Illuminate. That’s the title of the program that Nomi Dance and Chicago Repertory Ballet will present at Chicago’s Athenaeum Theatre (Saturday, October 28th at 8pm), and it’s a title that gives you a good idea of what to look forward to. These are two very accomplished dance companies — both of them bright, both of them bold, and each of them likely to shed more than a little light on the artistry of the other. Illuminate will feature works by by Nomi veteran dancers Katie Carey, Amanda Hickey, Stephanie Cihlar, and will include two works by CRB’s Wade Schaaf (including a first time ever combined performance by both companies).
Nomi Dance begins their eleventh season with Illuminate and they describe their unique approach to concert dance — an eclectic, creative collision of genres — as “a high regard for dynamic risk-taking”. That very appealing description can in many ways apply to Chicago Repertory Ballet as well, although with a very different set of sensibilities. In their five seasons, CRB has constantly found ways to discover new dynamics in the intersection of classical and contemporary, of abstract and story-driven, of large-scale and intimate.
DancerMusic wanted to hear more about what we’ll see in Illuminate, so we asked Wade Schaaf to tell us a little more about it. In characteristically thoughtful fashion, he shared some real insights with us, and here they are —
Johnny Nevin: Can you tell everyone about how the idea for this show came about? What were some of your thoughts about, and some of the process for joining with Nomi Dance Company for Illuminate?
CRB seemed like a fun compliment to NoMi as stylistically we are quite different, yet I think the two companies have many shared sensibilities.
Wade Schaaf: In some ways, this performance came about as an answer to the economic realities of producing dance in Chicago in this day and age. Not to be overly simplistic, but producing dance is just plain hard to do at times. So, when I wanted to add an Autumn performance series to CRB’s season, one of the only viable options to achieve this goal seemed to be collaboration. When two companies come together, shouldering the costs of a production becomes much more manageable, visibility is twice as great in terms of marketing and audience and the stress of producing an entire evening’s work is reduced as both companies are bringing work to the table.
When I really started to consider the idea, it seemed like a win for everyone involved, and that’s when I approached Laura.
I loved the idea of working together with NoMi Dance Company from the start. I highly respect Laura and the dancers at NoMi and the work that they do. As well, CRB seemed like a fun compliment to NoMi as stylistically we are quite different, yet I think the two companies have many shared sensibilities.
Johnny: You have a lot of experience in the Chicago dance community, as a choreographer, a performer, an educator, and for the past six years as the Artistic Director of Chicago Repertory Ballet. How would you describe Nomi Dance — their performances, their approach to dance, and their accomplishments?
Wade: I think one of the things that impresses me most about NoMi is just how exploratory the company is. NoMi has had an interesting evolution as a company which began with three directors, exploring different styles of dance from contemporary dance to ballroom.
Fast forward eleven years and NoMi has evolved to a company of women with a wonderful contemporary esthetic on dance. It’s been a lot of fun to be in the studio with this company, as they really have a kinship with one another in the studio. There is truly a feeling of collaboration and teamwork in rehearsals which makes the creation process fun.
Johnny: Chicago Repertory Ballet and Nomi Dance will be performing together in a new work that you’re choreographing. Can you tell us about the piece itself?
When Laura and I first started talking about producing this show, she mentioned that using the theme ‘Illuminate’ was very important to her. Immediately, I started to see images sparked by this idea
Wade: Sure! I’m pretty excited (and nervous) about this collaborative piece. I’ve been challenging myself as a choreographer as of late and I wanted to push the envelope while creating this piece as well.
When Laura and I first started talking about producing this show, she mentioned that using the theme ‘Illuminate’ was very important to her. Immediately, I started to see images sparked by this idea. I wanted to explore how we might illuminate the body or how we view the body. My concept then started to expand to taking the body into movement, and then finally into relationship.
So illumination was the jumping off point.
I think the audience should expect to see everything! I wanted to delight and surprise, and indeed, there is a lot to see in this work.
I think the audience should expect to see everything! I wanted to delight and surprise, and indeed, there is a lot to see in this work.
Johnny: What about the process of working with two different, very accomplished sets of dancers? In bringing this all together, what have some of the challenges and rewards been, especially for you as a choreographer?
I’m so glad you asked this question, as it has been one of the most interesting and indeed rewarding parts of this process for sure. I think one of my favorite things about what I do is having the ability to work with many individuals in the dance studio. For me, each person has their own set of strengths and weaknesses. One of my favorite things to do is both challenge dancers, while simultaneously trying to help them shine.
I had a great time once we got into the studio trying to find a way to showcase both companies as well as letting each set of dancers be true to their strengths. I think one of the most enjoyable challenges choreographically was blending a big mix of movement styles into one group.
As well, I also had the happy challenge of finding opportunities to showcase all of the beautiful dancers! There is so much talent and passion in the room, that I want to feature everyone as much as possible!
Johnny: You are also presenting another piece in Illuminate, can you tell us a little about that work?
The duet is a favorite of mine, choreographed to a gorgeous arrangement of ‘Bibo No Aozora’ by Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Aside from the collaboration I will present a pas de deux that I choreographed in 2016. The pas de deux is untitled as it was a part of a longer work that I created for our 2016 gala performance.
The duet is a favorite of mine, choreographed to a gorgeous arrangement of ‘Bibo No Aozora’ by Ryuichi Sakamoto. Frankly, one of my biggest objectives in making the duet was simply to create something that I found beautiful and something related to the complexities of modern day relationships.
Nomi Dance Company and Chicago Repertory Ballet will present Illuminate on Saturday, October 28th at The Athenaeum Theatre (2936 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago). Tickets are available online or from the Athenaeum’s box office (773-935-6875).
