Ballet Memphis Aims To Broaden The Conversation Around Dance In NYC

New York City's Joyce Theater is playing host to a troupe of dancers whose work has already been hailed as "unorthodox, peculiar, fresh and large-spirited."

Through Nov. 1, Ballet Memphis is presenting six original works that celebrate the diverse culture of Memphis, Tennessee and the surrounding Mississippi Delta for its first appearance in Manhattan since 2007. While this region is not typically associated with classical ballet, the individual works are aimed at "broadening the conversation about our art form," Ballet Memphis founder and artistic director Dorothy Gunther Pugh said in a statement.

"We think it's essential to demonstrate how dance and movement furthers inclusion, curiosity and delight," she said.

Central to the troupe are out dancers Kendall Britt and Travis Bradley, who said that Ballet Memphis honors the heritage of its members by producing work that's uniquely American and "primarily about the city and the culture of the city."

Check out some stunning images of these performers, and more, in action below. Don't miss Ballet Memphis at New York's Joyce Theater through Nov. 1.

Also on HuffPost: