Auditorium Theatre 2019-2020 American Ballet Theatre

Throughout its 130-year history, the Auditorium Theatre has always been a place to experience the world’s finest classical and contemporary dance. The iconic ballerina Anna Pavlova, the innovative performer Isadora Duncan, and some of world’s most celebrated dance companies — such as The Royal Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Ballet Folklórico de México — have all graced our legendary stage. Today, we honor this legacy in many ways. We are the Chicago home for Visiting Resident Companies Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and American Ballet Theatre. We present local favorites like Giordano Dance Chicago, Trinity Irish Dance Company, and Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater. We bring world-renowned artists like the Bolshoi Ballet and Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg to perform on Chicago’s Landmark stage. However, continuing this legacy is only possible with the support of our community. While every patron who walks through our doors takes part in supporting our dance legacy, there is also a devoted group of individuals, known as Dance Partners, who are ensuring that dance at the Auditorium remains a part of our story through their financial support and their artistic expertise. Leading this charge are Dance Partners co-chairs Kevin McGirr and Jennifer Edgcomb. Both Illinois natives, they eventually put down roots in Chicago working in financial consulting and real estate, respectively, while always staying close to the arts. That is why it is no surprise they both have a special connection to the Auditorium. “When I saw Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972, I was in awe of the beauty of the Auditorium Theatre, as I still am today!” recalls Kevin. “I remember attending performances by Alvin Ailey, The Jorey Ballet, Hubbard Street, and American Ballet Theatre starting in the 80s and Phantom of the Opera , Les Misérables , and Miss Saigon in the 90s.” Jennifer remembers bringing her students to see Dance Theater of Harlem at the Auditorium during her time as a dance teacher, and now brings groups of adult dance students. She rarely misses a dance performance at the Auditorium. “Some of my favorite performances at the Auditorium include Batsheva Dance Company and Netherlands Dance Theater. I saw Fuerza Buerta at the Auditorium. It was so spectacular that I went back two days later to see it again!” So when the opportunity to support dance at the Auditorium through a Dancer Partners membership arose, both Kevin and Jennifer were eager to get involved. Kevin was one of our first members in 2017. When asked why he decided to join, Kevin said, “Through my involvement with Dance for Life (an evening of dance, philanthropy, and hope to support the Dancers’ Fund and The AIDS Foundation of Chicago), my respect for the dance companies of Chicago, and the interactions with the sta of the Auditorium Theatre, it was just the right thing to do! I also want more people to be aware of the outstanding programming oered by the Auditorium’s ‘Made in Chicago’ Dance series and the national and international dance companies [that perform] on its historic stage.” BECOMING A DANCE PARTNER, CONTINUING A DANCE LEGACY Left page, left to right: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Jacqueline Green in Alvin Ailey’s Revelations . Photo by Paul Kolnik. | Trinity Irish Dance Company. Photo by Lois Greenfield. | Bolshoi Ballet’s Smirnova Odette in Swan Lake . Photo by Damir Yusupov. Right page, top to bottom: Dance Partners Co-Chairs Jennifer Edgcomb and Kevin McGirr. Photo courtesy of the Auditorium Theatre. | Dance Partners with American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Daniil Simkin. Photo by Kristie Kahns. Throughout its 130-year history, the Auditorium Theatre h s always be n a place to experi nc the world’s finest cl ssical and co temporary ance. The iconic ballerina Anna Pavlova, the innovative performer Isadora Duncan, and some of world’s most celebrated dance companies — such as The Royal Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Ballet Folklórico de México — have all graced our legendary stage. Today, we honor this legacy in many ways. We are the Chicago home for Visiting Resident Companies Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and A erican Ballet Theatre. We present local favorites like Giordano Dance Chicago, Trinity Irish Dance Company, and Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater. We bring world-renowned artists like the Bolshoi Ballet and Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg to perform on Chicago’s Landmark stage. However, continuing this legacy is only possible with the support of our community. While every patron who walks through our doors takes part in supporting our dance legacy, there is also a devoted group of individuals, known as Dance Partners, who are ensuring that dance at the Auditorium remains a part of our story through their financial support and their artistic expertise. Leading this charge are Dance Partners co-chairs Kevin McGirr and Jennifer Edgcomb. Both Illinois natives, they eventually put down roots in Chicago working in financial consulting and real estate, respectively, while always staying close to the arts. That is why it is no surprise they both have a special connection to the Auditorium. “When I saw Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972, I was in awe of the beauty of the Auditorium Theatre, as I still am today!” recalls Kevin. “I remember attending performances by Alvin Ailey, The Jorey Ballet, Hubbard Street, and American Ballet Theatre starting in the 80s and Phantom of the Opera , Les Misérables , and Miss Saigon in the 90s.” Jennifer remembers bringing her students to see Dance Theater of Harlem at the Auditorium during her time as a dance teacher, and now brings groups of adult dance students. She rarely misses a dance performance at the Auditorium. “Some of my favorite performances at the Auditoriu include Batsheva Dance Company and Netherlands Dance Theater. I saw Fuerza Buerta at the Auditorium. It was so spectacular that I went back two days later to see it again!” So when the opportunity to support dance at the Auditorium through a Dancer Partners membership arose, both Kevin and Jennifer were eager to get involved. Kevin was one of our first members in 2017. When asked why he decided to join, Kevin said, “Through my involvement with Dance for Life (an evening of dance, philanthropy, and hope to support the Dancers’ Fund and The AIDS Foundation of Chicago), my respect for the dance companies of Chicago, and the interactions with the sta of the Auditorium Theatre, it was just the right thing to do! I also want more people to be aware of the outstanding programming oered by the Auditorium’s ‘Made in Chicago’ Dance series and the national and international dance companies [that perform] on its historic stage.” BECOMING A DANCE PARTNER, CONTINUING A DANCE LEGACY Left page, left to right: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Jacqueline Green in Alvin Ailey’s Revelations . Photo by Paul Kolnik. | Trinity Irish Dance Company. Photo by Lois Greenfield. | Bolshoi Ballet’s Smirnova Odette in Swan Lake . Photo by Damir Yusupov. Right page, top to bottom: Dance Partners Co-Chairs Jennifer Edgcomb and Kevin McGirr. Photo courtesy of the Auditorium Theatre. | Dance Partners with American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Daniil Simkin. Photo by Kristie Kahns. 20 | AUDITORIUM THEATRE 2019-20 | March 10 - May 5, 2020