Shawn Fitzgerald Ahern is an American choreographer, director and performer who emphasizes humanity in his work. He believes strongly in the power of collaboration and is known for his visceral, masterful approach to partnering work and for pairing subtle theatricality with dynamic physicality. Following a seven year tenure creating and performing full time with New York City based Pilobolus Dance Theater, he moved to Belgium where he spent four years as a lead performer for and choreographic assistant to Belgian-Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Now based between Paris and Berlin, Shawn is currently engaged as a freelance performer, director and choreographer in diverse projects around the world.

Fitzgerald has contributed to more than thirty major productions across a wide range of
platforms for movement and dance including contemporary theatre, opera, concert dance, music videos and film. Working with Cherkaoui, Pilobolus, Damien Jalet, Marina Abramovic and many other major choreographers and directors, he has performed over one thousand live shows in theaters and opera houses worldwide and his work has been seen on live television, in cinemas, and on screen by millions. His latest choreographic work, Elsewhere, a live contemporary opera composed by Michael Gallen, premiered at the National Theatre of Ireland in November 2021 in Dublin. Counted in the Irish Times’ “Best of 2021”, Elsewhere was lauded by major print media as, “A radical and timely work”, “Fluidly physical”, and, “Beautifully choreographed”. Alongside choreographing, he is currently performing in new touring works by Jalet and Cherkaoui across the globe.

Developing a particular interest in dance for film over the last two years, Shawn has focused his curiosity on cinematic sensibilities; participating in multiple large productions with directors including Greta Gerwig, Joe Wright, and Paul Thomas Anderson. Shawn has been a creative contributor for three Grammy Award nominated dance films (Anima, Thom York/Netflix; All Is Not Lost, OKGo; ApeS**t, The Carters) and an Academy Award winning film (Little Women; Greta Gerwig).

Additionally, in the last year Fitzgerald spearheaded five independent dance for film projects with colleagues across the globe, which have been featured and awarded in major film festivals in North America, the UK, Europe and Asia. His most recent dance film On Mending (co-directed with director/choreographer Emilie Leriche) is set to premiere in Los Angeles in January 2022, followed by it’s NYC premiere in February, presented by Film at Lincoln Center. The film has been selected to be produced into a live work for stage by the Princess Grace Foundation and will premiere in summer ‘22 the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City.