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!

Press Release: COVID-19

   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Wade Schaaf

Phone: 872.588.0431

Email: Info@chicagorepertoryballet.com

Rite of Spring: 

Performance Postponement 

To our Patrons -- we’ve been following the news very closely over the last few weeks and working with the Athenaeum Theatre to determine the best course of action. In accordance with the state and local officials, and out of concern for the health and safety of our patrons, artists and staff, Chicago Repertory Ballet is postponing The Right of Spring & Other Works. 

The new performance date is set for this fall, September 11th-13th. If you’ve already purchased tickets, your tickets have been transferred to these new dates. If you would like a refund please contact the Athenaeum Theatre.

This was a difficult decision for our team, but the safety of our patrons, dancers, and staff is of the utmost importance. Chicago Repertory Ballet’s Company Dancers will receive a stipend for their work to date, and we will continue to assess any potential financial losses in the coming weeks. We thank you for being a long time supporter of the arts, and we look forward to bringing these exciting works to the stage in September. Do not hesitate to contact us [info@chicagorepertoryballet.com] or The Athenaeum Theatre with any questions. The Athenaeum Theatre’s Box Office will be handling a significant number of inquiries, so they would appreciate your patience; do not feel like you must contact the Box Office immediately. 

We will continue to monitor any developments with the COVID-19 pandemic and should any changes mandate an alteration in our production dates, we will let you know.

Thank you for looking after yourselves and each other. We look forward to welcoming you back to the theatre very soon.

Chicago Repertory Ballet's mission is to bring storytelling and choreographic innovation to the stage while inspiring audiences and challenging preconceived notions of the art-form.   

Chicago Repertory  Ballet is a not-for-profit tax exempt organization - under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code

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If you would like more information on this topic, please contact Wade Schaaf via phone at 872.588.0431 or email Info@chicagorepertoryballet.com

Our Top 6 Moments of 2019!

1. Reviging Macbeth

2. RADfest in Kalamazoo

3. Launching CRB Youth Performing Ensemble

4. Our growing Summer Intensive

5. An amazing gala at the Goodman Theatre

6. YOU!

   None of this would be possible with the dedication of our Patrons, Volunteers, and staff. 92% of our operating budget comes from individual supporters like you!

Podcast interview with Artistic Director Wade Schaaf on 5, 6, 7, EIGHT!

Recently, Founding Artistic Director had the opportunity to appear as a guest on Aleksandra Eifmova’s podcast 5, 6, 7, EIGHT!

Enjoy this episode as Wade talks about life, dance, Pilates and CHICAGO REPERTORY BALLET!

“Yes, there is a big crossover between art and technology…but at the same time, concert dance is a phenomenal opportunity for people that are oversaturated with imagery all the time and have a very fast paced life. Going to sit down in a theater and encountering something in real time that human beings have created is a phenomenal reset button for people.”

Hear this and more now!

CRB Summer Intensive: Student Payal Parida

We asked Payal if she would share with us some of her thoughts about her experience at the 2019 CRB Summer intensive. Read about Payal’s experience below!

“The Chicago Repertory Ballet Intensive was definitely a highlight of my summer in 2018. I am so glad I decided to audition and attend because it was an intensive that taught me valuable information, helped me grow as a dancer and person and also gave me a memorable experience that I will cherish forever. The intensive was a total of five days and consisted of ballet technique, variations, pointe, modern, improvisation and getting to learn Chicago Repertory Ballet’s Company pieces. We danced for about six hours a day and on the last day we got to show our friends and family all the pieces we had learned at the Intensive Showcase, which was one of my favorite parts of the intensive. The summer I took the intensive was also the summer I was entering my senior year of high school and I was starting to prepare myself for the college audition and application process. I knew that taking this intensive would help me improve my technique and it did! I started to train in ballet, modern, jazz and more at the age of thirteen and I knew I was technically behind. By taking this intensive I was able to learn so much about my strengths and weaknesses as a dancer and was able to work on them with the help of the amazing faculty and company members of Chicago Repertory Ballet. I could see a significant difference in my dancing, such as gaining a lot more confidence and a stronger technique, which helped me not only with my college auditions, but also my competition/performance pieces for my studio. Within the five days I spent in the city of Chicago training for six hours a day I got to dance my heart out, make an amazing group of friends and learn from professional artists. It gave me an insight of what it’s like to be in the professional dance world and gave me the time to work on my weaknesses as a dancer. I am now a freshman dance major at the University of Michigan and I believe that this intensive played a vital role in getting me to where I am today. They are a welcoming, vibrant and a talented group of dancers, artists, teachers and people that continue to inspire me and many others everyday. I am so grateful for them and the experience they gave me.”

More information and registration for our 2020 intensive here!

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!

Preview: Splash Magazine

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

Press Release: Macbeth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Wade Schaaf
Phone: 872.588.0431
Email: Info@chicagorepertoryballet.com

Macbeth returns to the stage

[Chicago, IL - February 6th—] This March Chicago Repertory Ballet revives our highly acclaimed 2016 production of William Shakespeare’s MACBETH. Founder & Artistic Director, Wade Schaaf, created a dramatic reworking of the Scottish tragedy. This high-tech and streamlined ballet adaptation promises to be a feast for the senses.

MACBETH is a tale of greed, ambition, and an insatiable lust for power.

Featuring projections designed by John Pobojewski of THIRST designs, lighting by Sarah Lackner, and costumes designed by Chicago favorite Nathan Rohrer, this ballet pulls you into a sleek world where political intrigue meets power-hungry egos—Wade Schaaf’s MACBETH delivers all the passion, drama, and nail biting action of any good Shakespearean tragedy!

Macbeth takes place March 29th, 30th, and 31st at The Athenaeum Theatre

Tickets are available on The Athenaeum Theatre’s website, or by calling the box office: 773-935-6875
—Group rates available by phone—

Chicago Repertory Ballet's mission is to bring storytelling and choreographic innovation to the stage while inspiring audiences and challenging preconceived notions of the art-form.  

Chicago Repertory Ballet is a not-for-profit tax exempt organization - under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code

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If you would like more information on this topic, please contact Wade Schaaf via phone at 872.588.0431 or email Info@chicagorepertoryballet.com

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!

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.