Dance Chicago

The Christine Rich Dance Theater has appeared several times in Dance Chicago, the country's largest professional dance festival. Ms. Rich was honored to be asked to create world premieres for the 2002, 2003 and 2004 festivals after her debut in 2001. At Dance Chicago 2004, Christine Rich was awarded Outstanding Choreographer.

Ms. Rich's works appear on evenings of programming with Chicago's most talented dancers and dance companies, including the Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, River North Chicago Dance Company, and Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago in addition to other top Chicago dance companies.

At Dance Chicago 2003, the Christine Rich Dance Theater presented a choreography collaboration between Ms. Rich and Paul Christiano (whose choreography is in the repertoire of the Joffrey Ballet, River North Chicago Dance Company). This world premiere entitled Schmitz' Intent received rave reviews from its debut in New Dances from the Chicago Tribune and went on to appear in The Best of New Dances as well as the Finale. Andrew Cribbett and Becky Ramos, both age 11 and from the Christine Rich Studio danced a duet as well as an ensemble work with professionals from Chicago.

Sid Smith, dance critic of the Chicago Tribune, wrote "Astonishing in another sense is Christine Rich's and Christiano's "Schmitz' Intent," a work named for the festival curator. The actual drama of the dance itself takes second place to the remarkable talents of Andrew Cribbett and Becky Ramos, both age 11, and dancing almost as if they were New York City Ballet principals."

Ms. Rich was selected to be part of Dance Chicago 2004's Choreography Partnership and choreographed a new world premiere for Cerqua Rivera Art Experience, a multi-art Chicago dance company. Migeon's Intent (formerly Schmitz' Intent) returned to Dance Chicago 2004's Opening Night.

In 2002 Ms. Rich showcased three world premieres. Parenthesis debuted in 'New Dances', Cloud 10 debuted in 'Jazz Rhythms' and Rainforest was a favorite in 'Dance For Kids, Too!'. All three were tremendous artistic successes and audience favorites. Christine Rich was honored when all three works were invited to be showcased in the festival's prestigious Finales.

Many "firsts" were achieved at Dance Chicago 2002. This was the first time in the history of the festival that a choreographer debuting in Dance Slam Programming was scheduled to feature numerous works on multiple evenings in top programming the very next year. Additionally, through multi-generational casting, young students (ages 10-12) of the Christine Rich Studio appeared in Christine Rich Dance Theater premieres holding the distinction of being the youngest to appear in Jazz Rhythms and Best of New Dances. And finally, CRS students hold the distinction of being the first children ever to appear in the Finale and Opening Night at Dance Chicago.