DEEPLY ROOTED DANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS RETURN

DEEPLY ROOTED DANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS RETURN

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater announces the appointment of Kelli David-Low as Dance Education Director, a development that is facilitating the return of several training programs and community-based program offerings.

Kelli David-Low, a Chicago native, was program manager of the Mayfair Arts Center from 2022 through 2024. She spent 15 years performing, touring, and teaching with Joel Hall Dancers, Ascension/The Kirby Reed Project, Dallas Black Dance Theater, Instruments of Movement, and Disney’s The Lion King. She earned a B.A. in English with a minor in performance dance from Illinois State University. She also has a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace certificate from University of South Florida Muma College of Business.

“I’m excited to join Deeply Rooted Dance Theater and eager to contribute to and build on the organization's established excellence,” David-Low said.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kelli to Deeply Rooted,” said Artistic Director Nicole Clarke-Springer. “We are confident that her ideas and direction will bring new energy to our multifaceted Dance Education programs.”

With David-Low in place, Deeply Rooted is offering the following training opportunities at Ballet Chicago, 17 North State Street, Chicago:

Youth Ensemble, a program for students ages 12–18 providing technical training in ballet, modern, and African-based techniques and repertory workshops led by Deeply Rooted artistic staff, company members, and guest artists. Participants have performance opportunities in the community and the culminating Dance Education Showcase in May 2025. A schedule and registration are available at deeplyrooteddancetheater.org/youth-ensemble.

Emerging Artists Ensemble, a program for pre-professional-level dancers (18 and older) providing technical training in ballet, modern, African-based techniques, and repertory workshops led by Deeply Rooted artistic staff, company members, and guest artists, with the goal of enhancing technical proficiency, dramatic range, and improvisational ability. Participants have performance opportunities in the community and the culminating Dance Education Showcase in May 2025. A schedule and registration are available at deeplyrooteddancetheater.org/eae.

Deeply Rooted’s community-based programs, Mature H.O.T. Women and Men Moving, are returning to Ballet Chicago, 17 North State Street, in addition to ongoing sessions at the Mayfair Arts Center, 8701 S. Bennett Avenue, Chicago. Mature H.O.T Women is for women who are Health-conscious, Optimistic, and Triumphant; Men Moving is for men seeking a healthy, generative, and supportive movement environment. Both programs provide technical training and repertory workshops to strengthen the body, challenge the mind, and nourish the spirit through modern and African dance techniques. Participants have the option to perform in the Dance Education Showcase in May 2025. A schedule and registration are available at deeplyrooteddancetheater.org/mhw-mm.

All programming is subject to change.

For information, visit deeplyrooteddancetheater.org.

Premiering in 1996, 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. Through its uncompromising pursuit of excellence, Deeply Rooted demonstrates the transformative power of art and beauty through performance, dance education, and cultural enrichment in Chicago and on the world stage. Deeply Rooted is rooted in traditions of American and African-American dance, storytelling, and universal themes that spark a visceral experience and ignite an emotional response in diverse audiences worldwide. Deeply Rooted collaborates with nationally renowned choreographers, across the spectrum of modern, ballet, and African dance, to reflect contemporary voices. For information, visit deeplyrooteddancetheater.org.

Deeply Rooted’s programs are partially sponsored or supported by Allstate, Alphawood Foundation Chicago, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Arts Work Fund Thrive Grant of the Chicago Community Trust, Builder’s Initiative Foundation, Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project funded by Doris Duke Charitable Fund and The Mellon Foundation and The Walder Foundation, Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks Program, Chicago’s Cultural Treasures, CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Crown Family Philanthropies, Pamela Crutchfield, The Field Foundation of Illinois, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Ginger Farley Charitable Fund at the Chicago Community Foundation, Illinois Arts Council Agency, The International Association of Blacks in Dance, Irving Harris Foundation, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, The Polk Bros. Foundation, The Reva and David Logan Foundation, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, U.S. Bank, Walder Foundation, Wayfarer Foundation, The Weasel Fund, and Deeply Rooted Family of Friends.

Special thanks to the following for their partnership and support: Auditorium Theatre, Ballet Chicago, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Chicago Park District, Maywood Fine Arts, Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, St. Benedict the African Church, and University of Chicago Community Accelerator Program. Special thanks to the following for their partnership and support: Auditorium Theatre, Ballet Chicago, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Chicago Park District, Maywood Fine Arts, Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, St. Benedict the African Church, and University of Chicago Community Accelerator Program.

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