Culture Shock Chicago (Chicago, IL)
www.cultureshockdance.org/chicago/

Culture Shock � Chicago is dedicated to innovative performance, artist development and community enrichment, revealing the power and beauty of hip hop to diverse audiences. The company performs and tours throughout Illinois, the United States and Canada under the direction of artistic director, Christopher Courtney. Culture Shock Chicago has a unique fingerprint in the arts community. Through their distinct take on hip hop culture and dance and their ability to make it universally accessible, they appeal to a wide spectrum, crossing all audience boundaries. Their audiences are as diverse as their company; all ages, income levels, genders, races and sexual orientation. Hip hop is a universal culture and this provides the company cross-over appeal to all audiences.

Culture Shock Chicago is a highly sought-after company who performs for over 25,000 audience members annually, both physically and virtually in premier venues and events including the Annual Choreographer’s Showcase, Dance Chicago, Pillsbury product launch with gospel recording artists “Mary Mary”, Lollapalooza with Adidas, Six Flags Great America with Coca Cola, the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade, and Nike and First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign launch.

Education and outreach are cornerstones of Culture Shock Chicago and the company provides lecture demonstrations, workshops and master classes, both individually and in conjunction with performances. Culture Shock Chicago is a D.E.A (Drug Education Administration) partner and provides dance instruction to schools in underserved neighborhoods and communities.

Culture Shock Chicago takes a fresh approach to hip hop dance, taking their roots from the streets and mixing them with theatrical production. The company creates works with elaborate props and staging, unique costuming and distinct musical choices. As a company, they choose to elevate hip hop dance to a higher level and are forging their own path by bringing their unique style into the concert dance world.

“Thank you so much for sending us such fun, engaging and talented performers. The performance and engagement was just perfect. So many people, staff and students, had great reactions and comments.“ - Lindsay Leghorn, Roosevelt Faculty

Touring Programs

Tours with 12-16 dancers

“Radiance”

“Radiance” is Culture Shock Chicago’s newest touring piece that takes the concept of embodying every color in the spectrum, ultimately creating an open view of urban diversity in Chicago. When the dancers glow under the black light, there is no color or race to be seen. Illuminated, there is no identifying way of judging typical societal labels of race, sexuality, sometimes even gender. From an urban and street point of view, “Radiance” puts a twist on the images the audience sees. It takes the photographic negative of a social negative to radiate all imperfections and perfections onto the stage; making every color of the spectrum visible and personifying humanity. This visually stunning show will have audiences captivated and runs approximately 60 minutes.

Outreach, Residencies, and Master Classes

Culture Shock Chicago has always fostered arts education and lifelong learning. Our Hip Hop instruction is supplementary to our performances and offers the opportunity for personal self expression and movement within the genre's many forms. Our residencies programs are designed to use art and movement as an outlet to express oneself in a positive manner. We teach the positive and empowering elements of hip hop to produce the next generation of great leaders. Culture Shock Chicago's Master Classes can be tailored to fit beginner through advanced dancers, K through University levels, as well as family and group events. 

Performances:

Upcoming Touring:
St. Rita Festival – Racine, WI
National Choreographer’s Showcase – Oakland, CA
Dance Chicago Festival – Chicago, IL
Brighton Park Elementary – Chicago, IL
Michael Faraday Elemetary – Chicago, IL
Woodland Middle School – Gurnee, IL
Abbott Middle School – Elgin, IL
Thomas Edison Primary – Kankakee, IL

Recent/Past Touring:
National Choreographer’s Showcase – Washington, D.C, Los Angeles, San Diego, Ontario-Canada
Athenaeum Theater – Chicago, IL
Ruth Page Theater – Chicago, IL
Move Concert – Libertyville, IL