Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre: International Debut of MIMESIS in Washington, D.C.
The Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre brings *MIMESIS* to Washington, D.C. for its international debut, presented by the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. The 75-minute production reimagines eight traditional Korean dance forms through contemporary choreography, music, costumes, lighting, and staging, connecting Korea’s artistic heritage with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the history of Korea–U.S. cultural exchange.
Inspired by the elemental forces of water, wind, earth, lightning, air, sky, fire, and light, *MIMESIS* explores the underlying spirit of traditional dance rather than simply reproducing its established forms. The work draws on archetypal figures from Korean society, including influential women, scholars, shamans, and royalty, and emphasizes movement, breathing, rhythm, gesture, and emotional expression. It premiered in Seoul in 2025 and sold out its performances; this Washington engagement is its first presentation outside Korea.
When: Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Showtime: 8:00 p.m.
Venue: Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004.
Run time: 75 minutes.
Tickets: Free with advance registration.
Performing company: Twenty dancers from the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre will join a 30-member performing company traveling to Washington, D.C.
Dance forms: The production incorporates classical court dance, Hanryangmu, Sogochum, sword dance, Salpuri, Seungmu, shamanic dance, and Taepyeongmu.
Artistic director and choreographer: Hea Joung Yun, a former principal dancer with the National Dance Company of Korea and a designated practitioner of Hanryangmu, recognized as Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 45. Yun has also served as artistic director and resident choreographer of the Gangwon Provincial Dance Company and leads the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre as its artistic director.
Assistant choreographer: Chin Hee Chun.
Dance captains: Kyunga Cho and Taesun Choi.
Music: Insang Yoo.
Costume design: Jiwon Kim.
Lighting: Jeong Tae Kim.
Stage manager: Minjae Lee.
Wardrobe: Mira Byun and Jiyeon Cheon.
Lighting programmer: Hyung Jin Lee.
Production manager: Tae Im Kim.
International cooperation: Hwiyoung Cobb Cho and Hyeri Moon.
Presented by: The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
In collaboration with: The Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre and Warner Theatre.
Produced by: The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre.
About the company: Founded in 1974, the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre is a resident company of Seoul’s Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. It has spent more than five decades preserving and reinterpreting Korean cultural heritage, developing a repertoire that combines traditional dance with contemporary works. The company has represented Korea at events including the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Closing Ceremony and the 1990 Beijing Asian Games Arts Festival, toured internationally, and appeared at festivals such as the Shanghai International Arts Festival. Its signature work, *One Dance*, received the New York Dance and Performance Award, also known as the Bessies.