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TDC NEWSLETTER: Performance. Creation. Education
From Melissa | Empower Artists Gala | Honoring Ann: A Light in the Dark |
DePaul University: "Discover Chicago"
From the Founder & Artistic Director, Melissa Thodos
“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” 

-Helen Keller 

As the leaves turn and autumn passes, it gives us an opportunity to remember those who we have lost. In the case of Thodos Dance Chicago, we continue to mourn the loss of Ann Reinking. I recently joined many of her esteemed friends and colleagues in New York City at the Empower Artists Gala. This event was to honor Ann’s true brilliance and legacy, and support our next generation of dance artistry through the awarding of the first Ann Reinking Scholarship and I was honored to participate on the committee to select the first recipient. I invite you to read on as we share many beautiful facets of the evening with you, our valued audience. 

Autumn can also signify new beginnings, and with students going back to school I returned to DePaul University to participate in a course that teaches students about Chicago through the medium of dance. My collaboration with Ann, “The White City: Chicago’s Columbian Exposition of 1893” was the focus of the class.
Empower Artists Gala
Melissa Thodos is honored to serve on the advisory board of the Ann Reinking scholarship program and attended the Empower Artists Gala on November 8th in New York City. It was there that very first scholarship was awarded to a young dancer moving to NYC possessing exceptional talent and passion. The mission of the scholarship is to help set this young artist up for success by providing monetary support, mentorship, and a community and home base to help lay the foundation and framework for this budding and talented artist's career.

The attending advisory board members including Jenn Donohoo, Vice-President Off The Lane, Mindy Cooper, Caitlin Carter, Marilu Henner , Gregory Butler, Joel Grey, Melissa Thodos, Gary Chryst, and Dylis Cromon
Photo: Jeremy Daniel

CLICK HERE to enjoy the the full Empower Artists 2021 Gala
Melissa Thodos with Ann Reinking scholarship recipient Vivianna DeSantiago. CLICK HERE to learn more about Vivianna!
CLICK HERE for more about The Ann Reinking Scholarship
CLICK HERE to donate to The Ann Reinking Scholarship program
Limited Edition "Annie's Joy" candle. 75% of the proceeds will go towards the Ann Reinking Scholarship Program
Photo: Jeremy Daniel

CLICK HERE to purchase the "Annie's Joy" candle in support of the scholarship program
Honoring Ann Reinking: A Light in the Dark
Named one of the top ten dance events of 2013 by the Chicago Sun Times and nominated for an Emmy Award in film, "A Light in the Dark: the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan" created by Melissa Thodos and Ann Reinking, tells the intimate family story of Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan revealing how Anne led Helen from a state of almost feral wildness into a life of education, activism and intellectual celebrity. An original score was created exclusively for this work by renowned composer Bruce Wolosoff.
CLICK HERE to view excerpts of the critically acclaimed “A Light In The Dark” created by Ann Reinking and Melissa Thodos


WORLD PREMIERE February 16th, 2013

A Light in the Dark: the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan
Choreography: Ann Reinking and Melissa Thodos
Music: An original score by Bruce Wolosoff
Lighting Design: Nathan Tomlinson
Costumes: Nathan Rohrer
Featured Dancers: Alissa Tollefson, Jessica Miller Tomlinson, Jon Sloven, Brian Hare
Film Design and Production: Chris Olsen- Kai Harding, Inc
Photos: Todd Rosenberg for Cheryl Mann Photography
DePaul University: "Discover Chicago"
Melissa has been honored to annually visit professor Lin Kahn’s “Discover Chicago” course for over a decade at DePaul University 
 
“It is wonderful to dive deep into a part of Chicago’s history through dance with students who viewed Thodos Dance Chicago’s “White City: the Columbian Exposition of 1893” created in collaboration with Ann Reinking, where we together as a class discuss the work’s development, process, historic relevance, and much more!"
– Melissa Thodos
Thodos Dance Chicago was founded in 1992, by Melissa Thodos, a choreographer, educator and performer for over 30 years. Our mission is to engage and enrich the community through dance creation, advocacy, education, and mentorship.
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