Columbia College Chicago

01/14/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/15/2025 03:28

The Dance Center Presents the Chicago Solo Spotlight Festival, March 13-15

The Dance Center Presents the Chicago Solo Spotlight Festival, March 13-15

The Dance Center's Chicago Solo Spotlight Festival highlights the art of solo performance, featuring two world premieres by renowned Chicago-based artists Jenn Freeman | Po'Chop (left) and Nora Sharp.
The festival celebrates the power of the solo performance with two world premieres by acclaimed Chicago-based artists Jenn Freeman | Po'Chop and Nora Sharp.

The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago is proud to present the Chicago Solo Spotlight Festival, running March 13-15, 2025. This festival celebrates the power of the solo performance with two world premieres by acclaimed Chicago-based artists Jenn Freeman | Po'Chop and Nora Sharp.

Part of the Dance Center's 51st season, this series delves into how the solo form is evolving within dance performance, spotlighting intimate and transformative stories told through movement, multimedia, and experimental artistry.

Exploring the Power of Solo Performance

"THICK: a crumbling freak show,"a new experimental solo by Jenn Freeman | Po'Chop, unpacks the concept of "otherness" through a multimedia exploration of femininity, disability, and civility. Drawing from Freeman's experiences in Chicago's nightlife and the legacies of Black women in entertainment, this performance challenges societal norms while celebrating resilience and agency.

"The idea of deconstructing the freak show has been simmering for several years," says Freeman. "Through movement, spoken word, sound, projections, and spacemaking, I'm uncovering what the history of Black women's bodies reveals about consent, commodification, and spectacle."

Freeman, a recipient of numerous awards including the 2022 United States Artists grant, is an interdisciplinary artist whose practice integrates storytelling, burlesque, drag, and dance.

Meanwhile, Nora Sharp's "Cosmic Docks" takes audiences on a trans-dimensional journey through queer identity and personal history. Inspired by sci-fi futurism, this performance examines questions about queer and trans existence, aiming to chart a pathway beyond legibility.

"Cosmic Docks is a trans tall-tale about orbiting the sources of yourself," Sharp explains. "It asks whether the answers to our identities lie in the past, the future, or somewhere in between."

Sharp, a 2024 Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artist, brings a unique blend of humor, storytelling, and movement to the stage. Their work has been presented across Chicago and nationally, earning acclaim for its emotional resonance and inventive approach.

Integrating Student Learning with Professional Practice

In conjunction with the festival, Columbia College Chicago students are exploring the art of solo performance through a semester-long course led by artist and educator Colleen Halloran. This initiative emphasizes the expressive possibilities of the solo form, empowering students to craft their own narratives while honing their creative voices.

Lisa Gonzales, Associate Professor and Faculty Advisor for the Dance Presenting Series, championed the Solo Performance Course due to the importance of solo works in today's artistic landscape. "Solos are powerful and intimate platforms that can counter isolation for both artists and audiences," adds Dance Presenting Series Artistic Director Meredith Sutton.

Performance Schedule
Thursday, March 13, 7:30 p.m.: "Cosmic Docks" by Nora Sharp
Friday, March 14, 7:30 p.m.: "THICK: a crumbling freak show"by Jenn Freeman | Po'Chop
Saturday, March 15, 1 p.m.: "Cosmic Docks" | 3:30 p.m.: "THICK"

Ticketing Information
Festival Pass: $50
Single Tickets: $30 (general public), $10 (non-Columbia students), free for Columbia students
More information: Dance Center Event Page.