Thodos Dance Chicago Celebrates 10 Years of “New Dances”

The critically acclaimed contemporary dance company, Thodos Dance Chicago, founded and directed by Melissa Thodos, will celebrate 10 years of dance creation with its annual “New Dances” choreography performance series on July 16-18 in Chicago.

“New Dances embodies one of the many things we value so much at TDC – dance creation.  It is a critical component of our mission and we are an organization committed to nurturing and supporting talented dance artists from within our own ensemble, who are interested in expressing their own choreographic vision,” stated Thodos.

The performance will feature the choreography of eight TDC ensemble members.

“The New Dances project is unique in contemporary dance in America and has enabled young Chicago-based choreographers to develop their skills, create new work, and have it performed in a professional concert environment. Over the past nine years this program has provided the framework and support for more than 80 Chicago-based choreographers and over 200 Chicago-based dance artists to develop and showcase their skills and build their reputations,” Thodos explained.

Consequently, many of the “New Dances” have entered the repertory of Thodos Dance Chicago, while others were embraced and received subsequent productions by noted directors Gerald Arpino of the Joffrey Ballet and Jim Vincent of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

Following a successful career as a performer and choreographer with the Chicago Repertory Dance Ensemble, Thodos founded TDC in 1992 as “Melissa Thodos and Dancers”.  The group changed their name to Thodos Dance Chicago in 2005, reflecting a move toward a broader American repertory.  TDC’s mission of inspiring expression through dance education, dance creation, and dance performance is the essence of the unique, compelling environment created for its ensemble members.

Thodos has been choreographing dance for nearly 30 years. Her works have been presented across America, as well as in Paris, Scotland, Australia, South Korea and Turkey. She’s received numerous awards, and also, her work has received nominations for the Ruth Page Award and the Chicago Dance Achievement Award. She has been honored by the State of Illinois as a Greek American for nurturing and training dancers and choreographers in Chicago. Thodos’ work Reaching There won her international acclaim at the 3^rd Concours Internationale de Dance de Paris. Another work, Anasa, which drew inspiration from the women of Greek mythology and history, was awarded Second Prize in 11th Annual Dance under the Stars Choreography Festival in Palm Desert California.

Of Thodos, Tony award-winning Broadway legend Ann Reinking once said, “she has this way of moving, of approaching dance that is informed by history, based on her personal experience, and totally unique.  Wherever she puts her energy, she does so with grace and talent.”

Thodos is a proud first-generation Greek-American. Her father was born in a small town south of Olympus and her mother grew up not far from the Albanian border.