To provide opportunities to share works-in-process in informal settings. To gather artists and audiences from Chicago’s various dance communities for dialogue, support, and encouragement. To support both process and product.

October 23, 2023 at bim bom studios (5226 W Belmont Ave)

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: Ryan Eykholt, Lawrence Powell, and Shiwali Tenner

FACILITATOR: Thomas F. DeFrantz

September 25, 2023 at the MCA Chicago (220 E Chicago Ave)

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: JaNiah Cooper, Crow, and Wyatt

FACILITATOR: Joshua L. Ishmon of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater

August 21, 2023 at Harold Washington Cultural Center / The M.A.D.D. House (4701 S Martin Luther King Dr, Use 47th Street Entrance)

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: Tavares “K-Dot” Marshall, Carole McCurdy, and Malika “Myka” Okot

FACILITATOR: Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

July 24, 2023 at Ruth Page Center for the Arts (1016 N Dearborn St)

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: Eryn Jones, Sada Torres, and Sara Wagenmaker

FACILITATOR La Mar Brown

June 26, 2023 at Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Central West Center (2102 W Ogden Ave)

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: Brittany Bradley, Benji Hart, and Dion “iCrisis” Randle

FACILITATOR: Eryn Jones

May 22, 2023 at Red Clay Dance Company (808 E 63rd St)

PARTICIPATING ARISTS: Joanne Barrett, Noa Greenfeld with Sydney Tschosik, and The MetDown

FACILITATOR: Meredith Sutton of The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago

In 2023, Chicago Dancemakers Forum was selected by DanceWorks Chicago to carry on the 15-year legacy of DanceChance, a one-hour event designed to offer opportunities for local dancemakers to share their work in a low-stakes environment and to engage in dialogue about the creative process with peers and dance enthusiasts. Inspired by the concept of open-mic night, DanceChance is held once a month and features 3 dancemakers chosen by chance, each of whom has up to a 10-minute time slot to share their work (can be choreographed, improvised, or communal in nature). To round out the hour, the last segment is a moderated conversation with the participating dancemakers to discuss their work/process. At the end of each DanceChance, the next trio of participants is chosen by random draw from names submitted by dancemakers in attendance who choose to put their name in the hat. For example, to have an opportunity to participate in the July DanceChance, dancemakers would need to be in attendance at the June DanceChance. Participating dancemakers will each receive $100 and video documentation of their sharing. Chicago Dancemakers Forum credits and thanks DanceWorks Chicago for the design and description of this program, as well as Ruth Page Center for the Arts and Lou Conte Dance Studio who served as in-kind venue partners throughout the years.