Nutcracker 2012

We love our Nutcracker!  Preparing for our main performances at Northside College Prep Dec. 8th and 9th 2012, today's rehearsals included Trepak and the grand pas de deux.  Here Miss Katie Steffenhagen, PAL faculty member, and dancer with Elements Contemporary Ballet, leads the pas de deux rehearsal.

Rogers Park Community Foodies

Rogers Park has so many culinary delicacies. Would you like a tasting of the many offerings? Like this post on FB for an evening of indulgence. More info and date TBA...

Who are the Community Members?

Who are the Community Members-

You are! 

PAL is fortunate to be located in one of the most diverse communities in Chicago.   Rogers Park has been coined as a neighborhood consisting of 1/3, 1/3, 1/3.  Serving all walks of life, our diversity brings us strength as a greater community.  

At PAL, a community is formed by many diverse members in the shared goal of music and dance.  United, we are one.   

Whatever ties you into your own community, you are a member of the community at large.  In the PAL community, all are valued and are welcomed!

Tomorrow- “How Can You be Involved in the Community”   

PAL Teacher of the Week- Week Two

Tiffany Lawson received her B.F.A. in Acting and Dance from Millikin University. Other training includes: The Louisville Ballet, University of Louisville Dance Theatre, Governor's School for the Arts and Walden Theatre. Tiffany has participated in master classes all over the U.S.; including the Southeast Regional Ballet Festival and Regional Dance America festival. Professional credits include: Prairie Fire Theatre, favorite roles include: Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland and Aunt Polly in Tom Sawyer. Alphabet Soup Productions, Sheil Park Theatre, Ground Up Theatre and many other store front Chicago theatres. Tiffany has taught ballet, jazz, modern, latin, pilates, tai chi and creative movement all over the United States and in the Dominican Republic. In the Chicago area Tiffany has taught for Talent Forum, Buffalo Grove Dance and T.V.I. Actor's Studio. Tiffany's choreography has premiered in festivals through the Chicago area, including: Solestance and Collaborations Festivals--held at Ruth Page Dance Center, Vittum Theatre and Bailiwick Theatre. Tiffany also has choreographed for Ground Up Theatre, Purple Bench Productions and 365 plays in 365 days (a nationwide performance collaboration with playwright Susan Lorie Parks.)  Currently Tiffany is a company member and ballet mistress for Renegade Dance Architects, dancing with Miss Christine and Miss Megan.   Tiffany is thrilled to be joining PAL’s family, and as a very good friend of Miss Shawn, excited to continue her legacy.  

What Makes a Community?

This is the first in a series of daily topics which we at Performing Arts Limited (PAL) can share as an arts community and group.  We value each other and each others’ experience, so why not share it?  We would like to vary the topics of our posts from week to week.  Some weeks may be about dance choreography, or how to best practice and rehearse at home.  Some topics may be written by guest bloggers, such as our dance and music faculty, and some, like our first, about the community.  

Home.  Community.  What makes up a community?

Community is defined by Wikipedia as:

1)Community usually refers to a social unit larger than a small village that shares common values.  The term can also refer to the national community or international community, and 

2) in biology, a community is a group of interacting living organisms sharing a populated environment.  A community is a group or society, helping each other.  

In Rogers Park, many separate communities and cultures unite to create a larger community.  

How does this relate to PAL and the dance and music community?

While historically, dance and music has been separated between cultures, as a PAL community we unite through the study of dance and music.  Through experiencing others’ cultural treasures, we learn to respect what we do not know.  

When the diverse members of the Rogers Park and surrounding community meet, one goal of the PAL community has been met.   

Tomorrow- "Who are the Community Members"

Performing Arts Limited dances with Rogers School

Today PAL was rockin' it at Rogers!  Miss Katie got to watch the Rogers Elementary School students get their groove on today.  Generously funded by Donna's Good Things, Performing Arts Limited (PAL) will provide dance instruction to every grade for the entire year!

Miss Christine from Performing Arts Limited gets the 1st graders moving!

Rogers Park Nutcracker

As Fall begins, the Snowflakes fall.   Performing Arts Limited (PAL)  is excitedly immersed in rehearsals for its 6th annual Nutcracker production. Bringing together dancers from PAL, the immediate community, and dancers from the greater Chicagoland area, we work together to bring you a holiday tradition of cheer, "The Nutcracker."  

Save the date to entertain your family in the adventures of Clara with her beloved Nutcracker.  December 8th and 9th, shows will be held at 2:00 pm at Northside College Prep.   Sweeten your day with our Nutcracker Tea.  One day only (Dec. 9th, 1:00 pm), you can enjoy a high tea with your family and meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara and her friends, and more.  

Meet your PAL teachers-

KATIE STEFFENHAGEN (MANITOWOC, WIS) began her dance training with Jean Wolfmeyer School of Dance at the age of 5. In 2003 she graduated from Virginia School of the Arts in Lynchburg, Virginia under the direction of Petrus Bosman. She then went on to dance with Ballet West in Salt Lake City, Utah and attended the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, New York. In 2007-2009 she danced for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines performing choreography of Sherry Zunker, Jeremy Plummer, Frank Chaves, Laura Dunlop, and Harrison McEldowney. In 2009 she began working with C5 under the direction of Jeremy Plummer. Katie is currently dancing with Elements Contemporary Ballet under the direction of Mike Gosney. Katie is very excited about this upcoming season at PAL, and is looking forward to offering many exciting opportunities for the dancers.  

Fall Classes Have Just Begun

FOR THE JOY AND LOVE OF THE ARTS!

Entering its 13th Season serving the community, PAL and Miss Katie are looking forward to a great year!  Classes are offered Monday - Thursday and Saturday and Sunday.  All classes are taught by music and dance professionals, encouraging students to fulfill their individual potential.  Classes have just begun and we are accepting new registrations.  Reception hours are Monday - Thursday 4:00-7:00 and Saturdays and Sundays 9:30-3:00.  

Having a particularly busy schedule this year?  We offer back to back and simultaneous classes for many age groups.  We also offer sibling and multiple class discounts!

Whether looking for ballet classes, private music lessons, or Sunday classes, we have many options available for you and your family.