ABOUT CULTURE SHOCK INTERNATIONAL

Empowering Through Urban Dance for Over 30 Years

Culture Shock is more than a dance company — we are a global movement. For over three decades, our nonprofit troupes have been dedicated to using the power of Hip-Hop and Street Dance to inspire, educate, and unite people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. We believe dance is a universal language that builds self-worth, dignity, respect, and community.

Our Story: From San Diego to the World

Founded in 1993 in San Diego, California by visionary Dancer Angie Bunch, Culture Shock began with a bold idea: to showcase the raw energy of Hip-Hop on professional stages while staying true to its roots in the community.

What started as a small troupe quickly grew into an international network. By the 2000s, Culture Shock had expanded into major U.S. cities — Los Angeles, Oakland, Las Vegas, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C. — and abroad to Canada (Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Hamilton), Switzerland, London, Portugal, France and Italy. Today, Culture Shock stands as a bridge between the culture and the stage, bringing authenticity and artistry to every performance.

Our Founder: Angie Bunch

Angie Bunch has always believed that dance has the power to transform lives. Trained in Jazz and Musical Theatre and later sponsored as a Nike Elite Dance Athlete, Angie traveled the world teaching fitness and dance before returning home to launch Culture Shock.

Her vision wasn’t just to create a troupe — it was to build a platform for empowerment and inclusion. Under her leadership, Culture Shock pioneered programs for Dancers of all ages, from children (Mini Shock, Mighty Shock and Future Shock) to professionals (Culture Shock) to older adults (Afta Shock). Angie also spearheaded acclaimed productions such as The Hip-Hop Nutcracker and Graffiti Life, cementing Culture Shock as both an artistic and cultural force

What We Do: Programs for Every Dancer

Culture Shock is proud to offer opportunities for dancers of all ages and abilities:

• Mini Shock (ages 6–9) – Building foundations in dance, teamwork, and creativity.
• Mighty Shock (ages 10–13) – Developing confidence and technical skills.
• Future Shock (ages 14–17) – Preparing youth for professional-level performance.
  
• Culture Shock (young adults/professionals) – Showcasing top-tier choreography on major stages.
  
• Afta Shock (ages 25+) – Proving Hip-Hop is for every generation.

Alongside our troupes, we offer:

• Community dance classes – Over 60 weekly classes in San Diego alone.
  
• School & outreach programs – Inspiring youth and underserved communities through workshops.
  
• Professional productions – Full-scale stage shows that combine Hip-Hop with storytelling.

Our Impact

Culture Shock has touched tens of thousands of lives across North America and beyond. In San Diego alone, more than 40,000 people participate annually in our classes and programs. We have graced stages at MTV, NBA/WNBA halftime shows, ESPN-ABC, Nike events, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and international festivals.

But our greatest impact is seen offstage: in the confidence of a child who finds their voice through Dance in the Alumni who carry our values into new communities, and in the generations who discover that Hip-Hop is not just movement — it’s empowerment.

 

A Legacy That Lives On

From a single troupe in 1993 to a thriving international network, Culture Shock has grown into a cultural institution. In 2023, we proudly celebrated 30 years of inspiring change through dance (caps), honoring our roots while looking boldly to the future.

The Future of Culture Shock

As we step into the next chapter, our vision is clear:

• Expand educational programs to make Dance accessible to more communities.
  
• Create new theatrical works — with eyes set on Broadway.
  
• Strengthen international ties, uniting troupes worldwide.
  
• Deepen our outreach, ensuring Hip-Hop continues to uplift and empower.

Our mission remains the same as it was in 1993: to enrich lives, build community, and inspire positive change through the art of Dance.