Dance Center
1306 S. Michigan Ave.
The Dance Center provides students with a superior contemporary dance education in the context of a world-class, nationally recognized dance performance season. Since its doors first opened in 1969, the Dance Center at Columbia College Chicago has presented hundreds of professional companies and choreographers.
Home to one of the nation's finest college dance programs and one of Chicago’s premier presenters of contemporary dance, the Dance Center serves the greater Chicago dance community and audiences. The center is hailed as one of the most important presenters of contemporary dance in the United States, bringing world renowned companies to Chicago every year. Columbia students have the chance to work closely with the visiting companies through master classes and discussions.
“Some of the most memorable performances I’ve seen in my near twenty years of covering dance in Chicago have taken place on the Dance Center stage. Experimental work, student and faculty showcases, nationally and internationally revered artists have all rarified the Dance Center’s air for half a century.” - Sharon Hoyer, New City
The Dance Center is a 33,000-square-foot, four-story art deco facility that includes a 268-seat performance space, six dance studios with sprung wood floors, dressing rooms, and locker rooms with showers. The state-of-the-art building with its highly-trained staff provides students access to the technical aspects of dance performance from learning how to work with a lighting designer to understanding video projection and producing events. Through its community outreach and education initiatives, the Dance Center seeks to deepen appreciation and understanding of contemporary dance and contribute to the health of Chicago communities.
Upcoming Events:
- Piel Canela: Blessed HandsPiel Canela: Blessed Hands is an evocative and dynamic Afro-Caribbean dance-theatre performance that weaves together the powerful story of a community's triumph over oppression and spiritual awakening. Set during the Caribbean’s colonial era, the show follows Francisco, a young warrior whose tragic death ignites a revolution within his tribe. His spirit, carried through fire and...Get the details
- Piel Canela: Blessed Hands Piel Canela: Blessed Hands is an evocative and dynamic Afro-Caribbean dance-theatre performance that weaves together the powerful story of a community's triumph over oppression and spiritual awakening. Set during the Caribbean’s colonial era, the show follows Francisco, a young warrior whose tragic death ignites a revolution within his tribe. His spirit, carried through fire and...Get the details
- DELVE: Dance ConcertThe Dance Center’s renowned professional dance faculty and alumni choreograph new works performed by students....Get the details
- DELVE: DanceConcert The Dance Center’s renowned professional dance faculty and alumni choreograph new works performed by students....Get the details
- WITH INCANDASCENCE: Dance BFA Capstone ConcertSeason 51 culminates with the graduating class of Dance BFA senior students Kayla Hansen, Konnie Kakridas, Aly Owens, and Rhianna Young’s original works drawing upon their years of study and practice....Get the details
- WITH INCANDASCENCE: Dance BFA Capstone Concert Season 51 culminates with the graduating class of Dance BFA senior students Kayla Hansen, Konnie Kakridas, Aly Owens, and Rhianna Young’s original works drawing upon their years of study and practice....Get the details
