We’re back!! South Chicago Dance Theatre has been in rehearsal training and learning repertory for the past two weeks and what a pleasure it has been.

2020 has been a wild ride for everyone – with quarantine, health issues, and new guidelines and procedures to abide by, we are all adjusting to this new normal. As a dance artist, I have missed the stage and performing. More than that, though, I have missed the indescribable feeling of being in a room with other dancers sharing time, space, and energy. This collective joy not only sparks inspiration and happiness, but gives me a sense of belonging. Plain and simple – it’s why I do what I do.

Although the majority of us company members and emerging artists are brand new to SCDT, rehearsal immediately felt like Home for all of us. Dance has a special way of breaking barriers and introducing us to one another through the language of movement. I already feel inspired and challenged by my fellow dancers while also learning their personalities through their individual movement quality. Shannon is ambitious, Kyle is patient, Imani is so willing, Heather is poised, and Kim is dynamic. We all bring such different traits to the table – what is one person’s strength is what the rest of us can look to for motivation. We have diverse training backgrounds, but we also have various backgrounds as people. That is what makes our company so beautiful and what makes me so excited to continue this season. I see so much opportunity for growth and as an artist that thrills me. Stay tuned everyone! I have a good feeling about the rest of this year!!

-Kelly Anderson