Melissa Thodos has been described by critics as “a choreographer with a bright and lively imagination.”  The Chicago Sun-Times wrote: “Thodos displays a fine musicality and elegant lyricism; there is a sort of New Age mysticism about much of her work.  Everything is fluid, and she is able to create beautiful stage pictures in which lots of things are going on simultaneously. She is a skillful and eclectic choreographer with a talent for creating a well-defined mood and interesting group patterns.  She also pays considerable attention to elements of design.” 

Or, as Tony award-winning Broadway legend Ann Reinking put it, “she has this way of moving, of approaching dance that is informed by history, based on her personal experience, and totally unique.  Wherever she puts her energy, she does so with grace and talent.”

These are just examples of the accolades Thodos has received as a performer, choreographer and director over a span of 20 years.   In 1992, Thodos founded Melissa Thodos & Dancers (later renamed Thodos Dance Chicago), and has developed it into one of Chicago’s most innovative and top performing companies. The environment Melissa has created also serves as an incubator for its artists as choreographers and as teachers. Ensemble members are invited to join Thodos Dance Chicago based on an audition and an in-depth evaluation of their achievement as performers, educators and choreographers. The Company holds a very unique position in the national community of dance for this very reason. The company’s fresh, athletic, award-winning style has been well received by critics worldwide: British Herald - “Serene athleticism...every aspect of the choreography is truly satisfying”; Chicago Reader - “The Company’s repertoire is so rich…the dancers are superb.” The Chicago Sun-Times - “strong and attractive...engaging... lovely...they perform with solid strength and feeling.”  Thodos Dance Chicago clearly serves as a platform for over 30 acclaimed works that Melissa Thodos has created over her career. Of her work, artistic director emeritus Gerald Arpino of the Joffrey Ballet writes “highly innovative and technically strong.”  Melissa created in collaboration with Fulcrumpoint New Music Project under the artistic direction of Stephen Burns, and premiered “Eastwind” at the Harris Theater in May 2006. The work was performed by Thodos Dance Chicago and set to music composed by Pulitzer Prize winner Shulamit Ran and performed by flautist Mary Stolper. In November 2006, Melissa choreographed a work for Thodos Dance Chicago in collaboration with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, set to Igor Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale,” and recently completed “Cascade” set to the music of Jeux d’eau by Maurice Ravel for the Ruth Page Festival of Dance at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival.

An honored veteran of the Chicago dance community, Thodos, born in Evanston, received early dance training at the Evanston School of Ballet.  She continued her study of both classical and contemporary technique at Skidmore College in Saratoga, New York, and then the Ruth Page Dance School, the Dance Center of Columbia College and the Lou Conte Dance Studio, all in Chicago.

Thodos founded Thodos Dance Chicago following years of success as both a performer and choreographer with The Chicago Repertory Dance Ensemble on the local, national and international contemporary dance circuits, performing her own work as well as works by Paul Taylor, Lar Lubovitch, Zeva Cohen, and very established Chicago based artists.  Since then the Company, with its unique mission to perform, create and educate, has gained its own acclaim and has been invited to perform in some of the most prestigious dance showcases and venues throughout Chicago, and the world.  Thodos’ work has been presented in venues coast to coast in America; in Paris on numerous occasions; Edinburgh, Scotland; Australia; and in Turkey for two festivals, at the International Ankara Music and Dance Festival and Istanbul Dance Festival.  Thodos Dance Chicago repertoire consists of works by Melissa Thodos and selected works of ensemble members, as well as those of acclaimed guest choreographers Ann Reinking, Lar Lubovitch, Shapiro & Smith, and Amy Ernst, formerly of the Lewitzky Company.

Thodos has been the recipient of numerous awards and grants for her work including Illinois Arts Council Fellowships; Ruth Page Award nominations; a Chicago Dance Achievement Award nomination and an award from the State of Illinois as a Greek American for nurturing and training dancers and choreographers in Chicago. Melissa currently serves on the Illinois Arts Council Dance Advisory Panel.  One of her signature works, “Reaching There”, won her international acclaim in Paris in 1988 at the Internationale Dance de Paris.  In 1998, Thodos was featured in Today’s Chicago Woman as one of Chicago’s “100 Women in Chicago Making a Difference,” and was voted one of Chicago’s “top ten hidden talents” by the Chicago Tribune. Melissa was one of nine finalists selected nationally for the “Women of Worth” award in New York City.

Through her company, Thodos participates in community outreach programs, bringing dance to inner-city and suburban school children.  She has set more than 20 works on high school and university dance companies.  Thodos is a resident faculty member of The Broadway Theater Project, under the artistic direction of Debra McWalters and co-founded with Ann Reinking, where she teaches master classes and choreographs alongside such noted artists as Ben Vereen, Desmond Richardson, Charlotte d’Amboise, John Kander, Chita Rivera, and Jeff Calhoun, among others.