Artist Spotlight: Dancer Christopher Kelley

WE CAUGHT UP WITH COMPANY DANCER CHRISTOPHER KELLEY (they/them, he/him) TO HEAR SOME OF THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT THEIR WORK AT CRB, RECOVERING FROM A GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND SO MUCH MORE!

CRB: Tell us about your journey with Chicago Repertory Ballet.

Christopher: “My path to CRB started on a whim when I was rehearsing another project at Dovetail in the winter of 2020 right before the pandemic. A friend I was rehearsing with told me I should go take company class because Wade was looking for a dancer for the season and I started rehearsing The Rite of Spring that afternoon! I was primarily a dancer in more Jazz/ theatrical style, but I've always been drawn the the challenge of classical ballet. Dancing with the company has been a dream come true and I can't wait to see it finally come to life.”

CRB: What are some of your thoughts about this season’s repertoire?

Christopher: “I enjoy that this season were tackling a little bit of everything. The jazzy, technical choreography of Anderson Sweet will satisfy anyone looking for some tricky pointe work and musicality. Immortal Beloved has some of the most beautiful partnering I've ever seen. Taylor's piece (what I'm most excited to dance) is irreverent and playful and perfectly compliments all of the other pieces that evening and something as epic and angsty as Rite of Spring is a challenge for all of us in the best way.”

CRB: What was the quarantine experience like for you?

Christopher: “I used most of quarantine to really go back to the basics with my technique. I was riding such a high last winter that when everything was taken away, I was so worried I would lose of the progress I had made. I took out all of the furniture in my living room, bought a few slabs of Marley and cheap wall mirrors from target and turned my apartment into a studio. I started taking ballet classes really late in life and have always felt like I was playing catch up. This time alone has been tough, very challenging mentally, but I actually have really appreciated having a moment to take time to myself. I restarted from square one and took my time focusing on the details I had missed over the years.”

CRB: Do you have a cross-training routine?

Christopher: “I swear by Bikram Yoga. Terrible man, excellent workout.”

CRB: What 5 things in your dance bag are vital?

Christopher: “Tiger Balm, bouncy ball, headphones, dried Mangos, more dried Mangos.”

CRB: Do you have a favorite CRB memory?

Christopher: “I loved going to Kalamazoo to perform Taylor's piece with the company. As the new dancer around, it was lovely to spend the drive and the down time getting to know everyone while we weren't dancing.”

CRB: Any hobbies?

Christopher: “During quarantine, I developed a love for the quiet practice of making myself a big meal. I used to hate cooking, but after taking some time to figure it out, it's the thing that calms me down the most now!”

CRB: Do you have a favorite piece to dance?

Christopher: “Anderson Sweet: living those classical dreams!:”

Come and see Christopher perform in The Rite of Spring along with the rest of the company July 23 -25. Get your tickets below!

Artist Spotlight: Dancer Eliza Weekley

We caught up with company dancer Eliza Weekley (she/her) to hear some of her thoughts about her work at CRB, recovering from a global pandemic and so much more!

CRB: Tell us a little bit about your journey with the company Eliza?

Eliza: “This will be my fourth season with the company! I think it was a combination of things that drew me to CRB. I first met Wade back when I was studying at The Joffrey Academy of Dance, they were my modern teacher. I always really enjoyed their style of movement and the energy they brought to the studio. One day they were talking about their ballet company and how they were going to be putting on their world premiere of Macbeth. So I decided to go see the performance and I was hooked! I could definitely see myself dancing with CRB at some point. After that year Wade and I lost contact for a bit, either I couldn't make it to auditions for CRB or had other projects I was committed too. Eventually, however, the stars aligned and I was able to reconnect with Wade and join CRB as an apprentice in 2018.”

CRB: What are some of your thoughts about this season’s repertoire?

Eliza: “I am unbelievably excited for this season's rep and the upcoming performances! 2020 was definitely quite the rollercoaster of a year and by the end of the year after we had to push back the dates of our performances again and again, I had come to terms with the fact that I was probably never going to get to perform this rep. I was just going to have to enjoy the fact that I had such incredible experiences working with all the choreographers and dancers in the rehearsal process. Now that we are in fact getting to perform this rep I am loving every minute of getting to revisit these pieces and dive even deeper into them after having so much time to reflect.”

CRB: Will you are a little bit about your experience of navigating dance in the midst of a pandemic and your recovery process?

Eliza: “It was interesting to say the least. I feel as if I managed to get in and out of shape at least four times throughout the pandemic. As hard as it was sometimes, in some ways having that time and space away from the studio and the arduous day to day-ness of it all actually helped me through some burn out I wasn't even aware that I was having. When the pandemic really hit the whole dance community came together and there were suddenly so many options to take class online. So even though dancing in my kitchen was really not ideal, it suddenly opened up this whole opportunity for dance to be just for me again. It was no longer a "you must go to class and dance all the time to achieve these set goals" mentality because I was suddenly under no such obligation. Of course those thoughts still lingered in the back of my mind, but the focus had shifted to a much more personal level. I was dancing again because it brought me joy not because it was something I felt obligated to do. So when we started being able to go back into the studios there was definitely a greater level of appreciation for all the space I was allowed to move around in again and the people I was allowed to move around with.”

CRB: A lot of dancers have a cross-training regimen for when they’re not in the studio. Do you have one?

Eliza: “Over the years I've been through a lot of physical therapy for various injuries so I've cultivated my own routine based on exercises I've been given through that while also incorporating some yoga and pilates that I've learned as well.”

CRB: Name 5 things in your dance bag that you can not live without.

Eliza: “Water bottle, tennis ball, theraband, a small towel, and ballet shoes”

CRB: Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve danced over the years?

Eliza: “My favorite CRB piece to dance has probably been Tenley Dickey's "All the things you are". It was one of the first pieces I got to perform as a part of CRB and her style and musicality was just so unique. Her piece was so challenging to dance but when it came time to perform it, it was so rewarding. It was some of the most fun I've had getting to dance on stage.”

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See Eliza and the rest of the company in “The Rite of Spring and Other Works” July 23 -25 at Cricket Hill on Montrose Harbor.

Dancer Training Program Instructor Profile: Dionna PridGeon

Dionna is. . . is an Independent artist, originally from Chicago; She has also resided in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, & New York. She is the Founder & Creative Director of moveDIPR and holds 17 years of experience in Dance Education/Choreography. She started her teaching journey on faculty at The Lou Conte Dance Studio| Hubbard Street Dance Center & has served on faculty at 11 other prestigious facilities, including Visceral Dance Center, The Ailey Extension, Steps on Broadway, The Joffrey Ballet School/Academy, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, plus more. Dionna has also taught in Montreal, Norway, and Germany & her contemporary class has been featured in Dance Magazine.

In her early years, Dionna worked as a model & talent for Lily’s Talent Agency/Clear Talent Group. Later on, Dionna completed a summer study with Rennie Harris Puremovement (Philadelphia), Deeply Rooted (Chicago) & American Dance Festival (NC), received scholarships and recognition from Monsters of Hip Hop, The Pulse on Tour, & Dance Spirit Magazine; Dionna also worked & trained at Ballroom Dance Chicago.

Dionna received her dance degree from Point Park University & has performed works in both concert and commercial dance, working with numerous choreographers, as well as companies such as The Pillow Project (PA), Pittsburgh Dance Ensemble, Dance 2XS (Chicago), and Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre (Chicago). Fun Fact! Dionna was asked to style hair for the Britney Spears Circus Tour: Chicago.

Dionna has shared her choreography at multiple venues: Pritzker Pavilion| Millennium Park (Chicago), Ailey Citigroup Theatre NY, and the US Open, to name a few . . . as well as dance programs & studios across the US. To add, Dionna self-produced & directed the show entitled: LONE, which premiered in both Chicago & New York, along with her 1st New York dance film: Control|Alt|Delete. Dionna is currently teaching and serving as Creative Operations at Visceral Dance Center.

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For more information about CRB’s Dancer Training Program including prospective schedules, registration, and scholarship information click below!

An open letter regarding CRB's Dancer Training Program

We want to address, head on, some the concerns voiced on our Instagram account regarding our recent post promoting the Dancer Training Program. The post shared on February 18th  on both Instagram and Facebook featured confirmed faculty for our program.  We posted this information too quickly.  We had not yet completed our hiring process and this post did not reflect the diversity we had been working to display in this program. This post, made in haste, was a mistake. We are grateful to the individuals who saw this post and spoke out, and those who have engaged in conversations with us around this matter.  It also showed us that we need to display more transparency around our instructor hiring practices.

When our volunteers started the initial search for instructors, we worked to compile a diverse group of people to whom we would reach out.  Our list included people of different races, sexualities, gender identities, areas of expertise, and more.  As people were saying “Yes” or “No” based on their availability, we failed to bring to our conscious that the group of people saying “Yes” did not represent the racial diversity of our city.  We then created the post in a rush to promote this program.  At the time of this post we were still actively seeking additional faculty to participate, and we were making efforts to connect with artists of color, especially individuals who have had connections with the company.  Chicago Repertory Ballet would like to affirm that releasing this post, with an incomplete roster featuring only white artists, was a mistake.  Since this post, we saw the comments, and appreciate the time commenters took to have meaningful, important conversations.  With gratitude, we took actionable steps to implement your feedback; we have been able to secure numerous artists from across the sector who are racially diverse.

Chicago Repertory Ballet would like to apologize for the tone-deafness of this post. We recognize this is a challenging point in history where these issues are concerned, and did not intend to cause any further insult by our actions in making this hasty post. We also want to thank those who reached out to us for engaging in meaningful dialogues that has given us a space to examine our policies, hiring practices, and has heightened our awareness of our place in the Chicago Dance Community.

Chicago Repertory Ballet is proud of the work we do to confront and re-examine the role of gender in ballet, as both a dance form and as a storytelling avenue.  This post has reminded us that this work must be intersectional: we must also include confronting issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in this art form. We commit to participate in this work.

Dancer Training Program Instructor Profile: Adeoye Mabogunje

Adeoye / DÉO (he, him) is an interdisciplinary Performing Artist.

He is thrilled to join the Faculty at Chicago Repertory Ballet.  

He earned his BA in Law, Letters, and Society at the University of Chicago, and his MFA at The George Washington University’s Academy for Classical Acting.  The graduate program included Ballet for Actors and Pilates Mat Training. He Certified through the EQUINOX Pilates Institute and through Classical Pilates Formula at FFC, where he is currently a Teacher Training Assistant. Adeoye is also certified as a Meditation Guide and a Yoga Teacher.

Adeoye has performed in Regional Theatres across the country and around Chicago, including Lookigglass Theatre, where he serves as an Actor and as a Teaching Artist.  Adeoye is also the Founder and Artistic Director of Quicksilver Shakespeare Company, an experimental ensemble of Artists committed to Diversity and Inclusion in Performance, currently producing #QuicksilverQuarantine in the digital Zoom Space. 

quicksilvershakespeare.org

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For more information on CRB’s Professional Training Program including prospective schedules, registration and scholarship information click below!

Dancer Training Program Instructor Profile: Kim Sagami

We’re excited to announce dancer training program instructor Kim Sagami!

Kim (she/her) is a Chicago-based ballet teacher who was trained in Los Angeles before joining the Joffrey Ballet at the invitation of Robert Joffrey. Her teaching style reflects the influences of her mentors: Robert Joffrey, Gerald Arpino, Hilary Cartwright/Yoga Narada, and Alonzo King/LINES. In addition, Kim graduated with an architectural degree from Illinois Institute of Technology which have greatly influenced her teaching of alignment and form.

Her teaching credits include Joffrey Academy of Dance, Hubbard St. Dance Chicago, Visceral Dance, Ballet 5:8, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Chicago High School of the Arts, Chicago Ballet Arts, Regional Dance America, Interlochen Arts, Thodos Dance Chicago. Master classes in Sydney, Tokyo, LA, NY, and Chicago.

Film credits include the 1987 film of Joffrey’s historic restoration of Nijinsky’s lost Le Sacre du Printemps and a featured role in the film of BILLBOARDS, a full- length rock ballet with music by Prince. Musical Theater credits include a featured role in the national US touring company of The Phantom of the Opera.

Ms. Sagami is currently on faculty at Roosevelt University and is Resident Master Teacher at Fort Wayne Ballet. She is certified in ABT National Training Curriculum, Progressing Ballet Technique and Zena Rommett Floor Barre. Ms. Sagami is president of the board of directors for The Gerald Arpino Foundation and also serves as répétiteur for the foundation and the Edward Stierle Family Trust. She is looking forward to teaching for Chicago Repertory Ballet’s Professional Training Program.

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For more information on CRB’s Professional Training Program including prospective schedules, registration and scholarship information click below!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Becky Mikos

We caught up with dancer Becky Mikos to talk about her time and CRB and see what she’s up to now!

CRB dancers on tour in Vero Beach FL

CRB: When did you dance with CRB?

Becky: “I danced for CRB for two seasons from 2014-2015”

CRB: Do you have a favorite CRB memory?

Becky: “We went on tour to Miami and Vero Beach, FL in 2015 and when we got there, we went shopping for food and saw our poster up at the grocery store! It felt like we were famous! I felt so honored and excited to be a part of a group that was bringing art to places all over the country. While there, we also had the opportunity to choreograph a work on a group of students over the course of a few weeks. Having the chance to choreograph and develop movement on a group of eager young dance students is such a gift. I still have a signed picture frame they gave me hanging up in my room as a reminder of the learning and transformation that happened in a few short weeks. OH! And there was an alligator in the pond where we were staying! Because.... Florida.”

CRB: What was a favorite CRB work to dance?

Becky: “One time, I got to perform "Dancer Net." I had always looked up to other dancers that performed it, so I was very nervous to do it! The rehearsal process was really challenging for me and it really helped me to explore and develop some new performance qualities. I'm really grateful to have had that learning experience. I also can't get by without mentioning Bolero! It was awesome to be a part of the creative development of the work. We moved giant walls on and off stage to hide and reveal new scenes, and I remember when we were just using paper taped together to demo the wall idea! It was such a bold and exciting work to be a part of. “

CRB: What are you up to now?

Becky: “Now I work full time in Marketing and Project Management! I kind of fell into this role at a small company that provides safety training for workers in the utility industry. I started as an Administrative Assistant, quickly took over the Marketing at the company, and now I'm the Marketing Manager and I assist our Project team with project management. This year, we've held 2 successful virtual conferences (a huge undertaking and learning curve after we were used to holding in-person events)! I've learned a lot and I actually really like it. Most recently, our company started using the software platform Salesforce and I worked to pass the Administrator Certification exam. I'm eager to see where the new Marketing and Salesforce knowledge and skills lead me in my career. I hope to someday take these skills back into the realm of the arts. I've also been co-directing and choreographing the Nutcracker at a studio in the Chicago Suburbs for the past three years. At first, it was new for me to be in the "director" role. It's an awesome feeling to go from dreaming up movement phrases in rehearsal to seeing the full production with costumes, props & lighting on stage. The music would continue and the dancers would just go from section to section without me needing to yell reminders like I did in the studio. It's amazing!! “

CRB: Have any pandemic projects?

Becky: “My boyfriend just bought a townhouse, so I'm excited to help him paint and pick out furniture! Also, I've taken up cross stitch to de-stress. It's actually pretty enjoyable, despite feeling a little like a grandma. :)”

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Jordan Mercer Lantz

We caught up with dancer Jordan Mercer Lantz to talk about her time at CRB and see what she’s been up to since!

Jordan Mercer Lantz in the Sleepwalking scene in Wade Schaaf’s “Macbeth”. Photo by Ashley Deran

CRB: When did you dance with CRB?

Jordan: “I danced with CRB for 5 seasons, from 2014 to 2018.”

CRB: What is a favorite CRB Memory?

Jordan: “I don’t have one specific memory, but theater week was always my favorite. Having all that time together in theater always made our company closer.”

CRB: What was a favorite CRB work to dance?

Jordan: “I got to dance so many wonderful pieces at CRB, but the one that stands out the most to me was Macbeth. As a member of the original cast, I had the opportunity to be a part of the creative process and put a piece of myself into the performance. It was such an interesting mix of pointe work, floor work, and storytelling and provided a wonderfully unique opportunity for me. The experience will always be close to my heart.”

CRB: What are you up to now?

Jordan: “After finishing my dance career, I moved to Michigan, got married, and am now back in school. I am currently working toward my degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and hope to one day get a job in the Hospitality field as a Hotel Manager or Event Planner. I am still teaching ballet as well.”

CRB: Have any pandemic projects?

Jordan: “During the pandemic, I was lucky enough to have time to do small things that add value to me life. I got back into my yoga practice, did a full spring cleaning on my house, and even started learning French! I also got lots of snuggle time with my dog.”

You can follow Jordan on her social media channels on Facebook and her Instagram: @Jordan.mercer.140

Dancers Jordan Mercer Lantz and Tony Suhadolnik in Wade Schaaf’s “Macbeth”. Photo: Ashley Deran

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Michelle Meltzer

We caught up with dancer Michelle Meltzer to see what she’s been up to after her time at CRB. Here’s what she had to say!

CRB: When did you dance with CRB?

Michelle: “I was a company member from 2018-2019.”

CRB: Do you have a favorite CRB memory?
Michelle: “My favorite CRB memory is a blur of time spent together in the studio, working and dancing hard, but also enjoying each other's company. CRB brought some incredible friends and colleagues into my life, and I will be forever grateful for that.”

CRB: What was a favorite CRB work to dance?
Michelle: I have to pick two! Trees Melody by Shannon Alvis and a reworking of Illuminations by Wade Schaaf.

CRB: What are you up to now (personally and or professionally)?
Michelle: “I am currently dancing for Visceral Dance Chicago, and am also a Pilates Instructor for Equinox in Lincoln Park. This fall I started teaching dance again and have been loving it.”

CRB: Have any pandemic projects?
Michelle: “I am slowly redecorating my apartment and updating furniture and artwork. It is amazing what some small changes can do when you are at home more!”

You can follow Michelle on her Instagram @_my_shell_

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Danielle Mathews

We caught up with dancer Danielle Mathews to talk about her time at CRB, and see what she’s been up to since.

Danielle Mathews and Tony Suhadolnik in “La Vie en Rose” by Wade Schaaf. Photo: Cheryl Mann

CRB: When did you dance with CRB?

Danielle: I danced for CRB from 2012-2016. I was a founding dancer for the company.

CRB: Do you have a favorite CRB memory?
Danielle: I have so many great memories during my time with CRB. I'll share two:

1. The very first performance at the Ruth Page Center. I had chills of excitement performing such great work and sharing the stage with some crazy talented artists.

2. The tour to Vero Beach was really fun and a big opportunity for the company. Not only did we perform, we also taught classes and choreographed in the community.

CRB: What was a favorite CRB work to dance?
Danielle: “Another hard question..too many! I'd have to say Peoplescape and Four Seasons.”

CRB: What are you up to now (personally and or professionally)?
Danielle: “Presently, I live in Little Rock, AR with my husband David and our two boys, Walter who is 3 and Grayson who is 2 months old. I'm the Lead Instructor at Club Pilates WLR, teach Pilates and Yoga for the Little Rock Athletic Clubs and dance lessons for Rock City Dance Center.”

CRB: Have any pandemic projects?
Danielle: “During the pandemic we have been doing a lot of home projects. A new bathroom, irrigation system, updated kitchen and painting. Also spending as much time as possible outside soaking up the beautiful weather and sites that Arkansas has to offer.”

You can follow Danielle on her social media channels including her instagram @Danielle.mathews

Danielle Mathews in Wade Schaaf’s “The Four Seasons” Photo: Cheryl Mann