A new year and a brand new slew of residencies coming your way, SCDT fans! We have a residency each month leading up to our big show in April and we could not be more excited about our first guest choreographer, Terence (Terry) Marling. He’s a Chicago native and was my personal saving grace during Covid season as he led virtual ballet classes EVERY day on Instagram Live. Terry loves the Chicago dance community and it loves him right back!

Today was day one of our 10 day process with Mr. Marling. Terry started out the day by talking with all of us, getting to know all of our names, and speaking about his plan for our 10 minute quintet he was about to begin. It felt like he’s really passionate about this process and really cared about getting us involved in it as much as possible. I loved that he said that the environment in which he makes a piece is ultra-important to him. He cares about collaboration, kindness, willingness, and all around human connection.

It seems that that is exactly what the piece is going to be about – human connection. We have not yet learned who the five people performing in the piece are yet as Terry took this first day to see how we move, provide us with tasks, and observe us work together as a group. I love that he’s taking the time to get to know us as dancers and I think that’s important in making a successful piece.

As always, I’ll keep you updated throughout and with the final product of Terry’s residency. He’s such a confident, kind, and observant person that I have no doubt these two weeks with him will be absolutely amazing!

Until the end of the residency…see you then!