Venetia Stifler & Concert Dance, Inc

Description

Artistic Director
Venetia Stifler is an Emmy-nominated choreographer and director, and was Executive and Artistic Director of The Ruth Page Center for the Arts from 2000 to 2020, guiding the vision of the organization left to Chicago by the dance icon and pioneer Ruth Page. She is also the Artistic Director of CDI/Concert Dance, Inc..
Concert Dance, Inc. has been described by the Chicago Sun-Times as "wonderfully dramatic," Concert Dance, Inc. has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. The company has appeared at the Ravinia Festival for 17 summers and will return in 2024. Trained as a dancer, Ms. Stifler worked and studied in both Chicago and New York with Bill Evans, and Nana Shineflug. Her influences are Jennifer Mueller, Alwin Nikolais, and Merce Cunningham. She went on to a national and international performing career that spanned over a decade. Ms. Stifler holds a Ph.D. in Dance and Choreography, and served as Coordinator of Dance at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, where she is a Professor Emerita She was selected in 2015 to NewCity's annual "Players 2015" list, which honors leaders within the Chicago arts and culture community by recognizing those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make art happen in Chicago. She is featured in the Marquis Whose Who Magazine, sixth edition, honoring the legacies of Professionals from around the world.

Work Sample

concertdanceinc.org

In our website gallery are samples of our repertoire with short descriptions of each.

The work samples we submitted live in the gallery of our website. There are several dances to view and read about. The expertise and ensemble work of the company is evident in each work. The Concert Dance website describes our 43 year history and several In-Residence positions.

History

Organization Mission and History
Concert Dance, Inc. (CDI) creates and presents contemporary works that evolve from a choreographic collective under the artistic direction of Emmy Award-nominated choreographer, Venetia Stifler. CDI combines live music, video, and other media in its performances. This approach to dance and choreography drives the company's artistic vision and sets an example of artistic collaboration. CDI's Vision statement is "Art That Moves". Stifler's goal is to explore ideas and stimulus to movement that connect our inner and outer lives. The company repertory also explores important issues like immigration, workers rights, cultural. conflict, the trauma of violence etc.

Artistic Vision

"Art that Moves" implies that the art we make is moving in space, as well as the internal space of the performer and audience. While interpreting important themes, both personal and social we seek to connect with the humanity of our audience.

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

Artistic Director, Venetia Stifler, holds a Ph.D in Dance choreography, with a subspecialty in Dance Education. She has been a dance educator for over 35 years. Whether teaching language through dance, or performance skills in a rehearsal Dr. Stifler, Ph.D. and the CDI ensemble has the experience to design a program specific to the needs of any producer. Some members of the ensemble are bilingual and speak Spanish. and English. Our Ensemble dancers and teachers are experienced in teaching dance techniques, Tap Dance, Salsa, and Afro Cuban Dance.