Chicago Repertory Blog
Marco Clemente began his dance training at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts under the directorship of Larry Long. He has since danced for Dayton Ballet, Minnesota Ballet, and Ballet Nebraska. Some of his most memorable roles include Puck, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Goro, "Madame Butterfly," the Harlequinade pas de deux , and the Grand pas de deux from "The Nutcracker." This is Marco's first season with Chicago Repertory Ballet
Chris Tallmadge hails from Michigan, where he received the bulk of his training from Grand Valley State University. There, he had the privilege of performing works by Charles Askegard, Eddy Ocampo, Becca Lemme, Joshua Manculich, and many others. Upon completing his time at Grand Valley, he discovered a love for teaching, and taught at various West Michigan studios before moving to Chicago. 2018 is Chris's first season with Chicago Repertory Ballet, and he's very excited to explore and learn from the company!
Michelle Meltzer is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana where she trained at the Indianapolis School of Ballet under the direction of Victoria Lyras. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Ballet with an Outside Field in Education from the Jacob’s School of Music at Indiana University. Michelle was previously a member of Nevada Ballet Theatre for four seasons where she performed as Juliet in James Canfield’s Romeo and Juliet, in Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Who Care’s, Slaughter on 10th Avenue, and Serenade, in Cynthia Gregory’s staging of Swan Lake, as well as dancing in collaboration with Cirque du Solei.
Since moving to Chicago, Michelle has danced for Aerial Dance Chicago, Simantikos Annual Celebration of Chicago Art, and in “New Dances” a collaboration between Danceworks and Thodos Dance Chicago. This is Michelle’s second season with Chicago Repertory Ballet.
Choreography: Wade Schaaf
Lighting Design: Sarah Lackner
Costume Design: Wade Schaaf
World Premiere: October 29th 2017, The Athenaeum Theater (Chicago IL)
The second in a series of duets which explore romantic relationships and the many iterations.
Choreography: Wade Schaaf
Lighting Design: Sarah Lackner
Costume Design: Wade Schaaf
World Premiere: October 28th, The Athenaeum Theater (Chicago IL)
A dance in three parts, Illuminations no. 1- 3 explores three vignettes: illuminating the body and its movements, illuminating the body in time, illuminating the body in relationship.
Choreography: Monique Haley
Lighting Design: Sarah Lackner
Costume Design: Nathan Rohrer
World Premere: June 21st, 2013 – The Vittum Theater (Chicago, IL)
This Afro-Modern inspired piece explores the beauty and strength of femininity, or the inner power in all of us – the I.D. (Inner Deity).
Choreography: Wade Schaaf
Lighting Design: Sarah Lackner
Costume Design: Wade Schaaf
World Premiere: March 24th 2017, The Biograph Theater (Chicago IL)
The first of a series of duets choreographed by Wade Schaaf which explore romantic relationships and all of their iterations.
Choreography: Wade Schaaf
Lighting Design: Julie Ballard
Costume Design: Nathan Rohrer
World Premiere: March 24th 2017, The Biograph Theater (Chicago IL)
A Symphony for Hope is an exciting, frenetic contemporary ballet based on the idea of harnessing the determination needed to overcome the obstacles of challenging times.
CRB: What are you most excited to perform?
Sarah: Of course I love all the works that we are performing, but I am most excited about Wade's new work, A Symphony For Hope. I think there is a lot to worry about in our current political climate, especially in regards to the Arts, and it is easy to get despondent. The flip side to that is this is now the perfect moment in time to band together and to fight for what we hold dear. Hope is a powerful catalyst for change.
CRB: What has been the most rewarding experience for you?
This will be my last season with CRB as I am stepping away from performing and I have to say the most rewarding part of this season was the breadth of the repertoire in this concert. I have both been able to revisit and re-imagine works that I have already performed and also be a part of the vibrant creative process for a new work. It's the best of both worlds.
CRB: What's been the most rewarding part of the process?
Abigail: I've enjoyed the intimate rehearsal space; with only 16 dancers in the room, I feel as though we've grown closer through this experience and gotten to know each other as dancers and friends.
CRB: What are you most excited to perform?
Abigail: I'm most excited to perform Bolero because it's a sassy contemporary piece that showcases the versatility of these dancers. It's a piece that feels comfortable for my body, so I can lose myself in the world of the piece. And who wouldn't love to perform a dance that involves moving walls and flirting with the audience?.
CRB: What's a fun fact about yourself?
Abigail:: I love mermaids and I wanted to be one when I was a child
