Thodos Dance Chicago is recognized nationally for its enticing choreography opportunities. Throughout the years, the company has premiered numerous works for respected choreographers throughout the country.

Our Chicago performances, whether self-produced of part of community projects, have proven to be excellent platforms for evolving and established choreographers to imagine, create and present their works!

• Ron De Jesus - World premiere at Fall Engagement 2008

• Zachary Whittenburg - world premiere in New Dances 2008

• Brock Clawson - world premiere in Winter Concert 2008

              Mr. Clawson, former dancer/choreographer and artistic associate with Thodos Dance Chicago. He has set two works on the

              company while on staff,  Falling Out  and Along the Way.  His work entitled Nine recevied its world premiere in March 2008.

• Lucas Crandall - world premiere in New Dances 2007                                                                                                                                            Mr. Crandall, Artistic Associate of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago was guest choreographer for New Dances 2007 with his work then titled "What I want..."  Mr. Crandall's work, set to the music of J.S Bach and retitled Lullaby made its Thodos Dance Chicago company premiere in Fall Engagement 2007.

• Ann Reinking – world premieres in Winter Concert 2004 and Winter Concert 2007
  Choreographer, director and actress Ann Reinking was guest choreographer for Winter Concert 2004 with her work CAUTION: Side Effects. She has numerous accolades, including the Theatre World Award for her work as Maggie in “Over Here” and the Clarence Derwent Award. In 1997, Ms. Reinking won the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award and the Astaire Award for her choreography for the ENCORES production of “Chicago,” now in its seventh year on Broadway. In 1999, “FOSSE,” which Reinking directed and co-choreographed in 1999, won a Tony Award for best musical.

• Shapiro & Smith – Chicago premiere in Fall Engagement 2006                                                                                                                            Danial Shapiro  and Joanie Smith developed a collaborative method through which they created their work, taking turns developing materials and  directing the choreographic process. They earned an international reputation for virtuosity, substance, craft, and pure abandonment performing tales of beauty and biting wit that run the gamut from provocative to hilarious.

• Lar Lubovitch – premiered in Winter Concert Series 2006                                                                                                                           Esteemed, internationally acclaimed American choreographer Lar Lubovitch set his work "Waiting for Sunrise" on Thodos Dance Chicago in 2006.  Lar has set several works on Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and the Joffrey Ballet, and was featured in Robert Altman’s movie “The Company,” starring Neve Campbell.

• Eddy Ocampo – premiered in Dance Chicago 2005                                                                                                                                   Choreographer Eddy Ocampo (featured in December 2005 Chicago Magazine) set an original work on Thodos Dance Chicago - collaborating with Chicago composer Winston Damon.  Eddy received the “Cliff Dwellers Foundation Choreography” Award for the development of this work for Thodos Dance Chicago.  Eddy was also recently inducted into the Filipino Hall of Fame for his contribution to dance in Chicago.

• Amy Ernst – premiered in Winter Concert Series 2005
  Leading choreographer, Amy Ernst, from the Southwest and Associate Professor at the University of Arizona, set her work “Raft” on the Company for Winter Concert 2005. Raft is a unique, lovely duet with unexpected special effects. Ernst's choreography is currently in the repertory of professional dance companies in California, New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.

• Debra McWaters – world premiere in Winter Concert Series 2004
  Debra McWaters, who teamed with Ann Reinking on CAUTION: Side Effects, left academia in 1996 to work as Ann Reinking’s assistant on the Tony Award winning CHICAGO, still running on Broadway. Credits include: Assistant Choreographer: CHICAGO, Encores! International tours; APPLAUSE: Papermill Playhouse; FOSSE (Tony Award 1999) International Tours; Associate Choreographer: THE LOOK OF LOVE, Roundabout Theatre Company; THE VISIT, Goodman Theatre; LEGENDS, Joffrey Ballet Company; SUITE KANDER, Missouri State Ballet; TONIGHT AT 8:30, Williamstown Theatre Festival. Associate Director/Choreographer: BROADWAY UNDER THE STARS. Tour Director/Choreographer: FOSSE, current national and international tours. Artistic Director of the Broadway Theatre Project.

• Michael Anderson – world premiere in New Dances 2004
  Michael Anderson joined New Dances 2004 as guest choreographer from the Joffrey Ballet. His piece, “Timelines” featured music by Phillip Glass. His most recent ballet, “Heart Strings,” premiered in November 2001, as part of the new choreographers showcase with Dance Chicago. Anderson has had roles in Robert Joffrey’s ”The Nutcracker,” in Agnes DeMille’s “Rodeo,” and in Leonide Massine’s “Parade.” Tony award-winning choreographer Ann Reinking created a role on Anderson in her tribute to Barbara Streisand, featured in Gerald Arpino’s groundbreaking “Legends.” Other roles have been created on Anderson while at The Joffrey.

• Jon Lehrer – world premiere in Dance Chicago 2004
  Jon Lehrer is the Associate Director of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and has been a company member since 1997. Jon’s new work, “Iambus,” set on Thodos Dance Chicago, premiered at “Dance Chicago 2004” as part of its “New Dances Project.” Jon has danced with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, John Passafiume Dancers, and for Merv Griffin in Atlantic City. He has also choreographed four works on the Giordano company and Momenta Dance Theater. Jon was selected for the first Choreography Project in 2002 in affiliation with the Joffrey Ballet. Choreography Project.