Best Places To See Ballet In Chicago
By Magdalene Paniotte
No one can deny the amazing memories one walks away from after attending a ballet performance. There is something about this artistic display that often leaves viewers speechless. For those who enjoy going to the ballet and for aspiring dancers as well, the following list of performing arts venues and studios are among the best Chicago has to offer.
Harris Theater at Millennium Park
200 E Randolph Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 334-7777
www.harristheaterchicago.org
Click here for a calendar of events
The first multi-use performing arts venue of its kind since 1929, the fabulous Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance opened its doors to the public in November of 2003. Now in its glorious ninth season, the theater's important mission has been to collaborate with new and developing art companies, to help them establish artistic excellence and financial growth. The venue has tripled in size over the years, implementing incentive programs such as the Learning Lab Initiative and the Harris Theater Presents series. Conveniently located in Chicago's Millennium Park, the theater is currently set to host an opening gala and performance of "Giselle" on June 26. The dance will be presented by the Paris Opera Ballet Company, considered to be one of the finest in the world.
Related: Harris Theater Guide
Ruth Page Center for the Arts
1016 N Dearborn St
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 337-6543
www.ruthpage.org
Click here for a calendar of events
One of the great pioneers of choreographed performance, Ruth Page was an American ballerina who achieved worldwide recognition in the field. A visionary in her own right, she was a brilliant dancer constantly expanding and redefining the craft in collaboration with many prominent artists, including George Balanchine and Aaron Copeland. To honor her memory, the Ruth Page Foundation and Center for the Arts was established in 1970 with the mission of continuing in the creative artist's legacy of passionate commitment for ballet as an innovative and elegant art form. The Center is located in a historic facility built in 1927 on Chicago's Gold Coast, and houses a renowned dance school, ample rehearsal space and a 200-seat theatre where in-residence companies perform.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
1147 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 850-9744
www.hubbardstreetdance.com
Click here for a calendar of events
One of the finest contemporary ballet companies in Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance is a professional performing arts company critically acclaimed for innovative and cutting-edge dance techniques that embrace the many forms of ballet. Dancers are taught to include passion in their performances with hopes of engaging and inspiring audiences. The studio is widely recognized for the continual development of new and abstract dance concepts, in collaboration with some of the greatest choreographers of our time. Hubbard Street was formed in 1977 by the talented teacher Lou Conte, and is comprised of 17 gifted dancers who perform in repertory year round, nationally and internationally.
Ballet Chicago
17 N State St, 19th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 251-8838
www.balletchicago
Click here for a schedule of classes
Established in 1997 as a ballet training center in the classical tradition, Ballet Chicago is a fully-equipped studio offering extensive training of a high standard, developed to build poise and character in the expression of beauty in choreographed dance. Modeled in the stylistic technique of George Balantine, the school's vision is to inspire and educate students of all levels to reach their greatest potential. Aspiring dancers are regularly scheduled to perform in Chicago as they prepare for a professional career in the industry.
Ravinia Festival Association
418 Sheridan Road
Highland Park, IL 60035
(847) 266-5000
www.ravinia.org
Click here for a calendar of events
The oldest and most-celebrated outdoor festival in the United States, Ravinia has been a staple of the North Shore community since its inception in 1904. World renowned for staging the very best outdoor variety of summer shows, the venue is a highly-anticipated destination for all who wish to enjoy a music concert or dance recital at the acoustically-superb Ravinia Pavillion or Martin Theatre. Upcoming, on June 7-8 and August 21, are performances by the Ruth Page Festival of Dance and River North Dance respectively.
Related: Best Dance Companies in Chicago
