AUDTORIUM THEATRE WELCOMES RIVER NORTH DANCE CHICAGO, PRESENTING TWO WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMANCES AS PART OF THE THEATRE’S “MADE IN CHICAGO” DANCE SERIES

AUDTORIUM THEATRE WELCOMES RIVER NORTH DANCE CHICAGO, PRESENTING TWO WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMANCES AS PART OF THE THEATRE’S “MADE IN CHICAGO” DANCE SERIES 1 The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University’s “Made in Chicago” Series continues with River North Dance Chicago (RNDC), Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m., presenting two world premiere pieces in a single evening. The performance features “Beast,” the choreographic debut of RNDC company member Hanna Brictson, and the all-new “the frost that binds” by three-time RNDC guest choreographer Adam Barruch. Led by 2014 Chicagoan of the Year (Chicago Tribune) Frank Chaves, RNDC continues their 25th Anniversary celebration with this versatile, fresh spring performance. Tickets ($27– $67) are available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org, by calling (800) 982-ARTS (2787) or in-person at the Auditorium’s Box Office (50 E. Congress Pkwy).

BeastThe Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University’s “Made in Chicago” Series continues with River North Dance Chicago (RNDC), Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m., presenting two world premiere pieces in a single evening. The performance features “Beast,” the choreographic debut of RNDC company member Hanna Brictson, and the all-new “the frost that binds” by three-time RNDC guest choreographer Adam Barruch. Led by 2014 Chicagoan of the Year (Chicago Tribune) Frank Chaves, RNDC continues their 25th Anniversary celebration with this versatile, fresh spring performance. Tickets ($27– $67) are available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org, by calling (800) 982-ARTS (2787) or in-person at the Auditorium’s Box Office (50 E. Congress Pkwy).

Rounding out the program is the “deeply sensual” (Chicago Tribune) “Flesh” by Spanish choreographer Iván Pérez and two works from RNDC artistic director Frank Chaves. Chaves’ “In The End,” a powerful all-male work for six dancers, complements the rousing “Habaneras,” an ode to the 1950s-era Big Band sounds of Cuba, Chaves’ native home. One of RNDC’s signature works, “Habaneras” is presented as part of a special anniversary revival during the company’s spring engagement. This staple work features the full company and celebrates the scores of Cuba’s musical luminaries, including Ernesto Lecuona, Carlos Puebla and Silvio Rodríguez.

“The excitement continues to build for our ‘Made in Chicago’ series,” said Auditorium Theatre Executive Director Brett Batterson. “We’re honored to have yet another celebrated Chicago company bring two world premieres to our stage. We’re also thrilled to continue our partnership with River North Dance. This will be the third consecutive season that the company will be presenting on the Auditorium’s landmark stage.”

The “Made in Chicago” Dance Series is sponsored by The Boeing Company. 

“BEAST” 

RNDC company member Hanna Brictson makes her choreographic debut with “Beast,” featuring all six of RNDC’s female dancers, including Lauren Kias, Jessica Wolfrum, Hayley Meier, Olivia Rehrman, Gretchen LaWall, as well as Brictson herself. The Princess Grace Award nominee and Elgin native has been a featured performer for River North Dance since 2004. She served as choreographic assistant during the creation of “Havana Blue,” a collaboration between RNDC’s Chaves and Chicago Jazz Philharmonic’s Orbert Davis, also presented at the Auditorium. Set to a mixed compilation of music by Kangding Ray, Locust and Keith Kenniff, “Beast” speaks to female empowerment, the thrill of perseverance and the exhilarating sensation of overcoming the impossible.

Says Brictson, “My inspiration for ‘Beast’ has come from an accumulation of moments in my life. The piece is truly inspired by the growth and ownership I have as a woman. I want the audience to connect deep within themselves to their own moments where they grew an inch taller, dug a foot deeper, and challenged what they thought was their limit, both emotionally and physically. I want everyone to feel touched by the dancers’ beauty and vulnerability.”

“This has been a long time coming,” said Chaves. “Hanna is one of our city’s rising young talents. Her history with the company is long and vast, having been an apprentice, a company member, rehearsal assistant and now a featured contributor to our increasingly diverse repertoire. Her gifts are immeasurable. We’re overjoyed that her first piece for the company will be taking place on the prestigious Auditorium stage.”

“Beast” is exclusively underwritten by Karuna Maddava and Henry Beardsley.

“the frost that binds”

RNDC will also present the world premiere of “the frost that binds” by acclaimed choreographer Adam Barruch. Featuring an original score by Brooklyn-based artist Roarke Menzies, “the frost that binds” looks closely at the idea of transformation as the seasons change from cold to warm, and the climactic sensation of an ostensibly new beginning. Barruch, winner of the 2014 Lotos Foundation Prize in the Arts and Sciences, sets his second original work for RNDC following 2012’s “I Close My Eyes Until the End” (RNDC also performed Barruch’s “The Worst Pies in London” in 2013). Barruch, a graduate of the Juilliard School, has established himself as one of dance’s most versatile artists.

“I’m humbled by the opportunity to work with the company members of River North Dance once again,” said Barruch. “It’s such a seamless process when we’re in the studio together, even in a situation as intense as creating a new work. It speaks volumes about the company’s leadership and work ethic. I can’t wait to see where this next journey takes us.”

Program subject to change.

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information

Saturday, March 28, 2015 | 7:30 p.m.

Tickets ($27 – $67) are available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org, by calling (800) 982-ARTS (2787) or in-person at Auditorium Theatre’s Box Office (50 E. Congress Pkwy). Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are available at (312) 341-2357 or sales@auditoriumtheatre.org.

River North Dance Chicago is part of the Auditorium’s “Made in Chicago” Dance Series, which also includes “Chicago Rhythm Fest.”

Auditorium Theatre’s 2014 – 15 Season

The Auditorium Theatre 2014 – 15 Season also includes Grupo Corpo (February 28 – March 1); Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (March 6 – 15); Lila Downs (May 6); Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg (May 8 – 10); “Chicago Rhythm Fest” (May 13); “His Way – A Sinatra Centennial Celebration” (May 30); The Royal Ballet’s “Don Quixote” (June 18 – 21); and Jake Shimabukuro with The City Lights Orchestra (June 24). For a complete listing of events at the Auditorium Theatre, please click here.

125th Anniversary Season Sponsors

The Auditorium Theatre would like to thank their 125th Anniversary Season Sponsors: Lead Corporate Sponsor Nicor Gas, Lead Foundation Sponsor Robert R. McCormick Foundation and David D. Hiller, International Dance Series Sponsor NIB Foundation, and “Made in Chicago” Dance Series sponsor The Boeing Company. Media sponsors include Chicago Magazine and WXRT, and the Pasquinelli Family Foundation is the Gala Dinner Celebration Sponsor. Student Matinee Series Sponsors for the 2014-15 Season include The Private Bank and The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation.

About the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, located at 50 E. Congress Pkwy, is an Illinois, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural, community and educational programming to Chicago, and to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre. In September of 2014, the Auditorium Theatre was awarded the inaugural Fifth Star Award by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. On December 9, 2014, the Auditorium Theatre celebrated its 125th Birthday with a proclamation from the City of Chicago declaring it “Auditorium Theatre Day.”

The Auditorium Theatre is generously supported by the MacArthur Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, the Sage Foundation, and the Palmer House Hilton. For more information about programming, volunteer and donor opportunities or theatre tours, call (312) 341-2310 or visit AuditoriumTheatre.org.

About River North Dance Chicago

Critically acclaimed for their athletic, sensual and dynamic repertoire River North Dance Chicago presents dynamic works that combine athletic prowess and artistic perspective with bold, theatrical flair. Founded in 1989, RNDC is under the leadership of Artistic Director Frank Chaves who strives to demonstrate depth and sophistication with a commitment to creating an accessible, enriching experience for audiences. The company continues to make a name for themselves on the world stage travelling throughout the country and internationally. RNDC participated in the IV International Ballet Festival in Cali, Columbia in 2010, the Busan International Dance Festival in Korea in June 2011, toured to Germany and Switzerland on an 11-city tour in Fall 2011 and a 5-week, 17-city tour of Russia. The company continues to tour internationally during the 14 – 15 season with performances in Israel, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.

Core works by Chaves are augmented with an array of pieces by nationally and internationally renowned choreographers including Mauro Astolfi, Adam Barruch, Robert Battle, Iván Pérez and Nejla Yatkin, among others. RNDC has been the subject of three Emmy Award-winning WTTW Chicago Television specials produced by HMS Media. They have been heralded by the Chicago Sun Times stating “this company has been dancing brilliantly for many seasons, but it rarely has looked better” and they continue to be a vital member of the Chicago community through their ongoing commitment to educational and artistic programming through dance. For more information, visit RiverNorthChicago.com.