Summer at CRB!

This Summer CRB spent three days at the Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts teaching a masterclass, and holding a lecture/demonstration style performance. Among the works performed were segments from "The Four Seasons", "Illuminations" and ballet variations by Artistic Director Wade Schaaf. Working with this group of young artists was a great inspiration!

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CRB'S Summer Intensive is just ONE MONTH AWAY!

A perfect offering for the young artist (13 and up). Once a year, CRB offers an opportunity for young advanced dancers to work with the artists of the company. This year, the intensive will be in the heart of downtown Chicago at 218 S. Wabash. Dancers will have the opportunity to work on their technique and artistry with the company members at CRB. JOIN US!

Save the date!

CRB'S fall gala ENVISION is September 15th. Save the date for a fun evening of dance, drink and FUN all in support of Chicago's contemporary ballet company. Make sure to put September 15 on your calendar. Don't miss the CRB event of the fall!

Summer Intensive Instructor: Luis Vazquez

We sat down with Summer Intensive Instructor Luis Vazquez to discuss his ideas on dance and teaching. Enjoy reading about his perspective below!

We sat down with Summer Intensive Instructor Luis Vazquez to discuss his ideas on dance and teaching. Enjoy reading about his perspective below!

CRB: Luis, can you tell us a little about your history with teaching?

Luis: "My teaching experience really flourished when I joined Thodos Dance Chicago. While in the company I taught company class, master classes while on tour, and re-staged company repertoire during summer and winter intensives. Since then I've taught at the Joffrey Ballet Academy, After School Matters, and teach group fitness."

CRB: What would you say is important learn in the studio?

Luis: "We have one body, it is up to dancers to be able to learn the mechanics and capabilities of their specific facility. As a teacher, I do my best to push students to see the dance room as a laboratory; constantly experimenting with how their body can use momentum to push through space, and grow."

CRB: What is your favorite part about teaching?

Luis: "I love seeing a dancer take ownership of their artistry and really tear through space, it's extremely rewarding to help students reach that point and grow into professionals."

CRB: What do you think is unique about the CRB Summer Intensive?

Luis: "The CRB intensive is special because of the diversity of the repertoire. Students can strengthen their classical technique, and learn how that technique can be filtered through contemporary work."

Work with Luis and the rest of this amazing faculty in the CRB Summer Intensive August 6 - 10. Send in your audition video now!

Teacher Spotlight: Miriam-Rose LeDuc

We sat down with Miriam-Rose to talk about her philosophy on teaching, life and artistry. Please enjoy our interview with Miriam-Rose!

CRB: "Tell us a little bit about your teaching background."

Miriam: "For the past four years, I have been on faculty at The Joffrey Academy of Dance.  I have given master classes and taught throughout the Midwest at the Jacobs School of Music, the Beverly Arts Center, and The Academy for the Arts in Spring Arbor, Michigan, among others."

CRB: "In your words, what would you say is your teaching philosophy/approach?"

Miriam: "As a teacher, my aim is not only to train my students to be the very best dancers or musicians they can be, but also to equip them with the skills and values necessary to become the best possible versions of themselves.  I love the arts of both ballet and violin for many reasons; one of which is that in order to do them well, one must develop perseverance, discipline, passion, humility, creativity, and patience, among other qualities.  These qualities are valuable not only in the arts, but in any person’s life, and I aspire to enhance and shape the lives of my students."

CRB: "What do you personally enjoy about teaching?

Miriam: "I love being able to pass on the tools and technique required to execute an artform well.  When you see a student who really wants to succeed, who puts in the work, and is able to see their improvement in class, onstage, through an audition, etc., it is so rewarding!"

CRB: "What do you think is unique about CRB's Summer Intensive program?"

Miriam: "CRB is unique in its versatility.  Not only do we dance and perform a myriad of styles, but each of the teachers at this intensive have diverse backgrounds and so much to offer from our variety of artistic experiences.  You won't want to miss it!"

CRB: "Tell us something fun about YOU!"

Miriam: "As I implied above, I also play the violin!  I started when I was six years old with the Suzuki violin method, and am still performing, teaching, and writing my own music today."

Don't miss your chance to study with Miriam and the rest of our wonderful faculty in CRB's 2018 Summer Intensive. There are still spots available. Find out more below!

Phew! What a Spring!!

Spring was filled with beautiful performances at Chicago Repertory Ballet.

This April we premiered Modern Motions at the Atheneum Theater. The production opened with a headline grabbing review: "Ambitious Chicago Repertory Ballet shows who they want to be."

In May we brought a few of these beautiful works to Evanston's Studio5 performing Arts Center. Enjoy some photos from these performances below. Don't forget you can follow our Instagram @Chicagorepertoryballet to see the latest photos and videos from CRB! 

Trees, Melody

Ms. Jacqueline Stewart with the company in Shannon Alvis' gorgeous work "Tress, Melody".

Photo: Thopher Alexander

Grand Pianola Music

Ms. Miriam-Rose LeDuc in Artistic Director Wade Schaaf's "Grand Pianola Music: On the Dominant Divide". 

Photo: Topher Alexander

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SUMMER IS COMING: 

CRB'S Summer Intensive is coming August 6 - 10 and will be packed with some of the most exciting classes and opportunities to study with the amazing artists of Chicago Repertory Ballet. Study in the heart of downtown Chicago in this fun and invigorating intensive. Don't wait, send your audition today!

Chicago Repertory Ballet is a user supported organization. Support from patrons such as your self creates dance that continues to defy labels.

2018 Season

Grand Pianola Music: On The Dominant Divide

Choreography: Wade Schaaf

Lighting Design: Sarah Lackner

Costume Design: Nathan Rohrer

World Premiere: April 6th 2018, The Athenaeum Theatre (Chicago IL)

A contemporary ballet work to the composition of the same name, this work is a thrilling dance to encounter full of classical line and contemporary movement style.

2018 Season

Trees, Melody

Choreography: Shannon Alvis

Lighting Design: Sarah Lackner

Costume Design: Wade Schaaf

World Premiere: April 6th 2018, The Athenaeum Theatre (Chicago, IL)

Trees, Melody is a beautiful and intense contemporary dance work for 7 dancers. With movements like trees mingling together in the wind Trees, Melody is a perfect marriage to its luscious contemporary score.

2018 Season

All The Things You Are

Choreography: Tenley Dickey

Lighting Design: Sarah Lackner

Costume Design: Tenley Dickey

World Premiere: April 6th 2018, The Athenaeum Theatre (Chicago IL)

All The Things You Are is a heartwarming contemporary dance incorporating music from the 40’s and 50’s. Culminating in a heartfelt final section for 9 dancers.

2018 Season

Closing

Choreography: Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye

Lighting Design: Dustin l. Derry

Costume Design: Nathan Rohrer

World Premiere: April 6th 2018, The Athenaeum Theatre (Chicago IL)

Closing is a luscious contemporary ballet with a silky movement vocabulary accentuating partnerships and partnered music to a contemporary score.

Dancer Spotlight: Luis Vazquez

Q&A with Luis Vazquez 

CRB: What's been the most challenging/rewarding part of this season?

Luis Vazquez: The most rewarding experience for me this season, is being presented with both the challenge and opportunity to reinvent my dancing with each new choreographer and piece. All of the pieces in this show are so different, that it pushes me to not only use my technique and facility in different ways, but to also jump into a different world with each work. It's been challenging but I feel that my dancing as much more depth and nuance because of this process.

CRB: Why CRB?

Luis Vazquez:What makes CRB special is seeing so many different voices and experiences collide onstage. Both the choreographers and dancers all come from such different backgrounds, and it's exciting to see what happens when those influences come together in the studio and on the stage.  

Dancer Spotlight: Christine Janák

Q&A with Christine Janák 

CRB: What's been the most exciting new work from this season?

Christine Janák : I really enjoy dancing in the new ballet Wade has created for this show. It's like a whirlwind. This piece has the full company cast in it and I think it's going to be really powerful to have so many dancers onstage. The solos really twinkle like skittering sparks, so in the crescendo of this piece I'm hoping for visual fireworks.

CRB: What's been the most challenging/fun part of the rehearsal processes?

Christine Janák : When the choreography feels good in your body you dance it differently. I feel I dance at my best with Wade's style, the movements flow one into the next without being predictable. Getting to work in this style of movement is not only rewarding but also quite fun. 

CRB: Why CRB?

Christine Janák : Art is vital to society, and good art can do incredible things. Supporting the arts makes you a part of the community of art makers, and what CRB does is incredible. In a few short weeks of rehearsal CRB has put together a stunning showcase of 4 new to the world feats of grace and athleticism and a 5th revival piece of powerful inspection on the human condition. Subtle stories told through gesture and flying leaps, whirlwinds and playful banter. Modern Motions fills the spectrum of emotions. The audience is in for an exciting ride.