Description
In 1974, Joel Hall and Joseph Ehrenberg founded Chicago City Theatre Company, which gave rise to Joel Hall Dancers & Center (JHDC), founded to showcase and celebrate the artistry of Black and Brown LGBTQIA+ dancers. JHDC quickly established a reputation for excellence in the performing arts community locally, nationally and internationally. Throughout the 1980s and 90s the Joel Hall Dancers (JHD) toured extensively, performing across the United States, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and former Soviet Union. Joel Hall and JHDC have received myriad honors and recognitions. In 2022, JHDC was named one of "Chicago's Cultural Treasures"
Work Sample
A unique composition that blends elements of Jacqueline Sinclair's "Namo" with "Following Omens." This presentation was made courtesy of 150 N. Riverside, as part of Chicago Returns Week. George Berlin created the video installation and Zac Hall designed the floral elements.
An open rehearsal of the work-in-progress, Sweet Freedom Suite, with original choreography by Joel Hall and original music by Howard Sandifer. Sweet Freedom Suite draws inspiration from and celebrates the lives of Harriet Tubman, Fannie Lou Hamer, Nelson Mandela, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The samples showcase the choreographic work of our leadership, Artistic Executive Director Jacqueline Sinclair, Artistic Director Emeritus and Co-founder Joel Hall, and Assistant Artistic Director William Gill.
History
Founded in 1974 to showcase and celebrate the artistry of Black and Brown LGBTQIA+ performers, Joel Hall Dancers & Center stands as the embodiment of Joel's life-long passion for creating, performing, and teaching dance artistry and technique. While holding the highest standards of excellence, Joel Hall Dancers & Center is a welcoming and accepting home for all artists. Defiantly and unapologetically diverse, accessible, and inclusive since 1974, Joel Hall Dancers & Center lives at the leading edge of the anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ Pride, and DEAI movements, actively pursuing opportunities to dismantle oppressive systems, amplify oppressed voices and cultivate a better world for all. The Joel Hall Dancers' creation and performance of professional dance and the world-class instruction of The Center enrich lives, enhance our collective culture, and improves the world around us.
Artistic Vision
JHDC builds upon its longstanding tenets of diversity and accessibility to provide movers of all backgrounds the same diligent commitment to artistry, curiosity, self-expression, and growth. JHDC rejects the idea that high-quality artistic programming should be a privilege; at JHDC, this level of programming is a right. Moreover, this programming is a tool for community building, fostering creativity, and having difficult but necessary conversations about how to productively dismantle issues like racism, sexism, transphobia, and homophobia.
Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise
Joel Hall Dancers have performed internationally. Additionally, Joel Hall Dancers & Center has provided related in-school and community-based programming that teaches Joel Hall's Breathing Floor Barre technique as a social-emotional tool for stress management and developing focus. JHDC additionally can provide masterclasses in dance technique - our unique Urban Jazz technique, as well as the other Ballet, Hip Hop, Modern, and other forms that comprise it. Lastly, Joel Hall and Jacqueline Sinclair have spoken internationally about dance history, the development of Urban Jazz technique, and other topics related to professional dance.
Name
Joel Hall Dancers
Type
Company/Ensemble
Address
2951 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
Artistic Director
Jacqueline Sinclair
[email protected]
(773) 888-0477
Contact Person
Joseph Pindelski
[email protected]
(773) 888-0477 x102
Web Site
Artistic Discipline(s)
Dance
- Contemporary/Modern
- Jazz
Family/Youth
Geographic Availability
Central Illinois
Chicago/Chicagoland
Northern Illinois
Southern Illinois
Western Illinois
Fee Ranges
Single perf., close to home: $1500; Mid-scale production (with travel and per diem) varies, can be up to $30,000
Additional Services
Demonstrations
Lectures
Master classes
Residencies
Teacher Development
Workshops
Core Audience(s)
Adult
Children
Seniors
Youth
Additional Populations
Behavioral Disabilities
Cognitive Disabilities
Developmental Disabilities
Emotional Disabilities
Hearing Impairments
Learning Disabilities
Physical Disabilities
Speech Impairments
Visual Impairments