The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University will launch its 30th anniversary season with a performance by South Chicago Dance Theatre (SCDT) on Saturday, Sept. 27,  at 7:30 p.m. 

“This opening night event is more than a performance — it is a celebration of homegrown excellence that has earned national and international acclaim,” said the center’s Executive Director Scott Sowinski.

Led by choreographer Kia S. Smith, the evening will highlight nearly a decade of South Chicago Dance Theatre’s genre-defying work while centering the voices and talents of choreographers working in Chicago and around the world.

Smith is a Chicago native and product of the south suburban dance training, including early instruction at Homewood’s American Dance Center. She was recently named one of “Dance Magazine’s” 25 to Watch (2024) and one of “Chicago Magazine’s” Rising Stars (2023). She has received commissions from Giordano Dance Chicago, Houston Contemporary, Scottish Ballet School, Chicago Opera Theater and others.

South Chicago Dance Theatre is one of the few in Chicago that platforms and supports choreographers rooted in the city — many of whom are women and artists of color — while providing salaried, sustainable employment for South Side-based dancers. 

For Smith, who spent many of her high school years with her aunt and uncle in Monee after the loss of her mother, this performance is deeply personal. 

“The South Suburbs were my second home,” Smith said. “To open this milestone season in the Southland is a full-circle moment.”

Sowinski shared that sentiment: “This is not just the start of a season. It’s the next chapter of a movement — led by artists who grew up here, made their mark on the world and still call Chicagoland their home.”

The evening will feature a curated selection from SCDT’s diverse repertory, spanning nearly a decade:

• “Soul Power” choreographed by Monique Haley, who was the first Black woman to dance with River North Dance Company.
• “On a Lark” choreographed by Stephanie Martinez, which follows five dancers as they move through famous film soundtracks.
• “Under the Skin” choreographed by Tsai Hsi Hung, an abstract piece that explores themes of identity and transformation through virtuosic movement.
• “IN/WITHIN” choreographed by Kia S. Smith, which delves into the imaginary landscape of the lead performer as she ventures through the characters, objects and ephemera of her subconscious mind. 

In addition to the mainstage performance, SCDT will engage the Southland community through a masterclass with Smith prior to the show at 5 p.m., furthering the company’s mission to provide access, education and professional opportunities in underrepresented areas of Chicagoland.

Tickets are $29 to $74, with $20 tickets available for students and children. There will be discounts for seniors and groups.

To purchase tickets, visit GovSt.edu/SouthChicagoDance or call the box office at 708-235-2222.