Joffrey expands into south loop The Joffrey Ballet has purchased new studio space and training facilities at 1920 S. Wabash Ave., expanding its reach to the South Loop and beyond, a major step in its five-year “Joffrey for All” strategic plan. “A foundational principle of the Joffrey mission that dates back to Robert Joffrey himself is that dance is for everyone,” Joffrey Board Chair Anne Kaplan said May 11. “By widening our presence beyond our State Street studios at Joffrey Tower, the Joffrey is making a significant investment in our students, teachers, and community, which is also an investment in the cultural vitality of Chicago and its future arts leaders.”
dance,” according to the Joffrey website. The programs are free and allow participants to use the dance facilities, attire and costumes as they gain a deeper understanding of dance and grow confidence through performance. The Tower offers many different programs for students of all ages and at varying intensities. These programs are designed as a springboard for students to find passion in art. For example, at the end of the Summer Intensive course, a teacher from the Joffrey Academy evaluates the students and offers 10 a full scholarship to study at the Academy. Currently, the Academy has 44 students on full scholarships from the community engagement programs. “I'm really proud of that, because not only does it bring in students that will get the structure of ballet, it also brings more diversity into the Joffrey Tower.” Ultimately, Swayze’s goal with community engagement is to learn how the Joffrey can better serve the community. “The whole idea is, of course, to give the students and schools more exposure to dance, and to also hopefully have schools know about our programs and how we can serve them, because I recognize that we are an arts organization. But that's not the only thing. We want to be able to come in and serve the school. What is the school's need? We don't want to be the type of organization that says, ‘Okay, we know how to do arts, and you are going to learn these specific things.’ No, we want to come in and say, ‘These are things that we can offer, but how can we serve you? How can we serve your community?’ And we want to be able to grow as the community grows.” Joffrey Tower Programs After School Matters (left), a seven-week summer partnership for high school students and Joffrey Bridge Program (center & right), a four-phase introduction to ballet and continued training for grades kindergarden through second (Joffrey photos).
Joffrey Tower (10 E. Randolph St.) will remain the headquarters for the more than 60-year-old company, whose repertoire encompasses the classics and modern, original works. Its performance home will be the Lyric Opera House. The new 5,314-square-foot space, (formerly the Chicago Dance Academy studios), is fully equipped with sprung floors, harlequin surfaces, and professional-grade sound equipment. The space also conforms with all American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. There’s nearby access to public parking, Chicago Transit Authority Green and Red Lines stops (within a two-block radius) and several CTA Bus routes. “The additional studio space will allow the Joffrey to hold more classes, support new programs, and continue the positive momentum of the Joffrey Academy,” said Raymond Rodriguez, director of the Joffrey Academy of Dance. “More students equal more possibilities for company artists, administrators, and teaching artists in the future, as we build upon our work of creating a holistic lifecycle of a dancer.” “Joffrey for All” envisions three tiers to a holistic Joffrey education: a prospective student’s first exposure to dance via Joffrey Community Engagement; scholarships and further training at the Joffrey Academy of Dance; and a professional contract with The Joffrey Ballet or other major professional company. Educational programming at the Joffrey Academy and Joffrey Community Engagement were rebranded under the mission “Joffrey for All” in March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Artistic Director Ashley Wheater MBE and Greg Cameron, president and CEO, led the Joffrey in developing a five-year plan. The new location closer to Bronzeville, Chinatown and the future Obama Presidential Center fits the Joffrey for All mission, said Linda Swayze, Joffrey director of community engagement. “Joffrey Community Engagement will be able to offer in-school programming as well as programming at Joffrey Tower for students K-12, along with our custom residencies to fit the needs of neighboring schools, as well as our Middle School Dance Program that targets grades 5–8. Student enrichment is a guiding principle in the work of Joffrey Community Engagement.” She can be reached at lswayze@joffrey.org or 312.386.8951. No public or private COVID relief funds were used in the purchase of 1920 S. Wabash Ave., which was instead made possible through restricted grants from donors. –Suzanne Hanney, from prepared materials
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