With the transformation of the fall season upon us and all of it’s beauty in ever changing colors,  we embrace the tides of  shift, creating a fresh new wave of change in one of our projects.  We’re putting the new in New Dances, and are excited to evolve the project for our future, as we continue in our mission to champion the  creative spark and spirit of  talented early career artists in our community. 

As we create for the future, scanning a horizon full of possibilities, we nod to the homage of the past by celebrating the value of history and legacy in our community with The Chicago Dance History Project. Through CDHP, the history of individuals, organizations, entities and voices in Chicago dance have a historic home and a living voice. 

Cheers to the exciting future and rich past of dance in our community, 

Thodos Dance Chicago is thrilled to announce New Dances / New Horizons, a brand new initiative providing support for early career Chicago-based choreographers through project-based microgrants. 

TDC is committed to supporting the commUNITY of Chicago’s talented early career dancemakers through ND / NH. Stay tuned for more information as we unveil the re-imagining of New Dances in this new form and continue to shine a light on creativity and artists in our valued community. 

Planning to attend the See Chicago Dance Gala on Tuesday, September 30? Stop by our table to learn more about this new initiative and check out our ad in the program. Hope to see you there!

Photo credits:

New Dances 2025 Choreographer: Janiya Pearson

New Dances 2025 Dancers: Trey Alexander, Samantha Leigh Anderson, Lauryn Crowell, Ella Kim, Alexandria Kinard, Mia Philippon, Faith von Atzigen

Photo by Vin Reed

L to R: Chicago Dance History Project Executive Director, Michael McStraw, with Melissa Thodos

What a wonderful summer rooftop fête graciously hosted by Patti Eylar and Charles Garnder in support of The Chicago Dance History Project! It was an evening full of celebration, legacy, catching up with valued members of our dance commUNITY, and hearing from 5 of Chicago’s dance leaders who spearhead the very organizations that helped forge their careers.

L to R: Dance Writer and Author, Vicki Crain, The Newberry Library's Lloyd Lewis Curator of Modern Manuscripts and Archives, Alison Hinderliter, and Melissa Thodos