Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater will launch the Our Chance to Dance Youth Festival, taking place Oct. 17-23. Collaborating dance programs and companies include the Joel Hall Dance Youth Company, Natya Dance Theater Youth Ensemble, Ballet Chicago and the Red Clay Dance Company.
Ensemble Español, which is celebrating its 40th year in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, will provide master classes to the respective youth dance companies, as well as a range of community workshops at Northeastern Illinois University. The closing concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Northeastern.
This event allows young artists to meet, train and perform together, and is a project Ensemble Español has long wished to fulfill.
“I’ve wanted to give our youth company some of the experiences that we in the professional company have, especially as they relate to our festival,” Youth Company Associate Artistic Director Julia Hinojosa said. “These young dancers will be able to work with their peers, study a variety of dance forms, and then perform together in a main-stage concert. I’m so pleased that the Ensemble can sponsor this type of event for young artists.”
To support this effort, the Ensemble has created a new funding opportunity for its supporters with the Our Chance to Dance Youth Festival fundraising campaign.
