Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Name	Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Founded	1977
Founders	Lou Conte
Location	Chicago, Illinois
Venue	Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Artistic director	(see Artistic Direction and Repertoire)

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is a contemporary dance ensemble based in Chicago, Illinois, known for presenting innovative choreography, commissioning new works, and fostering collaborations across genres. The company has engaged leading choreographers and performers from across the United States and internationally, maintaining a repertoire that blends modern dance, postmodern experimentation, and contemporary ballet influences. Through touring, residencies, and educational initiatives, the organization has become a major presence in the American performing arts landscape.

History

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago traces its roots to the establishment of a Chicago-based troupe by Lou Conte in 1977, emerging amid the activity surrounding the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the city's vibrant Chicago cultural institutions network. Early seasons featured collaborations with choreographers associated with Graham technique, Martha Graham, and practitioners linked to the Joffrey Ballet and Alwin Nikolais. In the 1980s and 1990s the company expanded under artistic leaders who cultivated relationships with figures such as William Forsythe, Jirí Kylián, Paul Taylor, Merce Cunningham, and Twyla Tharp, aligning Hubbard Street with national institutions like the New York City Ballet and festivals including the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and the Spoleto Festival USA. Later administrative transitions connected the organization with Chicago venues including the Newberry Library neighborhood, the Chicago Cultural Center, and residency partnerships with universities such as Northwestern University and the University of Chicago.

Artistic Direction and Repertoire

Artistic leadership has featured directors and guest creators who bridged styles linked to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Teresita Fernández projects, and commissions reminiscent of works from Paul Taylor Dance Company and Batsheva Dance Company. Repertoire development emphasized premieres by international figures like William Forsythe, Jirí Kylián, Ohad Naharin, and contemporary American choreographers from companies such as Pilobolus and Martha Graham Dance Company. The company has also staged works by artists associated with Mark Morris Dance Group, Lucinda Childs, and collaborators from the Bang on a Can collective, incorporating music connected to ensembles like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and composers of the Elliott Carter tradition. Visual and set design collaborations have involved designers who worked with institutions like the Guggenheim Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Company Members and Notable Alumni

Company rosters have included dancers trained at conservatories and schools such as the Juilliard School, School of American Ballet, The Ailey School, American Ballet Theatre School, and the Northwestern University dance program. Notable alumni have moved on to roles with ensembles like the New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and international groups including Royal Ballet of Flanders and Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. Guest artists and collaborators have included principals and choreographers affiliated with Martha Graham Dance Company, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Batsheva Dance Company, William Forsythe's Forsythe Company, and soloists from the Joffrey Ballet.

Education and Community Programs

Education initiatives have paired the company with Chicago institutions including Chicago Public Schools, the Lyric Opera of Chicago's outreach efforts, and cultural partners such as the Chicago Children's Choir and the Hyde Park Arts Center. Programming has offered master classes modeled on curricula from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts dance department and mentorship schemes similar to those run by the Kennedy Center and National Endowment for the Arts initiatives. Community choreography projects have connected with neighborhood organizations like the Chicago Arts District and local festivals such as the Ravinia Festival to broaden access to contemporary dance.

Tours and Residencies

Touring history encompasses performances at major venues and festivals including the Kennedy Center, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Paris Opera Ballet-associated stages, and international appearances at organizations like the Sadler's Wells Theatre, BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Residencies have been hosted by academic institutions and cultural centers including Northwestern University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Carnegie Mellon University, and collaborations with the Chicago Cultural Center and the Harris Theater for Music and Dance.

Awards and Recognition

The company and its artists have received honors comparable to awards conferred by the John S. Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and fellowships from institutions like the MacArthur Foundation and the Princess Grace Foundation. Choreographers associated with the company have earned commissions, prizes, and nominations from entities such as the Bessie Awards, the Tony Awards (via crossover projects), and grants from arts funders including the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and state arts councils.

Category:Dance companies in Chicago Category:Contemporary dance companies