DanceWorks Chicago’s Dance360 programming is celebrating five years of commitment to young artists. A frequent symbol for the 5th anniversary is Wood, representing strength, wisdom, and endurance. The circular rings in a tree represent a journey. As Team DWC looks ahead, wood, a traditional material used for building, is a wonderful inspiration as DanceWorks Chicago continues to provide a platform for early career movers and makers.
Digital ChoreoLab is open to advanced/professional level dancers 15+ on the Zoom platform this winter. No need to put on a heavy coat and trudge through snow! Join us in your preferred creative space and immerse yourself in a professional environment geared to training, creating, sharing, and networking. Get to know our featured choreographer through class, rep rehearsal, and discussion. The second day culminates in an informal sharing open to family and friends.
DanceWorks Chicago is excited to welcome back choreographer Joshua Manculich to the Dance360 space!
Born in Windber, PA, Josh started dance at the age of fourteen. Brought up in a small-town, he is thankful for the numerous inspiring mentors and creative artists that guided his pursuits as a dancer, choreographer, and person. He had the pleasure of performing with Thodos Dance Chicago, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Pursuit Productions, Jaxon Movement Arts, Jessica Miller Tomlinson, and The Pillow Project. Josh’s choreographic work has been toured internationally by DanceWorks Chicago, Eisenhower Dance, and The Ohio State University. Josh was awarded a Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship and created Lyra for The Big Muddy Dance Company (St. Louis). Other choreographic adventures include: Collage Dance Collective, Dancing in the Parks, Eisenhower Dance, Grand Valley State University, Interlochen, Metdance, Piel Morena Contemporary Dance, Thodos Dance Chicago, and Western Michigan University. Josh has served on modern and jazz faculty for Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and as ballet faculty for Southern Association of Dance Masters. His teaching focus is centered around contemporary dance technique, rooted in somatic practices and informed by improvisation and love of music. Josh holds a B.A. in Dance with a Psychology Minor from Point Park University and a M.F.A. in Dance from The Ohio State University. Josh’s creative research begins in the contemporary dance classroom and spokes outward, investigating how emotional and psychological commonalities are rooted in physical experience. Josh is an Assistant Professor in Department of Dance at Sam Houston State University.
“You can’t help it. An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times.”
― Nina Simone
How can we reflect the times knowing that movement is essential? Can we share where we are in the moment and curate a moving, creative space to enjoy and be with the satisfaction of moving and expressing? This is where WE can start the new year. Even though we may not be able to come together in the same physical space, what joy lives innately in the relationship between music and movement? Even during this chaotic time, what has brought us deep unrelenting strength and joy? does movement play a role?
SCHEDULE (all times CENTRAL)
SATURDAY
10:40am, Zoom Room opens
10:45am, CHECK-IN and Informal NETWORKING
11am-noon, CLASS: movement-oriented ballet class with DanceWorks Chicago Co-founder and Artistic Director, Julie Nakagawa
12:15pm-2:30pm, CREATIVE PERIOD
SUNDAY
10:40am, Zoom Room opens
10:45am, CHECK-IN and Informal NETWORKING
11am-noon, CLASS: contemporary class with Joshua will begin by ground ourselves on the floor and then moving through different levels through a mix of improvisation, flow, and form. The class culminates with standing work and phrasework; all accompanied by a fun, eclectic playlist. Pet appearances are welcomed!
12:15pm-1:45pm, CREATIVE PERIOD
1:45pm-2pm, PAUSE
1:55pm, Zoom Room opens for guests!
2pm-2:30pm, Let’s SHARE! Informal sharing open to family, friends, and supporters followed by a Q & A with Joshua and DanceWorks Chicago Artistic Director Julie Nakagawa
5-6-7-8, join us for a ChoreoLab and start the New Year off with a weekend exercising your creative muscles!
NO audition required!
FEE: $100
Save your place today! Space is limited in order to provide individual attention.
REGISTRATION is easy and available via https://www.danceworkschicago.org/calendar/digital-choreolab-january-9-1...
Interested in a SCHOLARSHIP? Scholarship application form is available on the website.
THINKING AHEAD to Summer 2021 and interested in auditioning for Dance360 Summer 2021 programs? It’s EASY! Simply attend this ChoreoLab and let us know in advance!
QUESTIONS? Inquire with Dance360 Program Director Sara Bibik: sbibik@danceworkschicago.org
DanceWorks Chicago is committed to supporting individual artistic growth, providing a laboratory for early career artists to journey from “good to great” through training, collaboration, mentorship, and performance. DWC shines a spotlight on individual artists, celebrating unique voices and finding harmony in collaboration.
