About New Dances
“The 10th Anniversary of Thodos Dance Chicago's New Dances choreography project is a reflection of our growth as a dance company that teaches, choreographs, and performs,” said Founder and Artistic Director Melissa Thodos. “Our New Dances choreography project embodies the dance creation component of the Company’s mission, enabling talented dance artists to express their own choreographic visions.” Thodos Dance Chicago’s New Dances project is unique in Contemporary Dance in America and has enabled more than fifty Chicago-based choreographers to develop their skills, create new work, and have it performed in a professional concert environment.
About Stephanie Martinez Bennitt
STEPHANIE MARTINEZ BENNITT has performed with numerous Chicago-based ensembles. These have included Luna Negra Dance Theater, Same Planet Different World, River North Chicago Dance Company, James Kelly Choreography Project, and Concert Dance Inc. She was also a featured dancer for Diana Ross’s appearance in the 2006 World Cup Opening Ceremonies. Stephanie has extensive experience in major industrial and trade shows, and she has made several appearances on PBS and MTV. She is a former Ruth Page Award winner and has studied on scholarship with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, and Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater. She has also been a principle dancer with the Lyric Opera of Chicago in productions of Manon and The Merry Widow. Currently, Stephanie choreographs works for dance companies locally and around the country.
About Francisco Avina
FRANCISCO AVINA’s training started at Orange County High School of the Performing Arts and continued at The Ailey School. He worked as a dancer in such projects as: Celine Dion's A New Day, Newsies, Batman and Robin, Michael Jackson’s Sisterella, Fame L.A. the TV series,The World Billboard Music Awards, and numerous industrials for corporations including Adidas, Canon, Nike, Reebok, Asics, Nintendo and Aveda.
Since moving to Chicago Francisco has performed with Hubbard Street 2, River North Chicago Dance Company, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. His choreography credits include Gianni Versace fashion show in Singapore, 10th Annual American Choreography Awards in Los Angeles, Nickelodeon’s Kid’s Choice Awards with Justin Timberlake, and three pieces for Hubbard Street 2, one of which won a national choreography competition. In Mexico City he choreographed Disney’s High School Musical La Seleccion which led to Disney’s High School Musical Mexico-The Movie. He completed the first piece set on Danceworks Chicago entitled Track 4 under the artistic direction of Julie Nakagawa. Francisco collaborated with Stephanie Martinez for the first time for Luna Negra Dance Theater’s 10th anniversary where they created AviMar. Francisco is happy to be a part of Thodos Dance Chicago’s New Dances 2010, and even more so to be collaborating again with his dear friend.
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