Founded by choreographer and educator Shirley Mordine, the Dance Center was established in 1969 to house Columbia College Chicago’s Dance Department. In 1974, the Dance Center established its presenting series to provide students and Chicago audiences with opportunities to experience contemporary dance in a professional setting. The Dance Center moved from Uptown to the current location in the South Loop at 13th and Michigan in 2000. Today, the Dance Center offers a full range of programs designed to enhance and expand the quality and quantity of dance available in Chicago and the Midwest.

Here's just a small sampling of the hundreds of companies we've presented over the past four decades.

 

2020-21 Season

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

 


2017-18 Season


2016-17

nora chipaumire, photo by Elise Fitte Duval.

nora chipaumire, photo by Elise Fitte Duval.





2012-13

Kota Yamazaki, photo by Tyler Sparks.

Kota Yamazaki, photo by Tyler Sparks.

Gallim Dance, photo by Stephen Schreiber.

Gallim Dance, photo by Stephen Schreiber.

View our full archive, with a listing of the companies and dance artists we've presented since 1974.


banner image: Giordano Dance Company, photography: Gorman Cook Photography.