The Event: Excerpts from a quarter century of Thodos Dance Chicago artistry swirled across Chicago History Museum McCormick Theater stage at the company’s Silver Anniversary gala on Feb. 4. Some 200 supporters attended.
Founded by Evanston-native, Melissa Thodos, the contemporary/modern dance company has been a pioneer in nurturing new talent and inspiring expression through dance education, creation and performance for 25 years. Offering its multi-dimensional dancers opportunities to create their own works as choreographers and directors, the company adds depth and breadth to it’s repertoire.
Cause célebre: “We have a three-part mission,” explained Gail Ford of Chicago, Thodos Dance Chicago executive director. “The dancers that we select come into the company and are able to create, educate and perform, which is unusual for a dance company.”
Thodos outreach and educational programs extend beyond Chicago. “Whenever we go on tour we have residency activities, master classes and phenomenal assembly programs. We just really get into those communities, and we do the same thing here in Chicago,” said Ford.
Along with rigorous dance technique, the ensemble embraces challenging themes. Recently they staged “A Light in the Dark: The Story of Helen Keller & Anne Sullivan” co-choreographed by Melissa Thodos and Tony Award-winning Broadway star, Ann Reinking.
“This company (has) a tendency to go to the heart and soul, and the gut of every issue that exists in an art form like dance,” said Reinking, noting that the company perhaps, “likes the educational part the same as, if not more than, the opportunity to perform.”
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And the reason, according to Michael Anderson of Chicago, choreographer and event co-chairman, is: “You never know what’s inside that dancer. They…might have an amazing sprit or movement quality that you want to nurture or bring out and develop.”
Bottom line: The gala raised $90,000 for Thodos Dance Chicago’s “New Dances,” an in-house choreography series premiering performances July 15 and 16 at Chicago’s Athenaeum Theatre.
At 7:30 p.m. March 11, Thodos Dance Chicago presents “Full Circle,” it’s last performance as an ensemble-based company at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. The program includes a one-time-only performance “The Wheel Trilogy,” by TDC founder and artistic director Melissa Thodos. For tickets, see auditoriumtheatre.org. For more on the new direction of Thodos Dance Chicago, see thodosdancechicago.org.