Chicago Contemporary Dance Theatre

For residents of Illinois with a passion for dance, or for parents seeking a nurturing and professional environment for their aspiring young dancers, the Chicago Contemporary Dance Theatre stands as a beacon of excellence in our community. Far more than just a dance school, Chi-CDT, as it is affectionately known, is a place where phenomenal instruction meets first-class professionalism, fostering tremendous growth in students of all ages. This local gem offers a unique blend of foundational dance techniques and contemporary styles, making it a must-visit for anyone looking to engage with the art of dance. We invite you to explore this article to learn more about what makes Chicago Contemporary Dance Theatre a standout institution in the Illinois dance scene, from its convenient location to its diverse offerings and the profound impact it has on its students.

The Chicago Contemporary Dance Theatre is conveniently located at 1200 W 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60609, USA. This address places it within a well-established and accessible part of Chicago, making it a practical destination for families and individuals traveling from various neighborhoods across the city and surrounding Illinois communities. The 35th Street corridor is a notable thoroughfare, offering straightforward access whether you're driving or utilizing public transportation. Chicago’s extensive CTA bus network serves the area, and nearby 'L' train stations on lines like the Red Line (at 35th-Sox-35th St) or Orange Line (at Halsted) provide excellent connectivity for those relying on transit. For those who drive, street parking options are typically available in the vicinity, though it's always advisable to check local regulations. This accessible location underscores the Chicago Contemporary Dance Theatre’s commitment to making high-quality dance education convenient for all interested residents in the Illinois region.

Chicago Contemporary Dance Theatre offers a comprehensive range of services designed to cater to dancers of all ages and skill levels, from toddlers taking their very first steps to advanced students refining their technique. Their curriculum is diverse, focusing on both foundational elements and contemporary styles. Here's a detailed look at their offerings:

• Foundational Dance Classes:

  Ballet is a cornerstone, considered essential for all serious dance students. Classes focus on enhancing movement quality, posture, alignment, strength, flexibility, balance, and poise, while teaching vital dance vocabulary. They also offer Ballet/Tap Combo classes for younger students (ages 2-6).

• Contemporary and Modern Dance:

  As their name suggests, Contemporary dance is a key focus, drawing on classical ballet and modern dance. These classes utilize strong and controlled legwork from ballet while incorporating unpredictable changes in rhythm, speed, and direction. Modern/Contemporary technique classes are available for various levels.

• Jazz Dance:

  Classes emphasize sharp and fluid movements, body isolations, stretch, turns, leaps, and technical steps, often performed to popular music. They offer different levels, including Jazz I - Commercial (Ages 9-17) and Jazz II - Commercial (Ages 13-17), which incorporate stage movement and acting skills.

• Hip Hop:

  These energetic classes introduce students to basic hip-hop moves, street dance, and jazz-funk fundamentals. Classes start with warm-up exercises and teach new moves weekly, broken down step-by-step. They offer Beginner/Intermediate (Ages 6-16) and Advanced Hip Hop (Ages 12 & Up).

• Lyrical Dance:

  These classes focus on intricate movement and contemporary style, emphasizing interpreting music and mastering technical skills. Dancers develop their ability to pick up stylized choreography with grace and confidence. Beginner Lyrical is offered for ages 7-12.

• Specialty Classes:

  The academy also offers specialized training in areas such as Pre-Pointe and Pointe (requiring teacher permission due to injury risk), Tumbling (Intro to Acro for ages 4-6), Improv, Tap, and Leaps & Turns, providing a robust foundation for all levels.

• Summer Workshops and Intensives:

  They host Weekday Summer Workshops (Ages 7 & up) and Saturday Summer Intensives, offering extraordinary opportunities to train with their incredible instructors. These programs provide a high level of training and are designed to cultivate strong, well-trained artists.

• Company/Competition Team:

  For dedicated students, there's a performance-based Company/Competition Team, typically by audition or teacher approval. These classes focus on stretching, strengthening, and various techniques, with opportunities to compete regionally and nationally, as well as perform at outside functions and the annual recital.

• Recreational Classes:

  Saturday Recreational Classes (e.g., Ballet/Tap/Jazz for ages 2-6, Intro to Acro for ages 4-6) offer a fun and engaging way for younger children to explore dance and movement fundamentals.

The Chicago Contemporary Dance Theatre distinguishes itself through a range of features and highlights that make it a compelling choice for dance education in Illinois:

• Phenomenal Instruction and Professionalism:

  A consistent theme in customer reviews is the high caliber of instruction. Dancers receive "phenomenal instruction" delivered with "first class professionalism," indicating a commitment to excellence from the teaching staff. This ensures students receive top-tier training.

• Significant Student Growth:

  Parents frequently note the remarkable progress their children make in a short time. One reviewer highlights that her daughter "has grown tremendously in the short time she has attended the school," which speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the teaching methods and curriculum.

• Reasonably Priced and Conveniently Located:

  The academy offers professional training at a reasonable cost, making quality dance education more accessible to families. Its convenient location in Chicago further adds to its appeal, reducing logistical challenges for busy schedules.

• Inspiring Recital Performances:

  The quality of their performances, particularly recitals, is a major highlight. Audiences are "blown away by the recital performances," which demonstrates the high level of artistry and dedication cultivated within the school. These performances provide invaluable experience and a sense of accomplishment for students.

• Inclusive for Very Young Dancers:

  The academy successfully caters to very young children, as evidenced by a reviewer bringing her "3-year-old here for dance, she started at about 2.5," and noting that her child is "always excited to go." This shows their ability to engage and inspire even the youngest learners.

• Comprehensive Curriculum for All Ages and Levels:

  From "Mommy & Me" classes and beginner recreational options for toddlers to advanced intensives and company programs for older, more serious dancers, Chi-CDT offers a well-rounded curriculum. This allows students to progress within the same institution as they grow and develop their skills across various dance forms like ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, and more.

• Strong Foundational Training:

  While embracing contemporary styles, the theatre maintains a strong emphasis on foundational techniques like ballet, which is crucial for developing versatile and skilled dancers prepared for various dance forms.

For those in Illinois interested in connecting with the Chicago Contemporary Dance Theatre and learning more about their programs, here is their essential contact information:

• Address: 1200 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60609, USA

• Phone: (800) 420-2238

• Mobile Phone: +1 800-420-2238

These contact details provide direct and convenient avenues to reach out to the Chicago Contemporary Dance Theatre. Whether you have questions about class schedules, enrollment processes for specific dance programs, summer workshops, or general inquiries, their phone lines are available to assist you. Having both a primary and mobile phone number further ensures accessibility, making it simple for prospective students and their families to take the first step towards joining this vibrant and highly respected dance community in Chicago.

In conclusion, the Chicago Contemporary Dance Theatre is an exceptionally suitable and valuable resource for locals throughout the Illinois region who are passionate about dance. Its core strength lies in its ability to blend "phenomenal instruction" with "first-class professionalism," creating an environment where dancers of all ages, from toddlers to advanced students, can truly thrive. For parents in Illinois, this means access to a dance school that not only focuses on technical mastery across diverse styles like ballet, contemporary, hip hop, and jazz, but also fosters significant personal growth and confidence in their children, as consistently highlighted by positive testimonials. The convenience of its Chicago location, coupled with its reasonably priced programs, makes high-quality dance education accessible and practical for busy families. Beyond the classroom, the inspiring recital performances offer invaluable opportunities for students to showcase their talents and for the community to witness the fruits of dedicated training. Ultimately, Chicago Contemporary Dance Theatre is more than just a place to learn dance steps; it’s a nurturing hub where artistic dreams are cultivated, discipline is instilled, and a lifelong love for the art form is ignited. For any Illinois resident seeking a professional, supportive, and impactful dance experience, Chi-CDT is unequivocally a must-do.

Chicago Contemporary Dance Theatre

1200 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60609, USA