Take advantage of this unique opportunity and get behind-the-scenes as we look for exceptional young dancers to join the DanceWorks Chicago family!

Team DWC looks forward to welcoming you to an audition on stage of our home theater at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 North Dearborn.

WHAT WILL YOU SEE?
The audition will be conducted by DWC Artistic Director Julie Nakagawa. Ballet class with eliminations will be followed by repertoire. DWC representatives will be available to answer questions about what’s happening on stage. We hope you will come away with a deeper understanding and fresh curiosity about dance that will inspire your continued relationship with dance artists and their art. Click HERE to RSVP to join the audience!

Click HERE to learn from DanceWorks Chicago dancers about their “why”.

SCHEDULE

10:30am, audition begins with ballet and will continue with repertoire

2pm, audition concludes

This audition is open to the public as part of DanceWorks Chicago’s on-going effort to illuminate the work of art.  Audience members may come and go throughout the day.

We look forward to welcoming you to the theater.  Click here for the audition program.

DanceWorks Chicago is committed to building a foundation for early career artists by providing a laboratory from which dancers and choreographers propel themselves and the art form to a new level of artistry through training, collaboration, mentorship, and performance. Thank you for joining us in this journey.  #SupportTheHeARTS

From Co-founder and Artistic Director, Julie Nakagawa:

I started my relationship with Lou Conte and Lou Conte Dance Studio in 1994. In 2025, the balance tipped, and I have spent over half my life as an artist(ic) caretaker / creative problem solver / behavioral scientist / party planner / first responder / cheerleader / accountability partner / tour guide / Good Dance Citizen / bus driver.

I am grateful to have shared the gift of time with people invested in the work of art. PRICELESS.

Speaking of time, it is time to make a change.

I have decided to retire.

And DanceWorks Chicago will sunset, as discussed and unanimously agreed with the board of directors.

This past year, I have reconnected with so many from my dance family, in places near and far. Investment in the development of unique artistic voices at Lou Conte Dance Studio, Hubbard Street 2, and DanceWorks Chicago has contributed to a generation of inspiring humans. People have started their own blood families, studios, companies, staging careers, social justice endeavors, educational programs, artistic offerings. They are educators / mentors / supporters / leaders / entrepreneurs / board members in a variety of sectors and sharing their spirit across the world. And those are just the things that I know about. They are multi-hyphenate, messy, beautiful, flawed, resilient, powerful vessels of the human experience.

I know this is the time for me to offer an act of love and step away to do my part to hold space for the next generation of leaders in the dance commUNITY. I feel like a proud parent (even grandma).

So, I am putting on my turn signal, crossing into another lane, and working toward the off ramp.

DanceWorks Chicago will continue “business as usual” through the end of 2025. The first of DWC’s “lasts” was New Dances 2025, the final collaborative presentation with Thodos Dance Chicago, as announced at each performance.

LAST CALL for early career artists interested in the pursuit of excellence and committed to flexing their muscles of courage, creativity, and curiosity! LAST DANCE | LAST CHANCE!

SEASON 18  GrowUp

SEASON 18+  GlowUp

Thank you for reading.

Looking forward…

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.