The holiday season carries with it special time for reflection, gratitude for today, and hope for the future. Creation is a powerful entity that embodies inspiration, invention, formation, connection, change, and growth! Here at TDC, we are grateful to have recently celebrated commUNITY as a part of the See Chicago Dance gala, and are relishing the season as a time of creative endings and new beginnings. As we move forward, we carry such excitement for the possibilities that the new year holds with our gaze now turning to the future, it’s infinite possibilities, and the many gifts of commUNITY that have made dance flourish and grow. In New Dances, reimagined as New Dances / New Horizons, we are so very grateful for our match donors, David R. Hall and Michael C. Nugent, and thoughtfully ask for your consideration of support, as we, together, carve a special space for and shine a light on the talented artists in our rich and vibrant Chicago dance landscape. 

“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.”  

-American Jazz Artist, Lionel Hampton

With heARTful thanks,

Calling all Chicago-land dancemakers, we’re here for you!

New Dances / New Horizons’ focus is on providing support for Chicago-based dancemakers in this exciting pilot season. 

TDC is thrilled to share wonderful details of the reimagining of New Dances, designed to address artist needs:

• What: ND / NH  will provide support for our commUNITY through project-based microgrants of up to $500. 
• Who: In this pilot season, ND / NH will focus on early-career, Chicago-based choreographers.
• When: The application cycle will flow roughly in the same timeline as ND in previous years. Application opens in February → Grantees selected in March → Grant activity period March-June.
• Where: ​​ND / NH is designed to #SupportLocal. Choreographers must be current residents of Chicago or live within 60 miles of the city limits and be eligible to work in the US.
• Why: ND / NH  is a reimagining of New Dances with the purpose to continue to shine a light on creativity and artists in a new form through microgrants. 

Photo credits:

New Dances 2025 Choreographer: Xenia Mansour

New Dances 2025 Dancers: Samantha Leigh Anderson, Nick Kearns, Nia Montgomery, Faith von Atzigen

Photo by Vin Reed

TDC Table Attendees: Katlin Michael Bourgeois, Brandon DiCriscio, Hanna DiLorenzo,

Mark Gonzalez, Jeff Hancock, Ella Kim, MurdaMommy, Jessi Stegall, and Jackie Stewart.

As 2025 comes to a close, it is wonderful to reflect on some special moments connecting with artists in the commUNITY. One that notably stands out is our time at the See Chicago Dance Gala this fall.

TDC enjoyed a wonderful evening at the See Chicago Dance 20th Anniversary BOLD IMPACT Gala! The night was full of dance, celebration, and it was extra special  to honor Julie Nakagawa’s and Kevin Iega Jeff’s valued contributions to our field. 

Thank you to the fantastic group of past New Dances participants and supporters who joined us for the evening hosted at the TDC table. Whether you were a previous ND artist, Mentorship Panelist, or Host Committee Member, it was a wonderful night to reconnect, to celebrate our commUNITY, and to unveil  the exciting news about New Dances / New Horizons!

On Saturday, November 15, Thodos Dance Chicago Alumni, Brock Clawson, was inducted into the Lafayette Jefferson High School Hall of Fame for “Excellence in Achievement in the Performing Arts”. He traveled to Indiana a few days early and spent some time mentoring, working with and meeting with students, sharing insights, and exploring the many possibilities that exist for a career in the performing arts. Congratulations on this special honor, Brock!



As we close out 2025 and ring in the new year, we are grateful for your thoughtful consideration to support our Match Campaign for New Dances / New Horizons.

Each donated dollar up to $1,500 will be matched courtesy of a generous donation from Compliance Program Management LLC, David R. Hall and Michael C. Nugent. Double your impact today and consider investing in our shared creative future.

New Dances / New Horizons (ND / NH), is a new initiative providing support for early-career, Chicago-based choreographers through project-based microgrants. ND / NH will continue TDC’s goal to enrich and serve our vibrant commUNITY by shining a light on artists’ creativity and supporting opportunities for their continued growth. New Dances (ND) has been part of Chicago’s dance history for over 40 years, originating with The Chicago Repertory Dance Ensemble in 1983!

Checks may be made out to Thodos Dance Chicago and mailed to 1016 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610. Electronic payment may be made via our website through the "Donate Now" button below.

Thank you for being part of Thodos Dance Chicago’s family of supporters.  #SupportTheHeARTS