artistic foundation of OSDC is inspired by the legacy of Berezil Theatre, established by Les Kurbas in Kyiv in the early 20th century and known as the “Theatre of Thought.” This tradition emphasized discipline, intellectual rigor, and the development of a strong artistic language as a means of shaping both artistic form and social consciousness. By working within this framework, OSDC approaches contemporary reality through a historically informed lens while actively engaging with the present. OSDC Dance Theater works primarily in the field of modern ballet with a strong dramatic component, combining contemporary choreography with narrative, symbolism, and theatrical structure. The company’s performances focus on themes of identity, responsibility, memory, and ethical choice, positioning dance as a form of reflection and dialogue rather than pure abstraction.