CHICAGO - Co-Founders Andreas Böttcher, Pam Crutchfield, Debbie Kristofek, and Julie Nakagawa announce the formation of their innovative, new dance organization, DanceWorks Chicago. A values-based organization, DanceWorks Chicago is dedicated to being a good dance citizen and community leader, providing a laboratory from which early career artists propel themselves and the art form to a new level through training, collaboration, mentorship, and performance.

“It’s so satisfying to see a new generation of innovative artists moving forward with the creation of DanceWorks Chicago. I think their vision is truly unique, and I’m looking forward to seeing what this new phase of their creativity will bring,” said Lou Conte, Founder, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

At DanceWorks Chicago the process is the product. According to Artistic Director, Julie Nakagawa, “DanceWorks Chicago will broaden the reach of dance to foster a spirit of collaboration and cooperation among artists that will allow them to fully engage in the work of art.”

Andreas Böttcher, Chief Executive Officer, brings more than a decade of arts management experience as former Managing Director of Hubbard Street 2 and Director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Education & Community Programs. An active member of the dance community, Pam Crutchfield, Board of Directors, has underwritten the creation of new choreography and serves on the boards for numerous arts organizations. Award-winning teaching artist, Debbie Kristofek, Executive Director, has vast arts experience which took her from working with Mr. Böttcher as Program Manager for Education & Community Programs to the Kennedy Center and includes work on special projects as Director of Development and Planning for Wellington Consulting Group, Ltd. Julie Nakagawa, Artistic Director, is a sought-after teacher and was part of the leadership of the Lou Conte Dance Studio as Associate Director along with being the Founding Artistic Director of Hubbard Street 2.

For more information, please call Debbie Kristofek, Exec. Dir., DanceWorks Chicago, 312-334-3718

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