Thodos Dance Chicago Turns 25
The Event: Excerpts from a quarter century of dance swirled across Chicago History Museum’s McCormick Theater on February 4 before 200 guests at the silver anniversary of Thodos Dance Chicago.
Brainchild of 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, offering its multi-dimensional dancers complete freedom to create their own work also as choreographers and directors.
Cause célèbre: “We have a three-part mission,” explained Gail Ford of 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.”
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 event raised $90,000 for Thodos Dance Chicago’s ‘New Dances,’ an in-house choreography series premiering July 15 and 16 at Chicago’s Athenaeum Theatre.
