Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) announced today that former company member Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell will take over as artistic director on March 1.
Fisher-Harrell trained at Baltimore School for the Arts and The Juilliard School. Performance credits include HSDC and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, dancing in works by Ron K. Brown, Alonzo King, Lar Lubovitch and Ulysses Dove, to name a few. Since 2005, she has remained focused on education, taking on teaching roles at Towson University and the Baltimore School for the Arts, and as director of Ailey Camp Baltimore.
Following the 11-year tenure of Glenn Edgerton, Fisher-Harrell will be the first woman and first BIPOC artistic director in the company’s history. She assumes this role during a tumultuous period for HSDC; the COVID-19 pandemic forced the company to end their 2020 season almost as soon as it began. Soon after they also announced the closure of the Lou Conte Dance Studio and the building where they once made their artistic home was demolished by the space’s new owner, to the heartbreak of Chicago dance students. Fisher-Harrell is both hopeful and determined.
“I feel that every phase of my progression as a dancer and educator has led me to this… I am excited to get started,” said Fisher-Harrell in a statement. “My vision for Hubbard Street includes creating a more accessible, exciting and diverse future for the company. Together we will continue to push contemporary dance and society forward by presenting challenging and diverse voices. Most importantly, we will work to inspire audiences, filling their hearts with joy in these challenging times.”