Born in Houston, TX, Lauren Anderson rose from the streets of Third Ward to become the first Black Principal Dancer of the Houston Ballet. However, this ascension did not happen without its challenges. Between the internal pressures of a single-parent home, her tumultuous romantic relationships- often centered in abuse, and her addiction to alcohol and cocaine, she tried every path to find a coping mechanism for processing her own doubts about her body and worthiness. While that would be the end of many stories, she emerged on the other side sober and with a deeper connection to serving her community.  Plumshuga is a choreopoem that allows the audience share an intimate conversation with Anderson as she breaks the fourth wall to discuss her greatest trials and successes by reliving  them in moments of dance. This unique blend of poetic lyricism and dance offers a more vivid and intimate look into her rise and impact as ballet royalty.

Choreographed by Harrison Guy, director and founder of Urban Souls Dance Company, and Stanton Welch, Artistic Director of the Houston Ballet, the production comes alive to music composed by the incomparable Jasmine Barnes and Mouton herself. 

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This collaboration between Mouton and Anderson was workshopped through a generous award from Dance Source Houston and a warm-hearted donation from the Pasoli Foundation and Community Arts Collective. It is one of two projects between the powerhouse pair. In addition to this theater work, the two are working together to co-author Anderson's upcoming memoir of the same name.

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