Full Archive

The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago has presented the best of contemporary dance since 1974. Find a full list here of presented companies and artists.

 
 

2023-24

SJ Swilley, Ayako Kato, Kara Brody, Erin Kilmurray, J’Sun Howard; photography by William Frederking.

 

2022-23

STAYCEE PEARL dance project in CIRCLES/going in, photo by Lindsay B. Garvin.

 

2021-22

Eiko Otake, photo by William Johnston.

 

2020-21

The 2020-21 season was comprised of virtual and socially-distanced programming.

Fall 2020 | The Dance Buffet

The Dance Buffet offered innovative online learning and community building programs, including discussions, workshops, classes, and more.

Residencies and Virtual Presentations

Nejla Yatkin
Jumaane Taylor
Jenn Freeman

Workshops, Masterclasses, Discussions, Events

Michelle Boulé
Joanna Furnans
Jane Jerardi
Jacob Snodgrass
Erin Kilmurray and Steph Paul
Chicago Dance History Project
Margi Cole

 

Amy Smith
Anna Martine Whitehead
Jessica Young
Ayo Alston
Kelsa Robinson and Bravemonk
Sara Zalek
Keisha Janae Bennett and Trell

 

Lisa Gonzales and Darrell Jones
Paige Caldarella and Emily Stein
Gina Hoch-Stall and Anjal Chande
Kevin Rechner
Danielle Ross
Gregory King
Dance Center 50th Anniversary Celebration

Virtual Residencies 2020

Sara Zalek
Kierah King

 

Spring / Summer 2021

Abby Z and the New Utility in Abandoned Playground, photo by Christopher Duggan.

Virtual Residencies 2021

Alyssa Boone
Ayo Alston
Courtney Mackedanz
Francesca Pedersen

 

2019-20

ELECTROGYNOUS, photo by Gema Galiana.

 

2018-19

Ephrat Asherie Dance in Odeon, photo by Matthew Murphy.

 

Bebe Miller's In a Rhythm, photo by Robert Altman.

 
 

nora chipaumire, in portrait of myself as my father. Photo by Elise Fitte Duval.

 
 

2013-14

Gallim Dance in Blush, photo by Stephen Schreiber.

 
 
 

Joe Goode Performance Group in Hush, photo by RJ Muna.

 
 

2005-06

 

2003-04

  • Susan Marshall & Company

  • Bill T. Jones / Arnie Zane Dance Company

  • Merce Cunningham Dance Company

  • Jump Rhythm Jazz Project

  • George Piper Dances presents Balletboyz

  • Rosanna Gamson / World Wide

  • Erica Wilson-Perkins

  • Hedwig Dances

  • Kota Yamazaki

  • Compagnie JANT-BI

  • Urban Bush Women

 

2001-02

  • Chris Burnside

  • Chicago Human Rhythm Project

  • Doug Varone and Dancers

  • Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre

  • Wayne McGregor | Random Dance

  • The Dance COLEctive / Colleen Halloran Performance Group

  • The Holy Body Tattoo

  • Yin Mei Dance

  • Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

  • Chicago Moving Company

  • Hedwig Dances

  • Compagnie Kafig

  • Compagnie SALIA ni SEYDOU

  • Bharatanatyam in the Diaspora (featuring Natya Dance Theatre, Malavika Sarukkai, and Chandralekha & Dancers)

1999-2000

  • Susan Marshall & Company

  • Paula Josa-Jones: Performance Works

  • Jan Erkert & Dancers

  • Akira Kasai

  • rosy co (now Kota Yamazaki Fluid hug-hug)

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • The Holy Body Tattoo

  • H.T. Chen & Dancers

 

2009-10

 

2008-09

“...consistently offering one of Chicago’s strongest lineups of contemporary and experimental
touring dance companies.” ”
— Time Out Chicago
 

2004-05

  • Lyon Opera Ballet

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Eiko & Koma

  • Jane Comfort and Company

  • Afro Contempo Festival (featuring Germain Acogny, Ralph Lemon, Compagnie TchéTché, and Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE)

  • Breakbone DanceCo 

 

2002-03

  • Trisha Brown Dance Company

  • Australian Dance Theatre

  • David Gordon and the Pick Up Performance Company

  • Luna Negra Dance Theater

  • Into the West Festival (featuring Sara Shelton Mann/Contraband, Robert Moses’ KIN, Joe Goode Performance Group)

  • Melissa Thodos & Dancers (later Thodos Dance Chicago)

  • Jan Erkert & Dancers

  • JAZZDANCE by Danny Buraczeski

  • Urban Bush Women

 

2000-01

  • David Dorfman Dance

  • White Oak Dance Project

  • 1306 Celebration

  • From the Horse's Mouth

  • Mad Shak Dance Company

  • Stephen Petronio Company

  • Luna Negra Dance Company

  • Jump Rhythm Jazz Project

  • Joe Goode Performance Group

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Ronald K. Brown / EVIDENCE

  • 33 Fainting Spells

  • Zephyr Dance

  • IRIS Dance Improvisation Group

 

1998-99

  • DanceAfrica Chicago '98

  • David Roussève/REALITY

  • Mad Shak Dance Company

  • Chris Aiken & Kirstie Simson

  • H.T. Chen & Dancers

  • Changing Channels Festival (featuring Margaret Jenkins Dance Company, Loretta Livingston & Maureen Fleming, Ralph Lemon & Bebe Miller, Mordine & Company Dance Theatre, and Rachel Rosenthal Company)

1996-97

1997-98

  • Chicago on Tap II

  • DanceAfrica Chicago '96

  • Stephan Petronio Company

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Compagnie Preljocaj (now Ballet Preljocaj)

  • Shinpi No Bi/Mysterious Beauty – A Festival of Contemporary Japanese Dance (featuring Butoh-sha Tenkei, Uno Man, Kazuco Takemoto, and Eiko & Koma)

  • Next Generation Project

  • DanceAfrica Chicago '97

  • Margaret Jenkins Dance Company

  • David Roussève/REALITY

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Euro Contempo Festival (featuring Ultima Vez/Wim Vandekeybus, Compagnie Phillipe Saire, Beppie Blankert & Dancers Studio, and Herve Robbe/La Marietta Secret)

 

1994-95

1995-96

  • DanceAfrica 94

  • Women’s Percussion Ensemble

  • Fluid Measure Performance Company

  • Muna Tseng

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Liz Lerman Dance Exchange

  • Jan Erkert & Dancers

  • Jose Limon Dance Company

  • Donald Byrd/The Group

  • Margaret Jenkins Dance Company

  • Merian Soto & Pepon Osorio

  • David Roussève/REALITY

  • DanceAfrica Chicago 95

  • Liz Lerman Dance Exchange

  • XSIGHT Performance Group

  • Cruzando Fonteras: Arte de las Americas (featuring Danzahoy, Pilar Medina, Marcia Duarte & Company, and Antares Danza Contemporanea)

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • The Flying Foot Forum (now Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum)

  • Jelleye

 

1992-93

  • David Roussève/REALITY

  • DanceAfrica Chicago 92

  • New World/New Art Festival (featuring Paul Andre Fortier, Antares Danza Contemporanea, Los Munequitos de Mantanzas, and El Descueve)

  • Ralph Lemon Company

  • Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater

  • Bob Eisen Dance

  • Festival of Israeli Dance (featuring Liat Dror & Nir Ben Gai, Arie Bursztyn & Sinapsa, and Batsheva Dance Company)

  • Joe Goode Performance Group

  • Jan Erkert & Dancers

  • Margie Gillis

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Jan Bartoszek/Hedwig Dances

  • Margaret Jenkins Dance Company

1993-94

  • DanceAfrica Chicago 93

  • Art Bridgman/Myrna Packer

  • Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater

  • Liz Lerman Dance Exchange

  • Doug Elkins Dance Company

  • David Dorfman Dance

  • Jeff McMahon

  • Jan Erkert & Dancers

  • Robin Lakes/Rough Dance

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Hedwig Dances Performance Company

  • Lar Lubovitch Dance Company

  • Chicago on Tap Festival

Same Planet Performance Project in Altered, photo by Vin Reed.

 
“Chicago’s Best Dance Theatre”
— Chicago Magazine

1990-91

  • Doug Varone and Dancers

  • David Dorfman Dance

  • Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble

  • Joe Goode Performance Group

  • Margaret Jenkins/Rinde Eckert

  • Shapiro & Smith Dance

  • Chicago Repertory Dance Ensemble

  • Jan Erkert & Dancers

 

1991-92

  • “Dancing in the State”

  • DanceAfrica Chicago 91

  • Trisha Brown Dance Company

  • Margaret Jenkins Dance Company

  • Susanne Linke

  • Muna Tseng

  • Nucleodanza

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

 

1988-89

  • David Parsons Dance Company

  • Men Dancing

  • Susan Marshall & Company

  • Margaret Jenkins Dance Company

  • Lynda Martha Dance Company

  • After the Fall Festival (featuring Ping Chong, Allen Ginsberg, Kenward Elmlies, and Maureen Sherlock)

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Muntu African Dance Theatre

1989-90

  • Present Vision/Past Voice – The African American Tradition in Modern Dance (featuring Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Urban Bush Women, Jubilation! Dance Company, Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater, Bebe Miller Company, Bill T. Jones / Arnie Zane & Co.)

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Muntu African Dance Theatre

  • Lynda Martha Dance Company

  • Robin Lakes/Rough Dance

 

1986-87

1987-88

  • Schlemmer Bauhaus Dances

  • New England Dinosaur

  • Jazz Tap Ensemble

  • Danny Grossman Dance Company

  • Tandy Beal

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Osgood Dances

  • Dan Wagoner & Dancers

  • Nana Shineflug/Mary Ward

  • ODC/San Francisco

  • Maria Benitez Spanish Dance Company

  • Ze’eva Cohen Dance Company

  • Robert Small

  • Wendy Perron & Dancers

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Bob Eisen/Robin Lakes

  • Akasha Company

  • Nana Shineflug/Mary Ward

  • Pat Olesszko

 

1984-85

  • Foolsfire

  • Collaborations: New Dance/New Music (various artists)

  • Momix

  • Kathryn Posin Dance Company

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • ODC/San Francisco

1985-86

  • Rachel Lampert & Dancers

  • Bucket Dance Theatre

  • Ohad Naharin & Dancers

  • Rosiland Newman & Dancers

  • Loretta Livingston & Dancers

 

 

1982-83

1983-84

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Molissa Fenley

  • Eric Hawkins Dance Company

  • Kei Takei’s Moving Earth

  • Hannah Kahn Dance Company

  • Together Again

  • Judith Ragir

  • Bella Lewitzky Dance Company

  • Collaborations: New Dance/New Music (various artists)

  • Claudia Gitelman

  • Bob Berky

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • David Gordon/Pick Up Company

  • Maria Cheng

 

1980-81

1981-82

  • Martha Clarke’s Crowsnest

  • Karen Steele Dance Quintet

  • Three Dancers: Bobrow/Erkert/Osgood

  • Charlie Vernon

  • Dancing Turtle, Stormy Mullis & Kathryn Bernson

  • Bill T. Jones

  • Margaret Jenkins Dance Company

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Dan Wagoner & Dancers

  • Bottom of the Bucket…But Dance Theatre (now Garth Fagan Dance)

  • Chicago City Ballet

  • Bill T. Jones

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Nancy Hauser Dance Company

“named ‘Best Dance Venue’ ”
— by the Chicago Reader

glowing, by Kota Yamazaki/fluid hug hug, photograph by Tyler Sparks.

1978-79

1979-80

  • Viola Farber Dance Company

  • Gus Giordano Dance Company

  • A Dance Ensemble

  • Dance Circus

  • Ko-Thi Dance Company

  • HARRY / Senta Driver

  • Oregon Mime Theatre

  • Hubbard Street Dance Company

  • Sara Rudner Performance Ensemble

  • Backwater Twosome/Steve Paxton

  • Wimmer, Wimmer & Dancers

  • June Finch

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Kathy Berson/Stormy Mullis

  • Chicago Moving Company

 

Shirley Mordine, founder of the Dance Center.

1977-78

  • Rotante Dance Company

  • Beverly Blossom and Company

  • Rod Rogers Dance Company

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Jansdances

  • Trio Flamenco

  • Chicago Moving Company

 

 

 

1975-76

1976-77

  • Phyllis Lamhut Dance Company

  • The Chicago Dance Troupe

  • Erick Hawkins Dance Company

  • Dance Cinema

  • Chicago Moving Company

  • Blue Mountain Paper Parade

  • Carol Crisostom Phillipine Dance

  • Chicago Moving Company

  • Annabelle Gamson

  • Bill Evans Dance Company

  • Mordine & Company Dance Theater

  • Nancy Meehan Dance Company

 

Bill T. Jones / Arnie Zane Company in Story/Time, photo by Paul B. Goode.

1974-75

  • Chicago Contemporary Dance Company

  • Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company

  • Bill Evans Dance Company

  • Maria Alba Spanish Dance Company (now Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre)

  • Kathak Dances of India