Thodos Presents New Choreographers In New Dances
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 17, 2014 7:00PM
Photo by Cheryl Mann.
This weekend marks the 14th year of Thodos Dance Chicago’s choreography series, New Dances. The series is unique in its approach to cultivating and supporting new choreographers by giving them free reign and full responsibility over their own production. They’re in charge of everything from choreographing the piece itself to scheduling rehearsals, all while staying within their granted budget.
Making up the nine TDC ensemble members presenting new works this year are: John Cartwright, Annie Deutz, Tenley Dorrill, Kyle Hadenfeldt, Brandon Harneck, Jon Sloven, Alissa Tollefson, Diana Winfree and Lauren Zimmerer. “As an artist, New Dances gives us many challenges and opportunities,” Cartwright says. It’s a chance for these artists to push themselves creatively with the support and and visibility of the series. Also providing creative guidance is a panel of dance professionals from the area including Brock Clawson, a former Thodos Dancer himself who got his choreographing start with New Dances, among others.
Many choreographers participating in this series go on to further success in the field, including Clawson. He recently saw one of his pieces, Crossing Ashland, added to the Joffrey Ballet repertoire, making him the first true local artist presented by the company in more than a decade. We spoke to him about the honor back in February.
From the geometric lines of Harneck’s CO- to Cartwright’s romantically contentious Flawed we’ll see a lot of different styles presented this weekend as the artists explore their talents and inspirations. The program will also include work from a guest choreographer, as is tradition at New Dances. This year the honor goes to Kristina Isabelle, artistic director of Kristina Isabelle Dance Company, with a piece called Innerscapes.
New Dances performances run this Friday through Sunday, July 18-20, at Ruth Page Center for the Arts (1016 N. Dearborn St.). The performance schedule varies slightly day to day, so check TDC’s website for showtimes. Tickets are $35, $28 for students, $20 industry, $10 children.