It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our visionary founder, Shirley Mordine, who led the Dance Center from 1969 until 1999. Mordine died early Friday, May 2, 2025 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. She was 89.
Shirely Mordine, photo by Katie Graves.
Shirley Mordine’s impact on Columbia and the broader dance community is immeasurable. A pioneering force in contemporary dance, her leadership transformed the Dance Center into a nationally recognized institution for dance education, performance, and public engagement.
In that same year, she established her own company—The Dance Troupe, later known as Mordine & Company Dance Theater—and continued to shape the field through her creative work, teaching, mentorship, and advocacy for dance as a vital part of cultural life.
Shirley launched Columbia’s Dance Presenting Series in 1974, creating the city’s only platform dedicated solely to dance performance. The series brought prestigious dance companies and artists to Chicago often for the first time including such luminaries as Erick Hawkins, Bill T. Jones / Arnie Zane Company, Margaret Jenkins Dance Company, Ohad Naharin & Dancers, ODC/San Francisco, Tandy Beal, Joe Goode Performance Group, Trisha Brown Dance Company, Shapiro & Smith, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Ralph Lemon Company, H.T. Chen, Bebe Miller, and Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, amongst numerous others. In 1991, she collaborated with the Dance Center’s Executive Director Woodie T. White, Ph.D. to bring DanceAfrica to Chicago, further elevating the Dance Center’s role as a cultural leader.
During and after her time at Columbia College, Mordine continued creating dances for Mordine & Company, which made regular appearances as part of the Dance Presenting Series on the Dance Center stage and also at sites throughout Chicago.
“I always think of making dances in terms of what I observe in the world,” Mordine said in 2017. “’Every dance should be new, strange and beautiful.’ I don’t remember who told me that, but I like it.”
“When preparing for the 50th anniversary celebration of the company in 2019, Shirley was asked what drew her to dance, she replied simply: “Dance saved my life.””
Mordine & Company Dance Theater presented Mordine’s work alongside repertory by other artists for 50 years becoming the Midwest’s longest-running modern dance company. When preparing for the 50th anniversary celebration of the company in 2019, she was asked what drew her to dance, she replied simply: "Dance saved my life."
In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the college and the art form, Shirley was awarded Columbia College Chicago’s Presidential Medal for Distinguished Service in 1999.
“Shirley surrounded herself with visionary artists, collaborators and dancers who shared her passion for dance and theater ,” said Pamela McNeil, told the Chicago Tribune. McNeil joined Mordine & Company in 1992 and recently retired from the Dance Center as a faculty and staff member. “She was uncompromising when it came to the work, never settling — always pushing for more.”
We extend our deepest condolences to her family, colleagues, and the many students and artists who she inspired throughout her remarkable career. Shirley’s legacy lives on in every dancer who trains at the Dance Center and in the vibrant creative spirit that animates our community.
Photos: banner photo - Shirley Mordine in Silver Lining (1981), photo by Richard Klein; portrait above by Katie Graves; slide show images: Silver Lining (1981) by Richard Klein; in rehearsal photos by Richard Woodbury; photos from the Columbia College Chicago archives of Shirley teaching; Shirley Mordine portrait: Columbia College Chicago archives; contact print: Columbia College Chicago Archives; image from Dance Center calendar, image by William Frederking; additional photos: Columbia College Chicago archives.
Shirley Mordine, from the Dance Center, Columbia College, Chicago archives.
