Something new will take shape on stage this spring, as dancers bring movement to choreography no audience has seen before.
The Chicago Repertory Ballet returns to the Beverly Arts Center in May with a program that blends two world premieres with a revival of The Rite of Spring, set to music by Igor Stravinsky.
For the company, the performance continues a mission it has carried since its founding in 2011: creating space for new work. This year’s premieres include a piece by artistic director Wade Schaaf and another by Miami-based choreographer Yanis Eric Pikieris, whose style draws from both classical and contemporary ballet traditions.
The program also revisits The Rite of Spring, a ballet that has remained a powerful force in dance since its 1913 debut. Known for its intensity and its exploration of ritual and sacrifice, the piece still resonates with modern audiences more than a century later.
The upcoming show marks the company’s second appearance at the Beverly Arts Center, following a 2024 performance there.
For the center’s artistic director, the collaboration carries added meaning beyond the stage. Matt McKinney has a personal connection to the company through his wife, Miriam-Rose LeDuc, who has danced with Chicago Repertory Ballet for a decade. McKinney has also contributed music to past productions under the stage name Matty Mattsson.
“It’s really cool when you have world premieres anywhere because it’s the first time you’re seeing this work,” McKinney said. “To choose our stage makes it even more special.”
The performance also reflects a broader effort to bring dance back into focus at the Beverly Arts Center, reconnecting with an original vision of the venue as a place where dance companies could regularly perform.
This year’s production will feature eight company dancers, along with three apprentices and a guest performer. Months of preparation go into each performance, highlighting the level of discipline and commitment required behind the scenes.
The performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. Tickets are $35 for non-members and $32 for members and can be purchased through the center’s website.