Tap Dancers are equal parts musician and dancer, and yet most teachers focus only on tap as a movement art. Students will spend five days digging deep into Tap Dance with CTT Artistic Director Mark Yonally, Rehearsal Director Molly Smith, and Artistic Associate Sterling Harris and expand their knowledge and skills in the areas of choreography creation, jazz music & history, improvisation & soloist skills, tap technique & vocabulary, tap history & historical repertoire. Each day, students will participate in technique classes with their level before enjoying a combined lunch/lecture period on topics relevant to Tap Dancers. The intensive will culminate in an opportunity for students to share what they've learned throughout the week with their peers and families.

Intermediate track will be Mon/Fri 10am-2:30pm, Wed 10am-2pm & Tues/Thurs 1pm-5pm
Advanced track will be Mon 1pm-5:30pm, Wed 1-5pm, Fri 12-5pm & Tues/Thurs 10am-2pm

That's over 20 hours of classes for each level! Plus, additional events (including a tap jam Tuesday evening!) have been added to engage students in a relaxed, social setting to meet other students and share the skills they've learned during the intensive.

Classes will take place in the beautiful Studio 3 of Visceral Dance Center, with sprung wood floors. Recommended ages 10+. Teachers attend free with three students. Class size is limited—register today!

Feedback & Performance Opportunity

Interested in getting more individualized feedback about your solo, duet/trio, or your own choreography you're working on? Add the “Professional Feedback & Performance Opportunity” add-on at checkout! Dancers will get personalized feedback from our intensive faculty designed to build them up and boost progress on their tap dance journey. Submit a dance video and get feedback before the intensive, then get the opportunity to show off your growth during the intensive showcase at the end of the week by performing the piece you submitted for faculty, fellow students, and families! Purchase & submit your video by May 1st! 

Submit a video of your dancing (competition solo video, a video of your choreography, whatever you'd like to show us!) to [email protected] by May 1st (early bird deadline) or by June 19th at the very latest, and receive personalized feedback from industry professionals Mark, Sterling, and Molly! Then, during the CTT intensive, show off your progress and put that feedback into action at our in-studio showcase on Friday, a culminating event of the week that allows you to shine in front of fellow students, intensive faculty & staff, and your parents/family.

Emailed video submissions should be vimeo links (please include password if applicable), dropbox links, or youtube links (make sure the link visibility is public or unlisted, not private). Contact Molly [email protected] with questions.

Mark, Molly, and Sterling have over 50 years of combined experience as professional dancers, choreographers, and judges, and they can't wait to share their feedback with you to help you grow as artists and prepare for a career in the Tap Dance industry. 

Intensive Schedule: 

Monday, July 7th

10am-2pm Intermediate classes

1-2:30pm Combined levels lunch lecture

1-5:30pm Advanced classes

5:45-7:45pm Pizza party (finalized location coming soon)! Dinner available for purchase just down the road from Visceral. Get to know your fellow intensive attendees and enjoy tap community! 

Tuesday, July 8th

10am-2pm Advanced classes

1-2pm Combined levels lunch lecture

1-5pm Intermediate classes

6-8pm Tap Jam at Jarvis Square (1508 W Jarvis). Dinner available for purchase with special discounts just for our intensive families at R Public House. Sit outside, weather permitting, and enjoy dinner, while your dancer gets experience improvising with a live jazz band in a casual and supportive performance setting. The tap jam is the epitome of tap culture; be sure to come on out! Students will be instructed in how to work with a live band and will hone their improvisational skills in class before this event (no stress if it's your first experience with either or both of these things; the CTT team will be there to guide you and cheer you on!). Some CTT company members will also be at the jam!

Wednesday, July 9th

10am-2pm Intermediate classes

1-2pm Combined levels lunch lecture

1-5pm Advanced classes

5-8pm Option to take Mark's weekly adult classes at Visceral. Register in-person at the front desk or https://www.visceraldance.com/adultprogram (5-6pm CTT Company Class, 6-7pm Improv All Levels, 7-8pm Intermediate)

Thursday, July 10th

10am-2pm Advanced classes

1-2pm Combined levels lunch lecture

1-5pm Intermediate classes

7pm Broadway in Chicago presents Beauty in the Beast at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in downtown Chicago! This is a great opportunity to see a professional show for a discounted group ticket price! You must purchase tickets in the “Add-On” page of check out while registering for the intensive (families are welcome to join us!). Email Jen at [email protected] if you'd like to purchase tickets to the show after registering for the intensive. 

More details about the show: https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/shows/beauty25/ 

Friday, July 11th

10am-2:30pm Intermediate classes

12-1pm Showcase-BOTH LEVELS INT & ADV! Families invited to watch students show off what they learned, & students who participated in our add-on “Professional Feedback & Performance Opportunity” get to show off their piece's growth by performing it for the group! 

1-2:30pm Combined levels lunch lecture

12-5pm Advanced classes

Chicago Tap Theatre's teaching philosophy:

Chicago Tap Theatre believes that every student is an individual and celebrates growth and commitment to the Black art form of tap dance no matter the level, ability, gender, race, sexual orientation, or age of the student. The objectives of Chicago Tap Theatre’s educational programming are:

• Student will leave with a better understanding of tap dance and its technique, theory & history
• Student will have an expanded view of what it means to be a tap dancer: what do we need to understand to truly get it: music literacy, improvisation, technique, theory, history, culture
• Student will have an understanding of music and specifically jazz music structure and terminology
• Student will develop an understanding of where tap dance is going and the state of the current industry standards and culture

FAQ: 

• What level should I sign up for?
  • If you are unsure of the level you should sign up for, we recommend signing up for the intermediate level. On the first day, if you find this too easy, stay for the advanced level and we will update your registration to advanced for the remainder of the intensive. Taking both levels is encouraged!
• What if I am in between levels?
  • Taking both levels is encouraged! Mastering the intermediate level will give you confidence and precision and taking the advanced level will push you to challenge yourself to learn brand new steps and ideas to take home with you!
• I'm an adult. Will I be in a classroom full of kids?
  • The age range of the intensive has varied wildly between ages 10-60!  While the majority of the students are ages 10-17, our instructors are experienced in engaging all age levels in a positive and empathetic environment.  If you are unsure, try the first day and get a refund for the remaining days if you are unsatisfied.
• Is there an early bird discount?
  • Yes! Register by May 1st to receive $50 off your registration
• Is there a group discount?
  • Yes!  Inquire about a discount for groups of 5 or more.  Email Jen, [email protected]
• I was awarded a scholarship at a competition.  How do I redeem this?
  • Congrats! See the instructions on your certificate (promo code and certificate number), and email [email protected] with questions.
• Is the intensive accessible to myself/my child if I am currently experiencing economic challenges?
  • Yes!  Chicago Tap Theatre believes that all people should have access to the joy of tap dance regardless of financial limitations.  Email Jen, [email protected], to set up a pay-what-you-can structure or inquire about a need based scholarship.
• I am coming from out of town.  Where should I stay?
  • Visceral Dance Center is located in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood. In the past, students have primarily stayed in the Lakeview neighborhood, along Belmont Ave. This is a great area to eat, drink, and shop on your time off.  The studio is easily accessible via bus along that route or ride share.
• Is there parking?
  • Yes! Although the Visceral parking lot is staff-only, free street parking is available surrounding the studio.
• Who can I contact if I have more questions?
  • Our Director of Operations and Intensive Faculty Member, Molly! [email protected]

Chicago Tap Theatre's mission is to share the creativity, history, and joy of tap dance.

https://chicagotaptheatre.com/ 

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