Home > Dance Education > 
School Programs

Educational Programs

Performances/ Assemblies/ Residencies/ Master Classes

Thodos Dance Chicago is an 18 year-old teaching company in residence at the Menomonee Club for Boys and Girls in Chicago. Whether it is a pairing with schools, community centers, libraries, or Universities, Thodos Dance Chicago is adept at creating educational programming tailored to the specific needs of your organization and community. With education being the foundation upon which Thodos Dance Chicago was created, artists are selected from among the creme-de-la-creme in contemporary dance. Most ensemble members hold B.A. or M.F.A. degress in dance from highly reputable colleges and universities. Thodos Dance Chicago artists teach children in Chicago in partnership with the Menomonee Club for Boys and Girls, and adults through partnership with The Chicago Sport and Social Club.

Imagine Dance Assembly Peformance: Grades K-8

Imagine Dance is an exciting 40 minute interactive dance assembly that educates students about the concepts and tools employed in creating dance. Professional dancers from Thodos Dance Chicago perform three acclaimed dances from current repertoire and, along with a narrator, demonstrate the concepts, stages and tools needed to create a dance. The program contains three participatory exercises requiring student generated ideas and the execution of those ideas by students themselves onstage with the dancers. Students use their ideas throughout the assembly as dance concepts are learned and developed by way of students working together with professional dancers. Study Guide Available!

Dancing Green Assembly Performance: Grades K-8

Dancing Green is an exciting 40 minute interactive dance assembly that educates students about conservation and the environment using dance as a demonstration and teaching tool.

Dance Smash Educational Performance: Jr. and Sr. High School

A full company one hour repertory concert with lecture demonstration, best performed in a theater setting. Acclaimed dances in the repertory of Thodos Dance Chicago are performed by the entire company for the student body with full production elements inclusive of lighting and costumes. A question and answer session with the entire Company is conducted with the students following each performance.

Residencies

The Company is equipped to create a dance residency of any length, suited to the needs of any age group and curriculum. The two performance opportunities listed above can be intergrated into the residency structure, which could easily culminate with a student participatory performance with Thodos Dance Chicago. New Offering: Dancing Green residency featuring education about conserving the environment with structured dance improvisation.

Master Classes

Thodos Dance Chicago can teach a single class, all dance forms (styles) and at all levels. Classes can be taught in technique, choreography and composition, improvistation and repertory, and yoga and Pilates mat classes. For beginners to the advanced

Please note: Thodos Dance Chicago is part of the Illinois Artstour program of the Illinois Arts Council. Funding assistance may be available for Illinois presenters.

Testimonials

"Your desire to innovate dance in the high schools and your contagious energy is refreshing and wonderful for our teens." -- Riverside Brookfield High School

"We have hosted Melissa Thodos and her dance company several times. Each residency experience has provided our students, both novice and seasoned dancers, with a stimulating educational arts experience and genuine compassion for student learning in the arts." -- Barrington High School

You did an incredibly careful job of translating my desire to have a "real" show for elementary school students into something engaging and appropriate and magical.  Through the whole process you were available, considerate and positive.  Planning the event from my end was easy thanks to your help.--Alexander Graham Bell School, Chicago

"My kids were so impressed what they saw they came home, donned dancewear and attempted to emulate many of the moves they saw." -- Laurie Dolan, mother of 5 & 8 year old daughters.

For more information about our educational programs, please contact us through our website or call us at 312-266-6255.