Last Tour of the Season!
It's such a bittersweet feeling when the Season comes to a close. Luckily, this year the Auditorium was not our final bow. On May 30, 2025 South Chicago Dance Theatre's Season 8 Company members took the stage at Red Rock Dance Festival in St. George, Utah.
This repertoire concert was performed for a large group of festival attendees, local dancers, St. George Dance Company, and any local dance fans! The show opened with three pieces from St. George Dance Company and was followed by five repertoire pieces from us!
Fan-favorites from past and present were performed. Including: "Under the Skin" by Tsai Hsi Hung, "In Lieu of Flowers" by Kia S. Smith, "On a Lark" by Stephanie Martinez, "FOLK" by Kate Weare, and "an opening" by Terence Marling.
Post-show, us dancers engaged in a Q&A session that anyone interested was welcome to stay for. We were overwhelmed by the support and love we felt from the audience. One little girl, not more than 10-years old, even told us that watching us made her realize she wanted to do what we do and dance onstage as a professional. It's moments like that that truly remind us why we do what we do.
For our final bow, we were so privileged to have performed on a beautiful stage in such a breath-taking city. Us nine company members have soaked up this experience as the dancers here are hungry for more, the scenery leaves us in awe, and the weather is the perfect kick-off to our summer break.
Until next season!!
XOXO,
Kelly Anderson
Home Season 8 - WE DID IT!
Somehow, the day has come and gone and our Home Season show for Season 8 at the Auditorium Theatre already happened this past Saturday!
What a success it was - it was a compilation of so many different repertoire pieces. It showed the variety of dancing and emotional performance of South Chicago Dance Theatre and I could not be more proud of the people I work with!
Saturday was such a full day - we came in early (like 9:30am type of early) to.walk through lighting cues and spacing for Kia's half-evening length work, we did technical rehearsals for our 3 other pieces, and then we warmed our bodies up for the big show and it was off and running at 7:30pm!
The show ran approximately two hours long and immediately after the curtain fell, the 18 of us dancers were celebrating, screaming, jumping, and full of happiness and relief!
Whenever a show is complete, of course we are sad it's over, but it's the BEST feeling to know it went well, the audience received it, and all of your hard work paid off!
My co-workers are some of the best people I know and I could not be more proud to be a part of such a talented ensemble of dancers.
If you came out to the show on May 3, THANK YOU! You are the reason we do what we do and we are always so thrilled to share our art with you!
UNTIL NEXT SEASON!
8 things I do to Prep for "Show Week"
As a dancer, show week is one of the most exhilarating and exciting things. The feel of moving into a theater, being backstage, putting on makeup, and rehearsing for the big performance is all part of the gig. It struck me awhile ago that most people don't even know what a "backstage" looks like. Most people only EVER view the stage from a chair in the audience. For a performer, and for myself, backstage just feels like home. The stage crew, the lights, the curtains, the "GOING DARK!" hollered from your stage manager...it's all part of our life and our routine that seems so second nature to us. In prepping for a show, it's so exciting to get to the stage, but it goes without saying that it's A TON of hard work. I love show week more than anything, but it does bring about nerves and anxious energy. Throughout the years, I've learned how I operate and what best helps ME to get myself ready for a show. In no particular order, and some pictured above, here are 8 things that help me as a performer get ready for the stage!
- Journaling! I love writing my thoughts about the day, rehearsals, notes I've gotten, etc. down on paper. It helps me clear my mind and stay focused leading up to the show!
- Working out. As we get closer to the performance, my workouts are less power-driven and stamina-focused, but rather more focused on mind-body connection so I can really hone in on my coordination and breath!
- Speaking of breath - I do a lot of breath work and meditation! It calms me down right before I go onstage.
- Engaging in my hobbies outside of dance - like reading, going for a walk, exploring Chicago! Keeping my mind active and cup full as I get closer to the show! It's a helpful reset and recover as rehearsals get more intense!
- GOOD SLEEP! I'm a person who needs a lot of sleep and I typically prefer 8 hours. The week of the show, I do everything I can to be in bed early and ready to snooze!
- Recovery practices - Epsom salt baths, massages, rolling my muscles out, stretching, drinking lots of water - it all helps to stabilize my aches, pains, and soreness before the performance!
- FRIENDS, FAMILY, GOOD PEOPLE! I cannot stress this enough - the people I surround myself with help me through it all! I have some of the most supportive co-workers, friends, family, etc! I need their energy to help me through!
- Rest! It's the Friday night before the show and I am in for the night, under a blanket, drinking hot tea and relaxing. We as dancers put ourselves through so much, we need to take care of our bodies and rest whenever we can take advantage of it!
Hope to.see you on May 3 at the Auditorium Theatre!! I'll be using the above 8 practices to keep me in line leading up to the best show!! the best show!!
Our First Rehearsal at KLS!
A very exciting week for us at SCDT because we had our first few days of rehearsal in the Kattan/Landau Studios at The Auditorium Theatre!!
I like to call it "Show Mode", but the closer we get to a performance, the more I zero in and get to focus on preparing for being on the big stage for our home season show! One of the best parts of this time is being in a bigger space. Luckily, on the Roosevelt University campus, there's a giant studio the exact size of the Auditorium Theatre stage. This is helpful so that we can space our dances, hit our marks, and get used to traveling in a big space.
Why is this so important to us as dancers?
We have to be spatially smart. A piece may be choreographed with exactly 4 steps to get to our next formation and you HAVE to do those 4 steps on the exact beat of the music. When you are in a bigger space, those four steps have to be much larger and you have to get a feel of exactly how to move/how to perform those choreographed movements.
More space also allows our Rehearsal Director to view the piece how one would see it on stage. For lack of a better way of explaining it, you can "zoom out" and see the big picture of the performance!
TWO MORE WEEKS until the big stage!! I'll take you along for the journey, but we are surely excited to be so close to such a wonderful show.
Tickets are on sale now!!! Visit https://www.axs.com/events/531338/south-chicago-dance-theatre-tickets?skin=theauditorium&_gl=1*12bmql*_gcl_au*MTMxNTk1NTY0OS4xNzQ1MTgxNTIw*_ga*MTY1ODcwNTU5NS4xNzQ1MTgxNTIw*_ga_HRK2MMXV9R*MTc0NTE4MTUxOS4xLjAuMTc0NTE4MTUxOS42MC4wLjA. to get your tickets!!!
Gearing up for IN/WITHIN!
What a fitting day to be writing this blog - we are exactly one month away from our Auditorium Theatre show!
This year, the show is called "IN/WITHIN" and features 4 works which includes our own Kia S. Smith's half-evening length work of the same title - "IN/WITHIN".
You may be wondering what else you'll see on the stage on Saturday, May 3. Well, audience favorite "Under the Skin" by Tsai Hsi Hung is making a comeback. It was such a hit last season with its dark costuming including hair worn down, intricate and athletic choreography, and compelling score! It's one of my all-time favorite pieces and it's back!
In addition, you will see a new work choreography by Kate Weare that takes you on a journey and introduces the audience to a village of people who all relate to one another in different ways - be that attraction or conflict.
You also won't want to miss SCDT's debut of "Temporal Trance" originally choreographed on and performed by River North Dance Chicago! The piece is choreographed by none other than Frank Chavez, who happens to also be our Cultural Hero award recipient!
It's sure to be a jam-packed night of wonderful dancing and choreography that no one should miss! Tickets are available NOW on auditoriumtheatre.org! Help us sell the place out!! :)
Travel Recap - Spring Break is Near!!
Every year, South Chicago Dance Theatre has a Spring Break! Just like most public schools and Universities, right around the start of Spring it feels like time for a break from the hard work and discipline!
At SCDT, this allows Company dancers to visit their hometowns as many of us are not originally from Chicago. We have dancers from all over - Texas, California, Georgia, Virginia, and many of the Midwest states as well! As our Spring Break begins at the top of next week, I though it'd be fun for me to break down 10 of my favorite travel spots that I've been to with South Chicago Dance Theatre! Some are big, some are small, but all gave me memories I'll hold onto with some of my favorite people!
As for me - my hometown is Milwaukee, Wisconsin! Although I'll be taking a weekend trip north to see family, I do plan on relaxing and enjoying Chicago sans-work for a week! Below, in no particular order, are the places I've loved traveling to while being a part of the Company over the last 5 years!
- A few years ago, but still a favorite - AMSTERDAM! It was so fun to explore the city and immerse ourselves in European dance!
- LAGUNA BEACH! We just went this year for an Opera performance/collaboration, but it was beautiful and so relaxing!
- COLOMBIA, SOUTH AMERICA! I will never forget seeing all of Colombia from one of the highest altitude viewing points while we were there - gorgeous!!
- ST. LOUIS - it was wonderful being in 2 of our company members' hometowns, having an after party with one of their families, and making memories that will last forever. I laughed WAY too much that night after performing in Spring to Dance.
- SOUTH KOREA! With our Seoul-mates! We love Joseph and his dancers so much and having him show us around their city was wonderful.
- VIETNAM - we went for a short time after South Korea, but everything (especially the food) was top-notch!!
- A special place is in my heart for KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN! My alma mater is Western Michigan University and returning there for a week was so nostalgic!
- Jacob's Pillow in BECKETT, MASSACHUSETTS will always and forever be unforgettable. That's all I have to say about it - a pure dream!
- Most recently, DAYTON, OHIO! Our friends at Dayton Contemporary Dance Company were so welcoming and such fierce dancers!
- Lastly, I'll let you guess what's next....we are ALWAYS on the move and Season 9 will only bring more and more travel....
WHERE TO NEXT?
Season 9 Audition!!
Just last Friday it was our annual AUDITION for the following season!
This years' did not disappoint! Jessica (our Rehearsal Director) and Terra (our General Manager) organized such a smooth day. All of us Company Members came to help out, direct auditioners where to go, and to teach our repertoire!
The Audition ran from 9am-4pm and after 400 applications were submitted and reviewed, 200 people were invited to dance with us in studio! People auditioning for the company come from all over and experience multiple rounds of learning dance material. Typically, we start with a general ballet round, and then move forward to some of our repertoire!
If you came out to the audition, here's a GIANT THANK YOU for all of your beautiful energy and talent! We saw so many kind and wonderful people and dancers throughout the day. Auditions can often times feel stressful and nerve-wracking, but we hope you enjoyed the environment that is South Chicago Dance Theatre and felt so welcome into our home at Hyde Park School of Dance!
Until next year!!
DCDC x SCDT
It was a whirlwind of a weekend in Dayton, Ohio as we joined forces with the beautiful dancers of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company in their Winter Show - "Power & Presence".
We love any opportunity that allows us to get to know our dance community - near & far - in a better, more intimate way. Kia is an alumna of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company's Second Company and was invited to show work on their Winter 2025 concert this past weekend!
Nine of us dancers drove to Ohio and had the quickest turnaround - tech rehearsal for lighting and spacing, straight into a dress rehearsal the next day, straight into 2 back-to-back days of shows! We presented our excerpt of "Memoirs of Jazz in the Alley" while DCDC showed three recent works, some choreographed by members of the company!
One of my favorite parts is meeting the new dancers, but I have to admit that my top favorite part of this weekend was being able to sit in the audience and experience DCDC's second act from the audience perspective. As performers, we often live backstage. When we are granted the opportunity to be an audience member and experience the lighting, staging, costuming, and choreography from the viewpoint of the audience, it's one of the most delightful things to watch. Sometimes, I forget how magical dance can be in its full production. The dancers of DCDC were FULL OUT and giving so much power and grace. It was inspiring and surely good energy to take back to the studio with us.
That's truly the most beautiful thing about crossing paths with other dancers - we reignite each others' love for the art form. I'm heading back to rehearsal this week with a full heart and the reminder of how touching and powerful dance is to its audience.
Off to Dayton!
"Where to next?" you may ask us. South Chicago Dance Theatre is always on the move, and although we do have our biggest show of the year on the horizon in the beginning of May, there's no doubt that we are out-and-about dancing all over in the meantime!
As we wrap up our final Black History Month shows, March is right around the corner. In fact, this Friday we leave for Dayton, Ohio for an extra special performance. Our own Kia S. Smith is an alumnus of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company's second company! She performed with them prior to moving to Chicago and starting SCDT. In honor of her successes as of late, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) has invited us to Ohio to perform alongside them!
We've done this type of collaboration in the past - we were a part of Giordano Dance Chicago's 60th season celebration by collaborating with the dancers on a piece choreographed by Kia. This particular performance is a bit different. Since DCDC is out of town, they've invited us to showcase one piece of our repertoire during their performance at the Victorian Theatre in downtown Dayton.
What will we be showing? None other than an excerpt of the fan favorite evening-length work "Memoirs of Jazz in the Alley"! We've done a 15-minute version of this piece multiple times on tour, including at Jacob's Pillow! We are thrilled to be performing it again and to meet so many new and fabulous dancers on DCDC!
Near Dayton? Check out tickets online at "dcdc.org"!
Happy Black History Month from SCDT!
Happy February and Happy Black History month from all of us at SCDT!
For the past six seasons, South Chicago Dance Theatre has been more active than ever during Black History Month. We take members of the Main Company, Associate, and Emerging Artist Programs into various Chicago-area schools to help the students celebrate Black History Month!
Our performance ranges from 30 to 45 minutes in length and is a fun representation of Black culture and it's influence on music, dance, poetry, and socially! We perform a dance to the Black National Anthem ("Lift Every Voice and Sing") that excites the kids and teaches them about the colors on the African American flag. We also expose kids to Black artists' creation of jazz music and dance that became very popular during the Civil Rights Era. Finally, we finish the show with our grand finale - a dance to an upbeat version of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream Speech"! It's truly a fan favorite that gets the whole audience clapping and reminds kids that MLK's speech in 1963 still has a lasting impact today, even in the halls of their school.
At the end of each performance, us dancers get to introduce ourselves and answer questions from the children. These sweet kids always have a plethora of questions ranging from why we starting dancing to how old we are and if we are all friends! Not only do the students get to see a dance show and have exposure to the arts, but they can learn through movement and interaction with our performance!
Black History Month series in February is ALWAYS one of our favorites that we look forward to year after year. Happy Black History Month!!