This powerhouse company is a magnificent display of soul stirring raw power and grace,” says Chicago Theatre Review. Deeply Rooted Dance Theater reimagines and diversifies the aesthetics of contemporary dance by uniting modern, classical, American, and African American traditions in dance and storytelling. Celebrating more than 28 years as one of the most renowned dance companies in Chicago, the evening at the historic Auditorium Theatre will present the full spectrum of Deeply Rooted’s impressive trajectory.

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Group Tickets on Sale Now!

Groups of 10-29 15% Discount
Groups of 30+ 20% Discount

Contact The Auditorium Box Office at (312) 341-2300

Deeply Rooted joins Navy Pier’s free two-day Chicago Live! performing arts festival returns for the fourth year on September 21-22.

Celebrating Chicago’s vibrant arts and cultural community, more than 110 artists and organizations will perform in back-to-back performances, Pier-wide, across three stages.

Saturday, September 21 at 4:30 PM at the East Stage.

Deeply At Dusk is an evening highlighting Deeply Rooted Dance Theater repertory, as well new works. The performance celebrates classical, gospel, jazz. and contemporary African American composers and artists. Chicago and beyond.

Time:
Thursday, Aug 15, 2024 at 7:30 PM

Free | All ages

Deeply Rooted presents an evening-length performance at The Lincoln Theatre in Columbus, Ohio. The program includes Vespers by Ulysses Dove, Mama Rose by Keith Lee, Artistic Director Nicole Clarke-Springer’s Madonna Anno Domini, Co-Founder Gary Abbott’s 53 Inhale, and Co-Founder Kevin Iega Jeff’s Juntos.

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater joins the stage with Muntu Dance Theatre to showcase authentic and progressive interpretations of contemporary and ancient African and African-American dance, music, and storytelling.

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater joins Ruth Page Civic Ballet at Ravinia this summer! The Ruth Page Civic Ballet brings its boundary-breaking namesake’s elegance, artistry, and creative daring to the Ravinia stage.

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater joins the program bringing its trademark unity of modern, classical, American, and African-American traditions. The evening also features DanceWorks Chicago, which accentuates a deeply personal approach to choreography; Hedwig Dances, a contemporary company known for bold, interdisciplinary collaborations; and Chicago Human Rhythm Project Artistic Director Jumaane Taylor, adding his spirited connection to arts and ancestry.

Deeply Rooted’s Company Member Ahmad Hill, will be performing the piece Aisatnaf choreographed by Kevin Iega Jeff.

Show time:
Saturday, June 17 at 2 PM

Tickets
$25 General

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, along with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, Giordano Dance Chicago, and HPHS Collage Program, joins Highland Park High School’s Focus on the Arts Dance. Deeply Rooted will be performing an excerpt of the riveting piece Madonna Anno Domini, choreographed by Artistic Director Nicole Clarke-Springer featuring music by Culoe De Song and Aretha Franklin.

Tickets are required but FREE!

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater begins the new year by participating in Day of Giving - Unity in Our Community in Highland Park, Illinois, celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event takes place Monday, January 16 at 10 a.m. at the Recreation Center of Highland Park, 1207 Park Avenue W in Highland Park, Illinois.

At 12:15 PM, Deeply Rooted performs an excerpt of Madonna Anno Domini, choreographed by Artistic Director Nicole Clarke-Springer to music by Culoe De Song and Aretha Franklin.

The program features the world premiere of Q After Dark, a joyous celebration of the music of Chicago's legendary Quincy Jones. The Deeply Rooted dancers perform choreography by the company’s Artistic Team—Artistic Director Nicole Clarke-Springer, Associate Artistic Director Gary Abbott, Creative/Executive Director Kevin Iega Jeff, and Joshua L. Ishmon—with live music by a super-ensemble of musicians led by Sam Thousand.

In a company premiere by acclaimed choreographer Ulysses Dove, Deeply Rooted performs Vespers, a dramatic work full of raw energy and profound grace. Inspired by Dove’s memories of his grandmother’s place of worship, Vespers showcases the athleticism and grace of six female dancers propelled by Mikel Rouse’s electronic score.

The evening continues with the premiere of an excerpt of Madonna Anno Domini by Artistic Director Nicole Clarke-Springer featuring music by Culoe De Song and Aretha Franklin. Completing the program is a revival of Aisatnaf, choreographed by Co-Founder and Creative/Executive Director Kevin Iega Jeff, in which a woodland creature frolics to Ballet Fantasy for Strings and Harp by Lee Holdridge.

On October 16, join us from 1:00–4:30 PM for 6 FREE classes a collaborative performance by South Chicago Dance Theatre (Contemporary, Horton) and Chicago Dance Crash (Contemporary Hip Hop) as well as an open rehearsal by Deeply Rooted Dance Theater(modern, classical, American, and African-American traditions in dance and storytelling). 

The day will consist of 3, FREE introductory classes from 1-1:50pm followed by 3 more FREE introductory classes from 2-2:50pm. Classes will be taught by artists from South Chicago Dance Theatre, Chicago Dance Crash, and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater! Class sizes are limited, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

From 3:30–4:30 PM, South Chicago Dance Theatre and Chicago Dance Crash will perform complete works from their repertory and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater will share an open rehearsal to provide an intimate glimpse into the creative process.

Don’t miss this FREE performance of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater performing Heaven and Parallel Lives. Chicago Live! is a free two-day performance festival featuring more than 60 of the city’s top musical, theatrical, dance, and cultural organizations with back-to-back performances.

Join Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project as they celebrate the Year of Chicago Dance with a free concert in Millennium Park. This one-night-only event features eight thrilling Chicago-based companies, including Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Ayodele Drum and Dance, Chicago Multicultural Dance Center, Forward Momentum Chicago, Joel Hall Dancers & Center, Muntu Dance Theater of Chicago, Najwa Dance Corps, and Red Clay Dance Company.

Deeply Rooted is excited to join Chicago dance companies for Dance for Life on August 13 at Auditorium Theatre!

Dance for Life is a one-of-a-kind annual performance and benefit event that has showcased nearly 40 Chicago-based dance companies, as well as numerous choreographers, artists, and designers, throughout the past 31 years. The celebratory performance fuels The Dancers’ Fund and those who participate graciously donate their time, energy, and artistry.

In 2022, we return to the Auditorium Theatre to carry forth the founding principles of Dance for Life—compassion and service—while honoring the vibrancy of Chicago’s dance community. The celebratory performance will be followed by an after-party at Venue SIX10.

Photo Credit: Todd Rosenberg

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater is proud join the Ragdale Foundation’s celebration of early and current African-Americans in Lake Forest during the 2022 Ragdale Ring summer series.

Bring blankets or folding chairs and food. There will be a cash bar.

• 6:30 pm - Event Begins

• 6:40 pm - Performance by members of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater

• 6:50 pm – Conversation between Carol Summerfield, Executive Director of The History Center of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff, and Dr. Courtney Joseph, Assistant Professor of History and African American Studies at Lake Forest College.

• 7:15 pm – Performance by Bill Brickey Band

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater is excited to join the line-up for one of the best block parties in the city! This family friendly event features a dope musical lineup across multiple stages, plus local food vendors, a health and well-being area, a design pavilion, beach volleyball, and more.

Date: July 16
Time: TBD
Location: Oakwood Beach at 39th Street

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater is thrilled to perform in DanceAfrica Chicago, presented by Muntu Dance Theatre, when it returns this summer with a one-night-only, two-hour concert performance showcasing the breadth and depth of Black dance excellence in the Midwest. The evening will also feature the professional companies of M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Red Clay Dance, Rennie Harris Puremovement and, of course, Muntu Dance Theatre, accompanied by the exceptional youth of Azania Drum.

A VIP afterparty with the companies will immediately follow the performance in the main lobby of the Harris Theater. Tickets for the afterparty are sold separately.

Accessible tickets will be available when performance tickets go on sale to the general public in each venue’s box office. Anyone with financial barriers to attending our performances may request accessible tickets.

Groups and organizations representing the exceptional youth and families of Chicago’s south, west and south west sides are especially encouraged to partner with us. Please contact danceafricachi@muntu.com for details about free and reduced ticket packages.

The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project Presents
ALCHEMY: The Science and Magic of Black Dance in Chicago

Saturday, May 21, 2022
Marketplace: 6PM | Concert: 7 PM
Post-Show Discussion: 8:30 PM

Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts
915 E. 60th Street | Chicago
Tickets: $25: General Admission | $10: Students and Seniors (62+)

Back by popular demand, The CBDLP presents its Spring 2022 Concert ALCHEMY, featuring Ayodele Drum & Dance, The Chicago Multicultural Dance Company, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Forward Momentum Chicago, Joel Hall Dancers & Center, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, NAJWA Dance Corps, and Red Clay Dance Company.

This exhilarating and inspiring dance concert and panel discussion is a celebration of these 8 companies, their individual legacies, and how they came together to create a magical project that is historic and transformative for the future of Black dance in Chicago. The performance will immediately be followed by a post-performance discussion with the founders and/or current executive leadership led by Tracie Hall, the dynamic arts leader that conceived the project. Come and enjoy a 1-hour pre-performance marketplace, archive exhibition, and tables featuring each of the 8 companies.

The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, an initiative of the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, is partially supported by The Joyce Foundation and The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

A fundraising concert to celebrate dance legend, Ruth Page, featuring dance and theater performance from our In-Resident Organizations and artists from the Chicago Dance Community.

After celebrating virtually in 2021, we are thrilled to return live to the stage for our annual birthday celebration of founder and international dance icon, Ruth Page (1899 – 1991). “Center Stage at Ruth Page” annually features the In-Resident Organizations who call The Ruth Page Center for the Arts home, and for 2022, in continued celebration of The Ruth Page Center for the Arts’ 50th anniversary, we’re expanding our program to include dance companies from the Chicago Dance Community!

Join us for both nights! Friday’s program will include performances from the artists and organizations who are in residence at the Center. Then, Saturday will feature a new program with our invited guest performers. The talented dancers from the Ruth Page Civic Ballet Training Company and advanced dancers from the Ruth Page School of Dance will join these professional companies both Friday and Saturday night.

Each night will also include a wine and dessert reception in our lobby - it is a birthday party after all!

Saturday, March 26 - $20 General Admission
Performing Companies:

• Deeply Rooted Dance Theater
• M.A.D.D. Rhythms
• Muntu Dance Theatre
• South Chicago Dance Theatre
• Ruth Page Civic Ballet Training Company
• Ruth Page School of Dance

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS:
Proof of vaccination will be required for all patrons (ages 5+) attending the performances. Please be prepared with a Government Issued ID (ages 16+) and proof of vaccination upon entering the lobby of the Ruth Page Center for the Arts.

Masks are required to be worn throughout the entirety of the performance by all attendees.
(Updated February 25, 2022)

Deeply Rooted concludes its 25th anniversary season with “Roots & Wings,” an evening-length performance at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. The program’s first act features work by nationally renowned choreographers, followed by the second act finale, GOSHEN, the Story of the Exodus, with music by Grammy Award-winning producer, composer, and gospel artist Donald Lawrence.

Tickets are on sale now!

Groups discounts available for groups of 10-40 @ 20% and 40+ @ 25%. Discounted group tickets may be reserved with a 25% deposit by contacting 312.341.2300 or sales@auditoriumtheatre.org. 

In light of the increased numbers of new COVID cases in Chicago, for this event patrons, 12 and over are REQUIRED to show proof of vaccination at the door or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of entry. Guests under 12 may gain entry by wearing a mask at all times when not eating and drinking. All guests must wear a mask when not eating or drinking.

Deeply Rooted presents “A Deeply Rooted Evening for Chicago’s Healing: GOSHEN (preview)” August 25 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph Street. With concept and music by Grammy Award-winning producer, composer, and gospel artist Donald Lawrence, GOSHEN features Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, gospel singer Le’Andria Johnson performing the number one hit single “Deliver Me,” lead singers from The Tri-City Singers, and Zeke Locke & The NuXperience.

GOSHEN, the Story of the Exodus, is a celebratory collaboration of gospel music, dramatic narrative, and dance-theater rooted in African-American traditions. The work explores historic biblical themes of power, oppression, and deliverance in a joyous contemporary setting, reflecting the soul’s journey through human experience, introspection, and hope. Deeply Rooted Co-Founder and Creative/Executive Director Kevin Iega Jeff directs and choreographs; additional choreographers are Co-Founder and Associate Artistic Director Gary Abbott, Artistic Director Nicole-Clarke Springer, Artistic Team member Joshua Ishmon, and guest choreographer Tshediso Kabulu.

Premium Seating

General admission is free;
a $25 (or more) contribution provides access to premium bowl seating;
a contribution of $150–$1,000 includes premium bowl seating and a post-performance celebration at the Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace.