company
The Joel Hall Dancers are a Chicago-based, internationally renowned Black jazz dance company founded by Joel Hall and Joseph Ehrenberg. The Company performs the dynamic and exhilarating works of its 50-year repertoire of jazz dance excellence for diverse audiences locally, nationally, and internationally.
The Joel Hall Dancers live to awaken the dancer in everyone’s soul and to share the legacy of Joel Hall’s artistry with the world.
If you are interested in becoming part of the Joel Hall Dancers, a professional performing company, please contact info@joelhall.org.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Choreography for In the Shadow of Nina Simone was hailed with the African American Arts Alliance "Black Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance"
Named one of Chicago’s Cultural Treasures in 2021
Founding member of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project
Recipient of the "New Business of the Year Award" from the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce
Dance Magazine has hailed the Joel Hall Dancers as “Jazz Dance at its best”
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COMPANY AUDITIONS
The Joel Hall Dancers audition for Company Dancers by appointment. To be considered, please email a resume and brief introductory email to info@joelhall.org. If available, please include any links to a personal website or video reels of you dancing. All applications will be acknowledged.
If you have any questions, please email info@joelhall.org. No phone calls, please.
youth company
The Joel Hall Dance Youth Company (JHDYC) is a pre-professional dance company performing the unique and exhilarating works of Joel Hall throughout the region. Company members are selected from the most promising young dancers to study the artistry of Joel Hall and learn the profession of dance. JHDYC provides accessible excellence in Black jazz dance training for youth throughout Chicagoland.
If you are interested in becoming a part of Joel Hall Dancers Youth Company, please contact youthcompany@joelhall.org
celebrating black dance
CHICAGO BLACK DANCE LEGACY PROJECT ➔
Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project celebrates the national impact of Black dance in the performing arts. It addresses historical inequities in arts funding by providing critical financial and operational support to Chicago-based Black dance makers. Joel Hall Dancers & Center is one of eight Chicago-based project partners united in their shared vision for the continued vitality of Black dance forms and their commitment to long-term sustainability.
PARTICIPANTS: Joel Hall Dancers & Center, Ayodele Drum & Dance, The Chicago Multicultural Dance Company, Deeply Rooted Dance, Forward Momentum Chicago, Muntu Dance Theatre, NAJWA Dance Corps, Red Clay Dance
joel hall
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS
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(He/Him) Joel Hall — a native of Chicago’s Cabrini Green neighborhood — established and co-founded the Chicago City Theatre Company in 1974. This unique performing arts organization includes the Chicago City Theatre Company, the professional concert dance company, Joel Hall Dancers, and a training facility, the Joel Hall Dancers & Center. Hall was the Artistic Director and prime choreographer for his dance company and the Chief Dance Instructor for the training studio. He has now mentored dancers who direct Joel Hall Dancers II and Joel Hall Dancers Youth Company.
william gill
Interim Artistic Director
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William Gill (he/him) is a Chicago native who has taught and danced professionally throughout the US and internationally for the past 25 years. Will has worked with such noted dance legends as Donald Byrd, Alonzo King, Donald McKayle, and Milton Myers, (just to name a few), all while dancing for the acclaimed Dallas Black Dance Theatre for 9 seasons. One of many highlights with Dallas Black was when Will performed the legendary solo “Ostrich” at the Austrian Dance Festival, choreographed by the renowned Asadata Dafora. Since his return to Chicago, will has been teaching and choreographing at the Joel Hall Dancers & Center, Chicago Multicultural Dance Center, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Praize Productions, as well as Roosevelt University, where he was on Staff as a professor of dance in the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Will is also resident choreographer for the highly acclaimed and internationally known visual artist Nick Cave. He had the pleasure of working with Nick on his successful exhibit “Heard” when it toured across the United States, including New York's Grand Central Station, Australia, and Hong Kong. Recently will has been named the new artistic director of Joel Hall Dancers & Center, where he artistically began as a company member. “It is such an honor and privilege to continue the legacy and work of Joel Hall while implementing new and fresh ideas through my voice.”
jazzlab
Experience the legacy in motion with our ever-expanding virtual library.