Hubbard Street 2 is a central aspect of HSDC's comprehensive educational program and the companyÆs primary link to the community. In 1997, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) Founder Lou Conte launched Hubbard Street 2 to expand community efforts while developing young professional dancers. The dancers take daily classes at the Lou Conte Dance Studio and gain valuable performance experience by presenting programs in Chicago area schools, community centers, park districts and theaters. Dancers work with emerging choreographers on original dances created specifically for Hubbard Street 2.
These six dancers are 19-25 years of age. The presentation draws from a repertoire of 18 works featuring different types of dance û ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, and tap û and a variety of musical selections, choreographic styles and influences that provide discussion points for the moderator between pieces. Since most of the choreography has been especially commissioned by Hubbard Street 2, the moderator will often give a brief history of the piece and background of the choreographer.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (Jim Vincent, Artistic Director)
Internationally recognized as Chicago's premier dance company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago maintains a distinctive repertoire that includes works by such world-class choreographers as Nacho Duato, Ohad Naharin, Daniel Ezralow, Jirf Kylißn, Kevin O'Day, David Parsons, Margo Sappington and Twyla Tharp. HSDC is a living archive for significant choreographic works and an innovative force in dance, combining theatrical jazz, contemporary dance and classical ballet technique to create an unparalleled artistic style.
Founded in 1977 by veteran dancer/choreographer Lou Conte, the company began as an ensemble of four women. HSDC gave its first public performance in 1978 at a senior citizens home under the auspices of Urban Gateways, an arts education organization. Today, as an ensemble of 20 culturally diverse and internationally acclaimed dancers, the company performs annually for a worldwide audience of more than 130,000 people and through its educational and community programs reaches 25,000 students per year.
One of the most renowned dance companies in America, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is an emblem of Chicago's international cultural profile and an ambassador for the city everywhere the company tours.