Chicago has been a groundbreaking force in the dance world for over a century. The city revolutionized dance in the 1920s by introducing a unique blend of classical ballet and modern dance. Chicago is also the birthplace of many globally recognized dance traditions from African American, West Indian, and various cultures. Even iconic dance moves like the Cha-Cha Slide, Footwork, the Polka Hop, and house dance all originated here.
While the history is fascinating, experiencing Chicago dance firsthand is much more exciting. From historic theaters and public parks to museums and universities, you can immerse yourself in everything from classical ballet and tap to percussive and contemporary dance. These performances are brought to life by acclaimed local, national, and international companies.
Here are some of the many Chicago dance companies, venues, and events that you should explore.
Chicago dance companies
Dancers in Giselle rehearsal at Oregon Ballet Theatre, showcasing ballet performance in Chicago
Chicago Repertory Ballet If you believe you understand ballet, prepare to be surprised. Chicago Repertory Ballet upholds Chicago’s pioneering ballet heritage by challenging audience expectations of the art form. They seamlessly blend classical and contemporary dance into extraordinary performances that have captivated Chicago audiences for more than ten years.
Chicago Tap Theatre Chicago Tap Theatre narrates stories through tap dance, making this dynamic style relatable and engaging for everyone. Simultaneously, the company consistently pushes tap into new creative territories, constantly refining its techniques and methods to surprise and delight audiences.
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater Chicago’s legacy of celebrating African American dance traditions spans almost a century. Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, aptly named, draws inspiration from American and African American dance and storytelling forms. They collaborate with renowned choreographers celebrated for their contributions to modern dance and ballet. Experience Deeply Rooted’s diverse performances at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance located in Millennium Park.
Giordano Dance Chicago Giordano Dance Chicago brings the energy of “all that jazz” to the Chicago stage, featuring innovative and fresh choreography that honors one of America’s premier dance genres. For fifty years, this company has performed in over 1,200 cities globally and has created more than 165 original dance pieces. You can witness Giordano Dance Chicago performances at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.
Hubbard Street Dance Company Since 1977, Hubbard Street Dance Company’s exceptionally original performances have been expanding the creative frontiers of contemporary dance. The company tours both nationally and internationally throughout the year and performs locally in Chicago at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance and the Museum of Contemporary Art MCA Stage.
Joffrey Ballet Direct your attention to the historic Lyric Opera House, home to the Joffrey Ballet. This company is globally acclaimed for its mastery of classical ballet, innovative modern dance productions, and a signature Chicago-style fusion of both. As the largest dance company in Chicago, the Joffrey Ballet has been a leading force in the region’s dance scene for over 65 years.
Jump Rhythm Jazz Project The Jump Rhythm Jazz Project taps into the fundamental human need for expression through dance and movement. Their dynamic performances showcase a wide spectrum of emotions, celebrating the interplay of voice and movement through a unique blend of dance and song.
Ballet 5:8 Ballet 5:8 is a pioneering female and minority-led company that crafts original ballet experiences inspired by life, faith, current events, and diverse viewpoints. Since its inception in 2012, Ballet 5:8 has presented over 45 critically acclaimed ballets. You can enjoy Ballet 5:8’s compelling performances at venues including the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture, Navy Pier, and the National Museum of Mexican Art.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms Discover M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ Tap Jams, a dance series that honors influential tap dancers from past decades and their significant contributions to tap as “America’s art form.” All of M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ passionate shows offer insight into tap’s history, versatility, and expressive power.
Muntu Dance Theatre This innovative company presents modern interpretations of traditional African and African-American dance and music. Drawing inspiration from both ancient and contemporary sources, Muntu (meaning “the essence of humanity”) is dedicated to preserving African dance traditions while developing new works that build upon them.
Visceral Dance Chicago Visceral Dance Chicago is known for being bold, progressive, and contemporary, bridging a vast range of dance styles. The company focuses on expressing raw human emotion through physical movement, resulting in breathtakingly beautiful performances. You can experience Visceral’s latest performances at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, among other locations.
Chicago’s contemporary dance venues
Dance Center of Columbia College The Dance Center of Columbia College is continually exploring the boundaries of dance. Founded in 1969 by visionary choreographer and educator Shirley Mordine, the center showcases contemporary Midwestern dance companies.
Harris Theater For Music and Dance Its location in the beautiful Millennium Park is just the beginning. The Harris Theater itself is unique, featuring a minimalist glass facade that offers a view into the lobby before you descend into the subterranean auditorium. Here, you can see performances from leading Chicago dance companies, including Hubbard Street Dance Company, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, Visceral Dance Chicago, and Giordano Dance Chicago.
The Ruth Page Center for the Arts As a hub for artistic growth, The Ruth Page Center for the Arts is committed to nurturing talented dancers and connecting them with the wider community. This nationally recognized center was established by international dance icon Ruth Page. Today, it carries forward her vision, presenting captivating performances that constantly propel dance into exciting new directions.
Links Hall Links Hall serves as a home for artists across various disciplines, functioning as an artistic incubator and venue dedicated to supporting local Chicago artists. For four decades, Links Hall has hosted residency and sponsorship programs, artist-curated festivals, affordable studio rentals, and more. They also regularly present new works from a diverse array of dancers throughout Chicago.
Museum of Contemporary Art MCA Stage The Museum of Contemporary Art offers more than just visual contemporary art. The intimate Edlis Neeson Theater is a cutting-edge performance space, hosting today’s most innovative contemporary dance, as well as theatre and music. Past performances have included experimental step-dance collaborations, adaptations of American folk dance, and groundbreaking new pieces.
Chicago’s dance festivals and events
People enjoying SummerDance in Grant Park, a popular Chicago dance event
Chicago’s passion for dance is so profound that the city dedicates an entire month to it. For the past decade, Chicago Dance Month has presented an extensive program of performances, events, workshops, and more across the city.
If you’re visiting during the summer, come and display your moves — and learn some new ones — at Chicago SummerDance, a lively outdoor dance party. The Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park transforms into a vibrant urban dance floor, complete with live music, dance performances, and free lessons in various styles from swing to samba.
The dance celebration extends into Chicago’s neighborhoods with Chicago Dance In The Parks. Expect free outdoor concerts and dance performances showcasing professional dancers and contemporary choreographers in local parks throughout the city.
For tap enthusiasts, Rhythm World is a must-attend annual summer festival of tap and percussive dance presented by the Chicago Human Rhythm Project. The festival culminates in a week of performances at venues citywide, featuring local, national, and international tap dance companies and solo artists.
DanceAfrica Chicago, hosted by Muntu Dance Theatre, celebrates African and African American dance, music, and folklore. The festival includes a rich program of performances, events, and workshops featuring local talent and artists from around the globe.
Also produced by the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Stomping Grounds is a two-month festival honoring the city’s acclaimed percussive dance companies. Throughout the festival, you can find performances by diverse groups of artists from numerous ensembles in neighborhoods throughout Chicago. The Grand Finale performance is held at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park.
And at the historic Auditorium Theatre, you can experience Dance For Life, an annual summer event uniting leading Chicago dance companies to support The Dancers’ Fund and HIV/AIDS research through Chicago Dancers United. The Auditorium Theatre also presents a diverse schedule of programming from local, national, and international dance companies, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Folklórico de México, Giordano Dance Chicago, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, among others, throughout the year.
