Announcement: CRB's 2020 Spring Repertoire

World Premieres and an exciting company revival will light up CRB’s stage in 2020.

Chicago Repertory Ballet’s Spring performances will feature 3 world premiere works and an exciting company revival.

“Immortal Beloved” - Choreography by Mariana Oliveira

Set to the music of Ludwig Van Beethoven, “Immortal Beloved” this world premiere work will explore themes of love and loss, inspired by events from the composer’s life

“Untitled” - Choreography by Wade Schaaf

This world premiere world examines the themes of connection and lack there of in a complex world.

“All You Need Is…” - Choreography by Taylor Mitchell

CRB is excited to premiere this work by Taylor Mitchell. This charming and humorous satire based on the theme of love is sure to delight.

Le Sacre Du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) - Choreography by Wade Schaaf

Based on the scheme from the original production, CRB will revive and rework this critically acclaimed ballet, not seen since 2013. In this ballet we see a fictitious tribe and their ghastly ritual… human sacrifice. This ballet is not for the faint of heart!

(Rating PG - 13)

Mark your calendars for this exciting performance April 3, 4, 5 at Chicago’s Historic Athenaeum Theatre. Information on tickets, performance time and more to come!

Summer @ Chicago Repertory Ballet

Summer at CRB is always a time of planning and preparation. Check out what we’ve been up to!

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Stream Macbeth for the entire month of July!

Choreography by Wade Schaaf Costume Design by Nathan Rohrer Lighting Design by Sarah Lackner Projection Design by John Pobojewski/THIRST Design

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CRB’s Summer Intensive is July 29th- August 2nd. There are still places avaliable for dancers between the ages of 13-19.

[More Information]

SAVE THE DATE: Our fall gala will be held on Saturday September 14th at 6:30pm. Mark your calendar for one incredible night of drinks, dancing, and fun

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Want to support CRB today? Donating is simple!

Just click the button below and go straight to the donation page on our website.

Meet the Players: Luis Vazquez

In our Macbeth “Meet the Players” series, we’re interviewing the cast of our upcoming production. Get to know all the players you’ll see on stage in our ballet adaptation of ‘The Scottish Play’ March 29, 30 and 31 at the Athenaeum Theatre.

CRB: Why don’t you Tell the readers a little about yourself?

Luis: “I'm a born and raised Chicagoan, and I keep finding new things I love about the city. Specifically, the dance community here is so welcoming and supportive to one another. Dancers from different companies take classes together, and the artists in the community are constantly supporting one another by attending shows, and collaborating on projects.”

CRB: What are your thoughts about the ballet Macbeth?

Luis:” I think Macbeth lends itself perfectly to be adapted into a ballet. Themes of power, despair, love, and triumph fill the story and translate beautifully into movement. As artist director, Wade has given us a clear blueprint to follow but also gives us artistic liberty to fill in the lines and make the role our own; which as a dance artist makes the process much more fulfilling.”

CRB: What about your role as a witch in the show?

Luis: “It's been so much fun playing the part of a witch while rehearsing Macbeth. Wade has adapted a lot of the original movement to something that works in my body, which makes the role even more special to perform. Plus I'm obsessed with magic and anything fantasy, so I've been mentally preparing for this role for years.”

CRB: Anything else you’d like to hare?

Luis: Not a show to be missed!

See Luis and the rest of this incredible cast of performers on March 29, 30 and 31st at The Athenaeum Theatre. Get your tickets today!

Meet the Players: Christine Janak

In our Macbeth “Meet the Players” series, we’re interviewing the cast of our upcoming production. Get to know all the players you’ll see on stage in our ballet adaptation of ‘The Scottish Play’ March 29, 30 and 31 at the Athenaeum Theatre.

CRB: Tell us a little bit about yourself, and how long you’ve been with the company.

Christine: “This is my second year with the company. In my spare time I enjoy shooting photography1”

CRB: What are your thoughts about this ballet adaptation of Macbeth?

Christine: “This show will give you goosebumps.”

CRB: Do you have any anecdotes to share?

Christine: “*spoiler alert* I get to portray a variety of roles in Macbeth from tree-soldier, to witch, party guest, to McDuff Child. I really enjoy getting to try out all the diffrent personas and their movement quality. Because of my experience with more pantomime theater, I have trouble with subtlety and usually get the feedback to BE the role rather than Show it. Well one day in rehearsal I really got it right. I was so thrilled to have one of my characters right the first time. "Christine" Wade said, "You really know how to 'Die' you could put that on your resume, 'excellent at dramatic death'."

See Christine and the rest of this incredible cast of performers on March 29, 30 and 31st at The Athenaeum Theatre. Get your tickets today!

Meet the Players: Felicity Lyon

In our Macbeth “Meet the Players” series, we’re interviewing the cast of our upcoming production. Get to know all the players you’ll see on stage in our ballet adaptation of ‘The Scottish Play’ March 29, 30 and 31 at the Athenaeum Theatre.

CRB: How long have you been with the company and what role do you play in Macbeth?

Felicity: “This is my first season with the company. I play Banquo.”

CRB: What are your thoughts on the ballet of Macbeth?

Felicity: “This ballet is such an exciting adaptation of the well-known story. The intensely emotional subject matter: ambition, greed, power, betrayal, guilt- lends itself beautifully to movement, and Wade’s choreography and contemporary staging breathes new life into a classic.”

CRB: What are your thoughts about playing Banquo in the show?

Felicity: “Working on Macbeth has been a treat for me in so many ways. Having the opportunity to dance a traditionally “male” role has given me a chance to literally and figuratively flex some new muscles, and exploring the tragic emotional journey of Banquo throughout the ballet has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding.”

See Felicity and the rest of this incredible cast of performers on March 29, 30 and 31st at The Athenaeum Theatre. Get your tickets today!

Meet the Players: Carley Klebba

In our Macbeth “Meet the Players” series, we’re interviewing the cast of our upcoming production. Get to know all the players you’ll see on stage in our ballet adaptation of ‘The Scottish Play’ March 29, 30 and 31 at the Athenaeum Theatre.

CRB: How long have you been with the company, and what role fo you play in Macbeth?

Carley: “This is my 5th season with the company, and I play one of the Weird Sisters/Witch”

CRB: What are some of your thoughts about Macbeth?

Carley: “It’s been interesting to revisit MacBeth and dig back into the characters, storytelling, and choreography. I was a part of the original cast when CRB first performed the ballet, but this time around I am performing a different role. I personally have had quite a bit of freedom to explore my character and even embody it a bit differently than the last cast. The Weird Sisters were originally a female pair but this time around I share the role with Luis. Creating new pas de deux moments this season, as well as figuring out our relationship to one another has been a bit of an exploration throughout the process, but I feel like we’ve managed to created some really interesting characters that help the story unfold.”

CRB: What about your time at CRB these past 5 years?

Carley: “So many memories have been made over the years! I can honestly say that I really enjoy working with everyone that Wade chooses to be in the room year after year, even as the company has changed over time. Everyone has something unique to bring to the table, but can work well as a group. It’s an amazing group of dancers and people to be surrounded with and to be a part of.”

CRB: What might the readers of this interview not know about you?

Carley: “As soon as summer rolls around you’ll find me outside in my kayak, or on my paddle board with a fishing pole in my hand!”

See Carley and the rest of this incredible cast of performers on March 29, 30 and 31st at The Athenaeum Theatre. Get your tickets today!

Meet the Players: Michelle Meltzer

In our Macbeth “Meet the Players” series, we’re interviewing the cast of our upcoming production. Get to know all the players you’ll see on stage in our ballet adaptation of ‘The Scottish Play’ March 29, 30 and 31 at the Athenaeum Theatre.

CRB: What roles do you play in Macbeth?

Michelle: “Lady MacDuff, a witch and a sleepwalker in the hand washing scene.”

CRB: Do you have any hobbies outside of dance?

Michelle: “I recently started my own blog and podcast with a great friend of mine called Fuelpointe! It is all about nutrition, regeneration, career paths, and cross-training for dancers. It has become a hobby and passion-project that I can do inaddition to my dancing and teaching Pilates.”

CRB: What are your thoughts on this production of Macbeth?

Michelle: “This contemporary portrayal of Macbeth will be sure to entertain. With visual projections, minimalist stage design, and original costume design. It is sure to be a culmination of art to be admired. “

CRB: Do you have any CRB anecdotes you’d like to share?

Michelle: “In the scene in Macbeth where Banquo is killed by the witches, the witch that kills him stands up and kicks the now-dead Banquo. When this scene was being set, Wade mentioned that the witch should kick him like he was trash. Another dancer and I now have a moment in every run, where at that moment in the scene, we turn to each other and whisper the word "trash" very dramatically. We get a great giggle out of it!”

See Michelle and the rest of this incredible cast of performers on March 29, 30 and 31st at The Athenaeum Theatre. Get your tickets today!

Preview: Splash Magazine

Enjoy this wonderful preview of Macbeth by Debra Davy from Splash Magazine!

Meet the Players: Eliza Weekley

In our Macbeth “Meet the Players” series, we’re interviewing the cast of our upcoming production. Get to know all the players you’ll see on stage in our ballet adaptation of ‘The Scottish Play’ March 29, 30 and 31 at the Athenaeum Theatre.

CRB: How long have you been with CRB and what role do you play in Macbeth?

Eliza: “This is my third season with the company. In Macbeth, I play a MacDuff child, a sleep walker and a witch.”

CRB: What are some of your thoughts about Macbeth:

Eliza: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working on this show. I think that it is quite unique and ground breaking. Not many ballet companies produce shows that have modern and ballet woven together in this way. It is also very unusual to have men and women performing what would traditionally be each other's roles. It's current yet traditional. I'd like to think that's just the way Shakespeare would have wanted it.”

CRB: Do you have any memories to share about CRB?

Eliza: “Macbeth was actually the first show that I ever saw CRB perform, so it's very cool to be part of the production this time around!”

See Eliza and the rest of the cast in The Scottish Play March 29, 30 and 31 at the Athenaeum Theatre. Buy your tickets TODAY!

Meet the Players: Mauricio Fernandez

In our Macbeth “Meet the Players” series, we’re interviewing the cast of our upcoming production. Get to know all the players you’ll see on stage in our ballet adaptation of ‘The Scottish Play’ March 29, 30 and 31 at the Athenaeum Theatre.

CRB: How long have you been with the company, and what role fo you play in Macbeth?

Mauricio: “This is my first season. In Macbeth I play the role of MacDuff.”

CRB: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Mauricio: “I’m originally from Puebla, Mexico. Also, I’m also a tap dancer. I love teaching both ballet and tap. Traveling is one of my favorite things in the world, and I love to eat wings!”

CRB: So how have you found your first season at CRB?

Mauricio: “This has been my first season with the company and I’m just really happy to be part of such a wonderful organization where everyone from the direction to all the dancers have welcomed me with open arms. It’s great to work with people that support each other.”

CRB: What are your thoughts on CRB’s Macbeth?

Mauricio: “I have really enjoyed the whole process of learning the ballet not just because of the intricate choreography but also because of the powerful plot and getting to see all the characters come to life from the witches to Macbeth and of course getting to understand my character Macduff. I think the audience is in for a treat and they will leave wanting more!”

CRB: What has your personal journey been like with the company?

Mauricio: “This has been my first season with the company and I’m just really happy to be part of such a wonderful organization where everyone from the direction to all the dancers have welcomed me with open arms. It’s great to work with people that support each other.”

See Mauricio and the rest of these wonderful artists in Macbeth, March 29, 30 and 31 at the Athenaeum Theatre. Purchase your tickets TODAY!