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Programs

Synapse Arts runs 3 main programs:

Professional Presentations

New Works

Dance with Synapse

 

Professional Presentations

DANCE BASED WORKS

about Professional Presentations

Professional Presentations is the company's founding program, flexibly supporting the creation and performance of original works by the company's artists. Many of these works have been directed by Rachel Damon with input from the ensemble and collaborators, though in recent years the company has expanded to support works by many choreographers. Synapse's site-specific pieces bring dance to unique spaces and make the artform accessible to all.

- Crosswalk Dances, a series of traveling performances with choreography customized to pedestrian pathways. Join in a yoga warmup then watch professional dancers enliven the city landscape, and maybe add your own moves!
These free dance pop-ups exemplify Synapse Arts’ belief that art can happen anywhere, at any time. Look for dancers wearing bright colors and body speakers that carry the music with them! (more info on Crosswalk Dances)

- Mural Dances

- Dance Films

- Performance pieces ranging from 15 to 75 minutes long

- Studio Series

Click here to know what's up next ON THE CALENDAR.

Synapse Arts events actively welcome individuals with diverse identities, including all genders, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, income levels, ages, parent/caregiver statuses, backgrounds, and household structures. All Synapse Arts events are relaxed and sensory-friendly.

For accessibility service requests, please contact info@synapsearts.com or call or text 947-2CREATE (947-227-3283).

In The Studio

 

To kick off our 20th-anniversary celebration, we are inviting past collaborators of Synapse to our studios, hosting different artists every month throughout 2024.

Each artist spends their time in the studio as they wish—researching, remaking, creating,
and engaging in conversations with peer artists. A stipend is provided to support their process.
Audience members are invited to informal showings featuring participants.


Join us for the final Studio Series Showings of the year!

FREE

Showing #3
Monday, December 9

12:30 - 2pm

at Lincoln Park Cultural Center in the dance studio

featuring Lucas Greeff/Such Creatures and Laura Tennal

Showing #4

Saturday, December 14

2 - 4pm

at Loyola Park in the Sky Room

featuring Maggie Bridger, Surinder Martignetti, and Elisa Foshay

 

Chartamia shows her back to the audience on stage. Her arms are lifted overhead.

January
Chartamia "Shay" Turner

Photo by Michele Reid

Molly is on the wooden floor with her weight spread between her right knee and her left foot. Her fingers are intertwined with her hands stretched to the side of her body. She's looking to the side with a smile and soft light in her face. Her long dark brown wavy hair flows down her shoulders.

February
Molly Hillson

Photo by William Frederking

Matthew, a white man in black pants and red tank shirt, photographed mid-jump with his hand reaching out forward and upwards.

February
Matthew McMunn

Photo by William Frederking

Kait is standing in the park, stretching their hands in front of their face. They're wearing a bright blue shirt and sunglasses with blue frame.

March
Kait Dessoffy

Photo by Matt Griffo

Chrissy eases into the floor on one shin. Her head is tilted looking up.

April
Jordan Kunkel

Photo by Hanako Maki

Jordan lunges in front of a vines wall. They wrap their hand around their arm, exposing their palm.

April
Chrissy Martin

Photo by William Frederking

Catherine Hepler, a multiracial woman, poses in front of a black background and on a light wood floor in a bright red, long-sleeved, tunic top with a matching belt tie and matching red flowy pants. She stands with her left leg (right to viewer) further back with her weight on the ball of her foot, and her legs create a triangular shape. Her left arm is outstretched slightly down from her shoulder and the hand is gently flexed up. Her right arm is reaching up and slightly back toward the ceiling with fingers spread. She looks down toward the floor, but her face is showing and framed by her shoulder length curly, dark brown hair of pacific islander features.

May
Catherine Hepler IS/LAND

Photo by William Frederking

Chih-Hsien Lin, a native Taiwanese, wears a black sleeveless round neck long uneven dress, standing on her right leg, looking intently into her left hand, which looks as if it could be holding or grasping something. The right elbow reaches away from the left hand, with the right thumb and index finger point downward. She has black chin length hair with light brown highlights, the long bang tied back, showing her face at an angle.

May
Chih-Hsien Lin
IS/LAND

Photo by William Frederking

Olivia Lemmenes, a Chinese adoptee woman, poses in front of a salmon colored backdrop wearing a black sports bra and back spandex shorts. She is holding turquoise feathers in both hands, her left arm is bent over her head and her right arm is crossed in front of her torso. She is also wearing salmon colored (same as the backdrop color) mesh fabric around her shoulders, as she stands in a deep plié forced arch fourth position with her left foot crossed in front. The fabric is flying out around her body, as she looks slightly up towards the right corner of the frame.

May
Olivia Lemmenes
IS/LAND

Photo by Allison Armfield

Reign wears a black turtleneck and blue shorts. They squat, balancing on the balls of their feet, as they lift their arms overhead.

June
Reign Drop

Photo by William Frederking

A black and white upper body portrait of a latinx womxn wearing a hat and a fur coat. The opposite side of right palm is gently touching her right cheek and her left wrist touches her hat.

July
Camila Rivero Pooley

Photo by Gabriela Chavez

A white woman with long brown hair smiles. She wears a light blue scarf and blue shirt in front of a red tree.

August
Elisa Foshay

Photo by Jean-Paul Masuda

A white trans-masculine person with long brown hair poses in front of a white background wearing green pants, a black shirt and blue flannel.

September
Lucas Greeff/ Such Creatures

Photo by William Frederking

Maggie wears a black short sleeved dress. She stands in front of a radiator. A heating pad is wrapped around her waist. She holds it’s cord stretched out in front of her.

October

Maggie Bridger

Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis

Laura wears a green hand-knit textile. She looks down towards her left shoulder as she pulls the textile.

November

Laura Tennal

Photo by Frank Konrath

Surinder wears a sheer red polka dot top. She moves the fabric as she moves in motion.

December

Surinder Martignetti

Photo by Ashley Deran

EMERGING CREATIVES

New Works

New Works has developed extensively since it's first version in 2010. Now the program is a biennial, 6-month long incubator for emerging and underrepresented artists. Up to three artists (or artist groups) are selected through a public request-for-proposals and panel review to receive commissions supported by rehearsal space, a dedicated mentor, professional development, fully-produced performances, and documentation. 23 works by women, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC makers have premiered to date, culminating in consistently sold-out performances of the new pieces developed by the supported artists.

This Chicago-based program reflects the founding principles of Synapse Arts, connecting artists with one another to share resources and develop their voices through the creation of unique artworks.

The minimal and flexible structure is intended to organize a process that provides balance and direction without restricting creativity. New Works can be a step in your artistic evolution; we are interested in helping move focused artistry forward.

about New Works

WHAT THE ARTISTS RECEIVE

  • A $1,000 stipend which can be used to pay oneself and/or to pay for costumes, additional rehearsal space, collaborator fees, etc. Please note that artists will receive a 2025 1099 for this payment.
  • Free rehearsal space at our Chicago Park District locations (schedules allowing).
  • Mentorship from an outside person selected in collaboration with the artist, who receives a stipend.
  • Support from the staff and collaborators of Synapse, including a work-in-progress showing and rehearsal visits, if desired.
  • Hands-on experience in performance production.
  • A place in a final performance or showing or screening, produced by Synapse Arts with public relations & marketing.
  • Professional photos and video of their work in performance.

This minimal and flexible structure is intended to organize a process that provides balance and direction without restricting creativity. New Works can be a step in your artistic evolution; we are interested in helping move focused artistry forward.

We are attempting to be as transparent as possible in explaining this program and what we are asking for in your proposal. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out via email. Since our staff does not work full time (we are all part time workers) we do not have an office number and prioritize written communication that can be answered during our work hours. Transparency is a way of de-bundling the power we acknowledge exists within the relationship between an organization and an applicant, please know that we are artists ourselves and have experienced all the parts of application processes. All respectful questions are welcome!

 

INFO SESSION

A free application workshop will take place in person at Loyola Park on Saturday, October 26th, 2pm-3:30pm CDT, as part of Synapse Arts' annual Free Dance Day event. Former New Works artist and review panelist Chris Knowlton will lead the workshop, along with former New Works artist and panelist Jamila Kekulah. Bring your questions!

A recorded information session from a panel of former New Works artists, including Maria Blanco (of LOUD BODIES), Chris Knowlton, Amanda Ramirez, Megan Rhyme, and Nora Sharp.

Please email info@synapsearts.com to request a transcript of the closed captioning.

A LOOK BACK

FULL INFO about New Works 2025 HERE: NEW WORKS

Dance With Synapse

weekly classes and short term residencies

about Dance With Synapse

Dance With Synapse is a local outreach and education program which serves families and professional dancers year-round and periodically provides intensive study at other locations through workshops and residencies.


Current classes are taught at three locations: Loyola Park, Berger Park Cultural Center and Lincoln Park Cultural Center, where Synapse works as an Arts Partner in Residence with the Chicago Park District.

Photos by: Megan Rhyme, Laura Tennal, Mathew Gregory Hollis.

WINTER CLASSES 2025

Monday, January 6 to

Sunday, March 16

already registered? check in for the first day here

click here to check in

Beginning Ballet for 3 to 5 year olds

Saturdays 9:30-10:15am.
$75 for a 10 week session.

Taught by Synapse Teaching Artist Kait Dessoffy.

Class is full

Beginning Ballet for 3 to 5 year olds

Saturdays 10:30-11:15am.
$75 for a 10 week session.

Taught by Synapse Teaching Artist Kait Dessoffy.

Class is full

 

Beginning Ballet for 6 to 8 year olds

Saturdays 11:30am-12:15pm.
$75 for a 10 week session.

Taught by Synapse Teaching Artist Kait Dessoffy.

Class is full

 

Beginning Ballet for 3 to 5 years

Thursdays 2:00-2:45pm.

$42 for an 10 week session.

Classes take place in the Berger Ball Room on the 3rd floor.

Taught by Synapse Teaching Artist Lucas Greeff.

Class is full

Beginning Ballet for 3 to 5 years

Saturdays 9:30am-10:15am.

$42 for an 10 week session.

Classes take place in the Berger Ball Room on the 3rd floor.

Taught by Synapse Teaching Artist Laura Tennal.

Register

 

Adult All Levels Yoga

Saturdays 10:30 - 11:30am.

$40 for a 10 week session.

Classes take place in the Berger Sun Room on the 1st floor.

Taught by Synapse Teaching Artist Laura Tennal.

Class is full

2045 N. Lincoln Park West, Chicago, IL 60614.

Classes take place in the Lincoln Dance Room on the 1st floor.

Classes take place in the Lincoln Dance Room on the 3rd and 1st floor -
see details below.

6205 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660, USA.

1230 W Greenleaf Ave, Chicago, IL 60626.

Classes take place in the Sky Room on the 2nd floor.

click here for full access info

click here for full access info

click here for full access info

Beginning Ballet for 4 to 7 years

Mondays 4:15pm-5:00pm.

$20 for an 10 week session.

Classes take place in the Sky Room on the 2nd floor.

Taught by Synapse Teaching Artist Lucas Greeff.

Class is full

Beginning Hip Hop for 4 to 7 years

Tuesdays 4:15pm-5:00pm.

$20 for an 10 week session.

Classes take place in the Sky Room on the 2nd floor.

Taught by Synapse Teaching Artist Vanessa Maxwell.

Class is full

Dance Level II and Performance Workshop

for 6 to 12 years

Tuesdays 5:00pm-6:00pm.

FREE for an 10 week session, instructor approval required to register.

Classes take place in the Sky Room on the 2nd floor.

Taught by Synapse Teaching Artist Vanessa Maxwell.

Register in person at Loyola Park

Trans Dance Connect

Adult Modern: Trans Dance Connect (Allies welcome)

with Reign Drop

SCHEDULE TBD

Berger Park, 6205 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660

 

Designed to create space for transgender dancers and their allies, Trans Dance Connect is a modern dance class designed for beginners and those returning to dance after some time off. Our main objective is to come together, everything else is low stakes, high reward. Join us for some spirals, floorwork, movement combinations, and improvisation!

REGISTER

more information about classes

Beginning Ballet (all classes): this beginner level activity is an introduction to ballet. Instruction includes the five positions, floor and barre work as well as basic dance combinations. This class introduces students to music and movement with a structured progression.

Dress code: We ask that students have their hair off their face and wear clothing they can move safely in. Leotard/tights or athletic shorts/shirt and ballet shoes are preferred; leggings and socks are also acceptable.

Beginning Hip Hop Dance (4 - 7 years): learn current Hip Hop dances and develop techniques to choreograph one's own freestyle. This energetic class incorporates music, dance and more.

Dress code: Students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing that allows movement; Soft-soled shoes are recommended.

Dance Level II and Performance Workshop: Participants in this program will learn dance technique in addition to preparing dance pieces for public performance. Hip Hop, contemporary, and modern dance styles will be utilized in creating performance pieces. The class is intended for students with prior dance experience and consists of 45 minutes of Level II hip hop technique and 15 minutes of preparing a dance for performance.

The program is free but requires instructor approval to join. Please contact megan@synapsearts.com for more information about how to register.

Dress code: Students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing that allows movement; Soft-soled shoes are recommended.

Adult All Levels Yoga: this class works to lengthen, strengthen and stretch the body while clearing the mind. Reduce stress while improving strength and flexibility through visualization, focused breathing, and yoga postures with modifications for all levels.

Notes: Please bring a mat and wear comfortable, loose-fitting attire.

Programs

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