South Chicago Dance Theatre at Auditorium Theatre

On May 3, 2025, the South Chicago Dance Theatre (SCDT) took to the historic stage of the Auditorium Theatre, delivering a compelling and richly textured evening of contemporary dance. Featuring four distinctive works—Temporal Trance by Frank Chaves, Folk by Kate Weare, Under The Skin by Tsai Hsi Hung, and IN/WITHIN by company founder Kia S. Smith—the program showcased the company’s versatility, emotional range and technical precision. While each piece stood firmly in its own choreographic voice, together they wove a collective narrative that embraced the power of shared energy within a diverse multitude. 

The evening began with a tribute video to Chicago dance icon Frank Chaves, followed by a performance of his 1998 work Temporal Trance. Chaves was honored with the SCDT “Cultural Hero Award,” which recognizes individuals whose contributions to dance—through education, production, or leadership—have made a lasting impact on Chicago’s cultural landscape. A Cuban-born choreographer and former artistic director of River North Dance Chicago, Chaves has been a transformative force in contemporary jazz dance. 

Diagnosed with syringomyelia, a degenerative spinal cord disease, Chaves has continued to choreograph from a wheelchair, demonstrating resilience and an unwavering commitment to his craft. His work, including Temporal Trance, reflects a deep connection to music and movement, capturing the complexities of the human experience. The award not only honors his artistic achievements but also his lasting influence on the city’s performing arts scene. Chaves joined the dancers on stage for their bow, gracefully swerving his wheelchair in a joyful dance of his own, a radiant smile lighting his face as the audience rose in a standing ovation.

Kate Weare’s Folk delves into the intricate dynamics of human connection through richly physical and emotionally resonant movement set to a score drawing from traditional Jewish and Italian music. Weare draws on the body’s instinctive intelligence—its search for safety, truth, and belonging in community—to create a piece that blurs the lines between individual and collective identity. Grounded, tactile interactions unfold across the stage, offering an unfiltered reflection on what it means to relate and be seen.

The dancers brought Folk to life with depth and sensitivity, capturing both its emotional urgency and structural nuance. The choreography, at once intimate and assertive, echoed the communal rituals and subtle hierarchies found in traditional folk dance—an enduring expression of our need to communicate and connect. Through rhythmic patterns, weight-sharing and fluid exchanges, the dancers created a living dialogue that honored both past traditions and present truths. 

Tsai Hsi Hung’s Under The Skin captivated audiences with its dynamic fusion of athleticism and emotional depth. Choreographed during a two-week residency, the piece unfolds with rapid, grounded movements that challenge the dancers’ stamina and precision. Set to an experimental score by Taiwanese musician Yi Chun Hung, the work begins in darkness, gradually illuminating the performers as they navigate a landscape of tension and release. Intensity and urgency were evident, with the dancers executing sharp, fast-paced sequences that demanded both technical skill, Olympic-level stamina and expressive commitment. Under The Skin not only showcased Hung’s choreographic innovation but also highlighted the dancers’ resilience and adaptability, marking a significant contribution to the company’s evolving repertoire.

Kia S. Smith’s IN/WITHIN offers a surreal journey into the subconscious, navigating the complex terrain of memory, emotion, and identity through the lead performer, Chloe Chandler. The piece immerses the audience in a world where irrationally juxtaposed scenes evoke a wide spectrum of emotions—from joy and absurdity to melancholy and empathy. Smith says that the work “represents me and my voice more than any other work I’ve choreographed. I envision this is the start of a new era for South Chicago Dance Theatre, with an emphasis on ‘theatre’ and a more narrative-driven model.” Chandler anchors this chaotic landscape, dressed in striking red heels, hot shorts and cool sunglasses. As she ventures through her subconscious, Chandler encounters eclectic characters, such as Elijah Richardson’s bumblebee-like creature and Brodie Wolf’s aristocratic, barking figure—both contributing whimsy and absurdity to the narrative. These characters symbolize the emotional turbulence of the subconscious, highlighting IN/WITHIN’s exploration of authenticity versus artifice.

The work is filled with irrational interactions that serve as metaphors for emotional upheaval and the search for truth. With its topsy-turvy logic, IN/WITHIN evokes the disorienting feeling of Wonderland, much like Alice’s journey down the Rabbit Hole. As Alice encounters peculiar creatures and shifting environments that challenge her reality, Chandler’s character must navigate a realm where the normal rules of existence are suspended, and self-discovery becomes a fantastical, surreal journey. Chandler’s performance balances playful absurdity with moments of introspection, drawing the audience into her emotional and psychological landscape, offering insight into the chaotic nature of the subconscious.

The dancers of SCDT brought IN/WITHIN to life with remarkable skill, capturing the delicate balance of vulnerability and strength in Smith’s choreography. Through dynamic movements and animal-like outbursts, they conveyed the tension between chaos and clarity in navigating one’s subconscious. The performance unfolded in a dreamlike world, with clothes cascading from the ceiling on red hangers for the dancers to change on stage while random sounds and phrases like “pickles,” “look” and “clockwise” were shouted to the audience, enhancing the unpredictable atmosphere. A fan blows directly on the dancers, dressed as the lead character, while classical music and dancers in neck and wrist ruffs evoked the grandeur of a 17th-century French court. 

IN/WITHIN invited the audience to reflect on self-discovery through its inventive use of gestural movement and ever-shifting scenes. The piece culminated in a striking moment where dancers, dressed in black, marched into the space, performing a repetitive phrase. In a powerful release, they shed their clothing, creating a communal pile of fabric and bodies at center stage, symbolizing transformation and renewal. The work showcased Smith’s choreographic innovation and SCDT’s ability to communicate profound emotional and psychological truths through dance, making it a standout piece in the evening’s program.

South Chicago Dance Theatre’s performance at the Auditorium Theatre was not merely a showcase of talent—it was a declaration of artistic vision and communal strength. Each piece, from the heartfelt tribute to Frank Chaves to the surreal exploration of identity in IN/WITHIN, revealed a company unafraid to take risks and push the boundaries of contemporary dance. SCDT’s dancers move with a rare combination of rigor and vulnerability, embodying works that honor legacy while fearlessly pursuing innovation. As the final curtain fell, what lingered was not just the memory of striking images or physical feats, but a resonant sense of purpose—this is a company with something urgent to say, and the artistry to make us listen.

For more information on South Chicago Dance Theatre, check out southchicagodancetheatre.com