Vibrant and innovative, DanceWorks Chicago is proud to share a diverse repertory featuring who is new and what is next in contemporary dance as well as showcase exciting work from established choreographers. DWC is dedicated to creating an environment conducive to nurturing experiences of significance for everyone from artist to audience.
Under the inspired leadership of Artistic Director Julie Nakagawa and CEO Andreas Böttcher, the duo who founded Hubbard Street 2, DWC is a young organization benefitting from experienced leadership. An exceptional family of six hand-picked dancers brings integrity, passion, and excellence to performances. DanceWorks Chicago has already enjoyed local, national, and international performance/touring opportunities in their first five years of existence.
In the Chicago area DWC has appeared in cozy suburban public library spaces; large, outdoor spaces; and in many different theaters with a wide-ranging technical capacities. DWC was invited by the Harris Theater for Music and Dance to collaborate on a new lunchtime series which received a Best of 2009 nod from Sid Smith of the Chicago Tribune, “…the Harris’ Michael Tiknis and fledgling DanceWorks Chicago proved, with the new series Eat to the Beat, that even the lunch hour can serve up fine dance.” Nationally, DWC has appeared at Ballet Builders in NYC, performing in a shared evening with very limited tech time. Internationally, DWC presented 20 performances of repertoire programs and a production of an urban version of the classic ballet Petrushka in a variety of venues throughout Germany during the 2009-2010 season.
In 2011, they were invited to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI for a three week residency, culminating with a public performance that included a group of student dancers. The review at MLIVE.com said "...extraordinary dancers...a riveting performance that showcased the terrific range and fullness of this exciting comapany in both technique and artistry." (October 29, 2011)
