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Inaside Chicago Dance

History

Inaside Chicago Dance advances innovative artistry through choreography, performance and educational programs to heighten the state of the arts in the Midwest. The name INASIDE embodies the three key values of INtegrity, pASsion and prIDE and strives to uphold these ideals on and off the stage.

Kelly Ann Vitacca, Alyssa Ditch, and Amanda Farrar founded Inaside Chicago Dance in the fall of 2003 with the desire to create a more nurturing environment for artists than the opportunities available at the time. Inaside began its first year under the artistic direction of Kelly Ann Vitacca and Ballet Mistress, Ms. Anna Czajun. Within a few months, Inaside performed in SoleStance at Links Hall and in the Dance Chicago festival. Along with performing, Inaside presented its first lecture-demonstration workshop at the Latin School of Chicago. In the Spring, Inaside teamed up with Hip-Hop Connxion and co-produced Synergy, performed at the Vittum Theatre to sold-out houses.

In 2004, Inaside gained its not-for-profit status and made a new home at the Joel Hall Dance Center. In its third year of existence, Inaside recognized that growth required additional staff support and added Anne Gollenberg as Associate Director and Mary Williams as Marketing Director. The company performed over ten times in Dance Chicago and Ms. Vitacca received awards from Dance Chicago and the Illinois Arts Council for her groundbreaking choreography. Additionally, the company performed at the 31st International Choreographer’s Showcase in Madrid, Spain, as well as toured to Houston and Austin, Texas. In 2007, Inaside Chicago Dance began For the Cause, a joyous performance that allowed Inaside to give back to the community. For four years, For the Cause has raised awareness and proceeds for Gilda’s Club Chicago, a free cancer support organization. For the Cause also gave the Inaside Youth Trainee Program, a group of advanced youth dancers, the opportunity to perform on a professional stage. Inaside entered its fifth year with the critically acclaimed production, In the Painting, a multi-media experience inspired by artist, Jackson Pollock. In the summer of 2008, Inaside’s founding Artistic Director, Kelly Ann Vitacca, resigned her position with Inaside to accept a position with the Houston Ballet. This challenging transition proved Inaside’s strength and resilience as the company continued and welcomed the energy and expertise of Richard Smith as their new Artistic Director. Inaside was also pleased to announce Eddy Ocampo as their resident choreographer. This Chicago artist has brought diverse and dynamic additions to Inaside’s repertoire.

In its eighth year on the Chicago dance scene, Inaside traveled extensively in the Midwest, employed both male and female dancers of different ethnic backgrounds, and has become a recognized name in the industry. The Inaside Chicago Dance Project, "Revealed", received critical attention and For the Cause recognized and supported a new organization, The Center on Halsted. The Inaside Summer Intensive expanded to 4 days in 2010 and brought in over 60 participants. Inaside’s Board of Directors acquired three new members, and the staff was able to attend workshops in order to stay abreast of the latest information. In the Spring of 2010, Inaside produced its concert in Chicago’s Athenaeum Theatre. In July of 2010, four members of Inaside were asked to perform in the famous Chicago Theater and Inaside continued to give back to the community through school workshops and performances, and participating in events and shows benefitting various charities. In September of 2010, Inaside traveled to Northeastern Michigan bringing concert dance to schools and the public who have never experienced it before. Inaside traveled to new locations to give workshops to young dancers, including Western Michigan University.

Inaside’s ninth year has been an eventful and ground-breaking year. The company moved to the Dance Center of Evanston in order to accommodate its growth and truly have its own rehearsal space. Inaside had the opportunity to work with Harrison McEldowney and Tony Savino as they co-created a new work on the company. Mr. McEldowney brought his explosive jazz stylings while Mr. Savino contributed his distinctive swing choreography; with the combination of these two Chicago choreographers Inaside was proud to add “Mink, Jazz, and Swing: Dancing to the Music of Peggy Lee” to their repertory. In April 2011, Inaside presented its Dance Project, "Chicago", to a sold-out house at the Athenaeum Theater. Inaside’s Summer Intensive grew to six days and in order to accommodate the growing attendance, was held in two locations. The company welcomed five new members, both male and female and from various regions across the United States in addition to two new Board members. In September 2011, Inaside was the first company selected by MetLife Foundation’s New Stages for Dance Initiatives to perform at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, the largest venue to date. Inaside shared the evening with another excellent Chicago company, Cerqua Rivera, and Constant Motion was an amazing experience for the dancers and the audience alike. Critics said: “Inaside’s company dancers were athletic, entertaining, and sharp on their feet.” In addition to performances throughout the Chicagoland area, the company has also continued to give back to the community through Youth Summits and school outreach programs.

Staff

Artistic Director- Richard A. Smith

Associate Artistic Director- Anne Gollenberg

Marketing Director- Mary Williams

Development Director- Nell Heflin

Media Coordinator- Steven Gorski

Office Staff- Sarah Ford & Courtney Kozlowski

Lighting Designer- Joshua Paul Weckesser

Stage Manager- Lauren Girard

Rehearsal Director- Anne Gollenberg

Ballet Mistress- Anna Czajun

Teaching Staff- Annie Bassera, Craig V. Miller, Debra Nanni, Noel Powers, Richard A. Smith, Mary Williams

Pianist- David Drazin, Diana Felistovich, Tatiana Naumova

Board Members

President- Anna Ables

Vice President- Stephanie Clay

Treasurer- Lynne Reeder

Anne Gollenberg

Richard A. Smith

Jenna Witten

Mary Williams

Company

Company Members

Michael Darnell

Anne Gollenberg

Craig Miller

Noel Powers

Jennifer Wycykal

Performing Apprentices

Julianne Deitz

Sarah Ford

Steven Gorski

Anna Hartje

Nell Heflin

Shannon Hritz

Katy Kowalski

Courtney Kozlowski

Carlye Otten

Meghan Terwelp