Natya Dance Theatre

- 722 W 18th St # 1R, Chicago, IL 60616

For residents of **Illinois**, especially those in the vibrant cultural landscape of **Chicago**, the **Natya Dance Theatre** stands as one of the nation's most critically acclaimed and culturally treasured Indian dance institutions. Founded in 1974 by Artistic Director Hema Rajagopalan, Natya has spent decades enriching the local and global arts scene, dedicated to the exquisite classical dance-theatre form of **Bharata Natyam**.

More than just a dance school, Natya Dance Theatre is a professional company that is deeply committed to upholding the classical rigor of Bharata Natyam while simultaneously moving the ancient art form in innovative and socially aware directions. Their highly innovative work offers profound expressions of humanity's deepest questions and values, connecting millennia-old traditions to our present-day lives in the Midwest.

The institution is organized around four core pillars: its professional touring **Performing Company**, its dedicated **Teaching Academy**, extensive **Community Outreach**, and a **Presenting Series** that brings other fine Indian performing artists to Chicago. For Illinois locals, Natya represents a unique gateway to experiencing and learning a rich cultural heritage, delivered with artistic excellence that has been recognized by *The New York Times* as "Triumphant... an enticing mixture of restraint and abundance.”

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## Location and Accessibility

Natya Dance Theatre is rooted in the heart of Chicago, making it a central and accessible destination for dance students and enthusiasts throughout the metro area and surrounding Illinois regions. The primary studio location is situated in a vibrant part of the city, offering convenience to its diverse community.

The address for the dance school is **722 W 18th St # 1R, Chicago, IL 60616, USA**. While the main studio is here, it is important for prospective attendees to note that Natya also frequently performs and collaborates at major Chicago venues, such as the Ravinia Festival, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Harris Theatre, ensuring their work is accessible to a broad audience across the city.

The institution is explicitly noted as being **Good for kids**, highlighting its commitment to providing a safe, positive, and educational environment for its youth participants.

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## Services Offered

The Teaching Academy at Natya Dance Theatre provides a comprehensive curriculum for individuals seeking to immerse themselves in the art of Indian classical dance. The services are structured to cater to every level, from beginners to pre-professional dancers.

Key educational and community services offered include:

• **Bharata Natyam Classes:** The core offering, with **Group Classes** designed to impart the rigorous technique of this classical form, including dynamic body movement, rhythmic footwork, hand gestures, and intricate facial expressions (Abhinaya).
• **Youth Classes:** Dedicated programs for young students, ensuring the cultural heritage of South Asia is sustained and passed on to the next generation of Illinois dancers.
• **Adult Classes:** Training opportunities available for adults, accommodating beginners through advanced levels who wish to pursue the art form for fitness, cultural connection, or performance.
• **Training Programs & Dance Intensives:** Specialized, in-depth instruction through **Summer Intensives**, **Master Classes**, and a comprehensive **Training Program** for those seeking a pre-professional path.
• **Educational Programs & Lecture Demonstrations:** Public and private presentations designed to foster cultural exchange, broaden understanding of Indian classical dance, and introduce the art form to new audiences, often through **Community Performances** and university residencies.
• **Community Outreach:** A core pillar of the organization, providing dance programs and performances to schools and under-resourced communities to promote the physical, emotional, and cultural benefits of dance.
• **Company Workshops:** Opportunities for advanced students and professional dancers to engage with the professional Natya Dance Theatre Company and guest artists.
• **Special Events:** Regular performances, festivals, and collaborations, such as the upcoming 50th Anniversary events, offering high-caliber cultural experiences to the Chicago public.

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## Features / Highlights

What makes Natya Dance Theatre a true point of interest for the Illinois region is its global reputation combined with its local community dedication. Its artistic achievements and unique approach to tradition set it apart.

Notable features and highlights of Natya Dance Theatre include:

• **International Acclaim and Artistic Excellence:** Natya is one of the most critically acclaimed Indian dance companies in the United States, with its work being featured in major national and international venues, including Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and the Avignon Festival in France.
• **Innovative and Socially Aware Choreography:** Under the artistic direction of Hema Rajagopalan (an Emmy and multiple NEA award recipient), the company creates works that are both deeply rooted in classicism and acutely contemporary, addressing modern issues like racial and religious barriers in collaborative works like *INAI–The Connection*.
• **Cross-Cultural Collaborations:** Natya frequently collaborates with major Chicago arts institutions and world-renowned artists, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lookingglass Theatre Company, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, showcasing its ability to build artistic bridges.
• **Commitment to Mentorship:** The organization has a decades-long history of successfully training the next generation of dancers, with a specific focus on sustaining the cultural heritage of South Asia within the Chicago diaspora and beyond.
• **Award-Winning Leadership:** Hema Rajagopalan's individual accomplishments, including receiving seven Choreography Awards from the National Endowment for the Arts (the most received by any U.S. choreographer) and an Emmy Award for a PBS production, underscore the quality and influence of the institution.
• **Community Focus on 'Rasa':** The philosophy centers on creating *Rasa*, the aesthetic experience that is meant to spiritually transform the audience and bring a sense of bliss, making the performances not just entertainment but profound emotional and cultural experiences.

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## Contact Information

For community members in the Chicago area interested in classes, performances, or outreach programs, the following contact details are provided:

• **Address:** 722 W 18th St # 1R, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
• **Phone:** (773) 296-1108
• **Mobile Phone:** +1 773-296-1108

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## What is Worth Choosing

For Illinois residents, choosing to engage with Natya Dance Theatre is an opportunity to access world-class performing arts and profound cultural education without leaving Chicago. It is a point of interest that offers both a rigorous artistic discipline and a deeply spiritual experience.

The primary reason for choosing Natya is the **unparalleled quality of instruction** in Bharata Natyam. With its founder being an internationally recognized, award-winning artist and guru, the academy provides a level of classical training that is among the highest in the United States. This is crucial for parents looking to connect their children with their heritage or for adults seeking a serious, rewarding artistic pursuit.

Secondly, by supporting Natya, you are endorsing an institution that actively promotes **cross-cultural dialogue and social awareness**. The company’s creative vision ensures that the ancient, beautiful movements of Bharata Natyam are used to comment on, and connect with, contemporary global issues. This makes their performances at venues like the Ravinia Festival and the Museum of Contemporary Art a highly compelling and thought-provoking experience for all Chicagoans.

Lastly, the extensive **Community Outreach and Educational Programs** demonstrate a powerful commitment to making the arts accessible. Natya actively works to bring the benefits of classical dance to schools and organizations, affirming its role as a cultural treasure for the entire state of Illinois. Whether through enrollment, attending a performance, or participating in a lecture demonstration, Natya Dance Theatre offers an aesthetically rich and socially meaningful choice.

Natya Dance Theatre

722 W 18th St # 1R, Chicago, IL 60616, USA