Chicago Movement Collective

05/11/2026

SCHOLARSHIP SUNDAY!!

This week's featured dancer: Lauren Willmann

Lauren joined the Claire Bataille Legacy Scholarship program in 2025 after attending our Summer workshop series! Lauren has found CMC a helpful resource in this phase of her dance journey.

"[My goal is] to absorb as much knowledge about dance as I can through experiences, so I can pass it on to the next generation through teaching. I’ve met so many different people through CMC, and they’ve continued to inspire me in new and exciting ways. I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to choreograph on fellow scholarship students for our upcoming show Persistent Spring. My long term goal is to start and direct a versatile dance company."

The CBLS allows dancers to create a personalized schedule of classes that is flexible to fit around outside work. In addition to her CMC classes, Lauren stays busy working professionally in various areas of the dance world.

"I teach dance four days a week. I’m training two days a week with Hip Hop ConnXion HQ. I assist for The ConnXion Experience convention as well as Manhattan Dance Project around the country. I’m also a part of a gig group called The Honey Taps!"

Photos by Nino G Photography

05/08/2026

Upcoming performance: Persistent Spring
Produced in collaboration with Winifred Haun & Dancers

Friday, May 22nd
7:30pm
Ruth Page Center for the Arts
1016 N Dearborn St

See the next generation of Chicago dance artists as they burst onto the dance stage and begin the next stage in their dance careers.

Get your tickets here: https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/winifredhaun/persistent-spring-2026

05/07/2026

Check out CBLS dancers Sidney Valdez and Ashton Craven along with CBLS alumna Blake Campbell performing this weekend with Darvin Dances!

The (fill in the blank) Between Us
Friday, May 8th
7pm
The Edge Theater
5451 N Broadway

Buy tickets here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/mariaheastman/2034290?trackingConsent=0

05/05/2026

Sub alert! Catch Int/Adv Contemporary this month with Tess Renaud. Classes are Tuesdays 11:45am-1:15pm, May 5th, 12th, and 19th.

More about Tess:
Tess Renaud began dancing in the Chicagoland area. She trained at Visceral Dance Center under the direction of Nick Pupillo. Tess graduated from Western Michigan University (WMU) with a Bachelor of Arts in dance, and a minor in nonprofit leadership. She has had the honor of performing works at WMU choreographed by Monique Haley, Carolyn Pavlik, Jackie Nowicki, and a Loïe Fuller reconstruction of “La Mer.”
Since graduating, Tess has performed the works of various Chicago choreographers including Nick Pupillo and Harrison McEldowney. She completed her 200-hour vinyasa yoga teacher training at the White Lotus Yoga Foundation in Santa Barbara, CA. She has since also completed training for hot and restorative yoga. She has judged for various dance competitions such as Applause Talent and VIP Dance Competition.
Tess is currently focusing on a career in teaching and choreography. She has set professional works on companies Visceral Dance Chicago and The LAUNCH Chicago. Tess specializes in contemporary and improvisation classes and is currently on faculty at Visceral Dance Center, Exhibit 3 Dance Company, Chicago Dance Connection and Denise Sabala Dance Company. She spends most of her time as the co-artistic director with Exhibit 3 Dance Company.

05/01/2026

3-Day Feldenkrais®
Summer Workshop
Reimagine / Rediscover / Renew

w/ Taylor Mitchell

This 3- day workshop will be a guided process of multiple Feldenkrais: Awareness Through Movement (ATM) lessons through verbal cues. The workshop will guide students to investigate new movement patterns through their own unique expedition of self-discovery through gentle, comfortable, and explorative movements through the intention of novelty. This 3-day process will facilitate a space to learn, connect, and exchange curiosity. Get ready to Reimagine / Rediscover / Renew!

EARLY BIRD (thru May 31st): Full Series $90

Single Day: $40
Full Series: $100

Professional Rate (available at CMC front desk)
Single Day: $30
Full Series: $80

Photo by James Gowan

04/26/2026

SCHOLARSHIP SUNDAY!!!

This week's featured dancer: Millicent Collins

Millie joined the CBLS in 2025 after graduating from Northern Illinois University with a BFA in Dance and minor in Nonprofit Studies. In looking ahead at how to commence her dance career, she found CMC to be a good place to make the transition into the professional world of dance.

"I realized post grad, it was very difficult to find my place within the dance community, and also have access to affordable consistent training that would allow me to be able to prepare for auditions, make connections, and explore opportunities within the Chicago dance scene. After hearing about CMC, I knew it would be a good fit to be able to keep training consistently, meet choreographers, and connect with other dancers in my similar position."

Across her time in the program, she's been able to explore different avenues and grow her community!

"The people I have met through CMC have been so wonderful and supportive. I have enjoyed the flexibility of the program, which also allows me to have time for other jobs/interests outside of dance! It has been an interesting insight into what the Chicago dance world has to offer, and has helped me shape my path into what my role is within that community. "

Photos 1 & 2 by Peter Hinsdale

04/19/2026

SCHOLARSHIP SUNDAY!!

This week's featured dancer is Ashton Craven!!

Ashton's time at CMC has coincided with professional endeavors. She currently dances with mulitiple dance companies in Chicago and is additionally choreographing a piece alongside Caitlyn Cargnoni for the upcoming production of Persistent Spring.

"Outside of the program, I currently dance with Alluvion and Darvin Dances. As a freelance dancer, I have also performed in Dance for Life, Dance Divas, and the Chicago Tap Allstar's Winter Wonderland this past year. I hope to keep seeking growth, inspiration, and community. This program has helped me connect with truly amazing artists while further discovering my own creative voice."

Video footage footage from Hanna DiLorenzo's contemporary class.

04/19/2026

SCHOLARSHIP SUNDAY

This week's featured dancer is Ashton Craven!!

Ashton grew up training at Dancenter North in the northern Chicago suburbs, and graduated from UC Irvine with a B.A. in Dance and B.S. in Biology in 2024. Upon graduating, she returned to Chicago to continue into her dance career. She joined the Claire Bataille Legacy Scholarship program in December 2024 through recommendation of CBLS alumn Jayne Friscia.

"The people I've met through CMC have truly provided a unique support system. Navigating training, auditions, and generally finding footing within the Chicago dance world is definitely no easy task, but having people to lean on has made these steps so much more manageable and exciting. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities CMC has provided us with throughout this past year, between learning from so many amazing instructors and performing different works at multiple venues. Especially having the chance to present work and perform on a stage at Navy Pier, those kinds of moments are truly unforgettable."

Photo 1: by Michelle Reid for Alluvion Dance
Photo 2: by Afterglow Studio .co for Darvin Dances

04/16/2026

Mark your calendars! We are so excited to present Persistent Spring alongside Winifred Haun & Dancers!

Friday, May 22nd, 7:30pm at Ruth Page Center for the Arts!

The Chicago Movement Collective (CMC), and the Winifred Haun & Dancers (WH&D) will present the third annual PERSISTENT SPRING 2026 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago.

04/11/2026

Support the new wave of choreographers- consider making a donation: https://givebutter.com/support-persistent-spring-lkpnrm

CMC is excited to co-produce our annual Persistent Spring alongside . This year’s production will feature a new work by Abdiel Figueroa Reyes as well as works from CBLS dancers.

Check out this sneak peak into the rehearsal rooms of CBLS choreographers Ashton Craven & Caitlyn Cargnoni, Katerina Willis, Kalie Ferry, Lauren William, René, and Valerie Lowder!