Wade Schaaf (born 1979) is an American contemporary dancer, choreographer and dance company artistic director.
Biography Wade Schaaf (they/them) was born in Elgin, Illinois on May 2, 1979. After graduating from Northern Illinois University with a BFA in Theater Arts (Dance Performance Emphasis) in 2001, Wade went on to dance for such companies as The Ohio Ballet, State Street Ballet, River North Chicago Dance Company and Thodos Dance Chicago.
Wade is the founder and Artistic Director of Chicago Repertory Ballet, the company that they founded on November 13, 2011. Wade has created works on such companies as The Omaha Theater Ballet, and Thodos Dance Chicago, Nomi Dance Company, Chicago Repertory Ballet, South Chicago Dance Theater and more.
Performing Schaaf started their performing career in Elgin, IL performing in various community and children's theater productions. At Northern Illinois University Wade performed in various ballets and contemporary choreographies such as The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Paquita, and Giselle. After leaving the university setting, they performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. During Wade's career, they performed works by such choreographers as Kennet Oberly, Lauri Stallings, Bill Soleau, Septime Webre, Stephen Mills, Frank Chavez, and Ann Reinking; Reinking created the role of Carter Harrison in the ballet, "The White City: Chicago's Colombian Exposition". Schaaf retired in 2011 due to injury.
Choreography Wade's choreography is known for its emotional sensitivity, musicality, and variety. Their choreography ranges from Full length narrative ballets, to abstract ballets to contemporary dance works of varied style and tone.
Title Company Premiere date/Location Scheonberg Piano Works Omaha Theater Ballet 2005 Omaha, NE Somewhere in the Middle Omaha Theater Ballet 2006 Omaha, NE The Gathering Omaha Theater Ballet 2007 Omaha, NE Awakening Thodos Dance Chicago 2008, Ruth Page Center, Chicago, IL Dancer, Net Thodos Dance Chicago 2009, Dance Center Columbia College, Chicago, IL Shostakovich Piano ConcertoThodos Dance Chicago 2010, Ruth Page Center, Chicago, IL Tres Hip: A Love Story Dance in the Parks 2010, Chicago Parks, Chicago, IL La Vie en Rose Chicago Repertory Ballet 2012, Ruth Page Center, Chicago, IL2 Lent et DouloureuxChicago Repertory Ballet2012, Ruth Page Center, Chicago, ILPeoplescape: JuxtapositionChicago Repertory Ballet2012, Ruth Page Center, Chicago, ILLe Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring)Chicago Repertory Ballet2013, The Vittum Theater, Chicago, ILThe Four SeasonsChicago Repertory Ballet2014, The Biograph Theater, Chicago, ILWastelandChicago Repertory Ballet2015, The Biograph Theater, Chicago, ILBoleroChicago Repertory Ballet2015, The Biograph Theater, Chicago, ILMacbethChicago Repertory Ballet2016, The Ruth Page Center, Chicago, ILA Symphony for HopeChicago Repertory Ballet2017, The Biograph Theater, Chicago, ILDuet: 1Chicago Repertory Ballet2017, The Biograph Theater, Chicago, ILIlluminations Nos 1-3Nomi Dance Company2017, The Athenaeum Theater, Chicago, ILGrand Pianola Music: On the Great DivideChicago Repertory Ballet2018, The Athenaeum Theater, Chicago, ILAnderson SweetChicago Repertory Ballet2021, Montrose Harbor, Chicago, ILLe Sacre Du Printemps (Revived/Renewed)Chicago Repertory Ballet2021, Montrose Harbor, Chicago, ILHuit SuiteChicago Repertory Ballet2021, Center on Halsted, Chicago, IL
Chicago Repertory Ballet
Chicago based contemporary ballet company founded by Wade Schaaf. The company, founded on November 13, 2011, is dedicated to bring storytelling and choreographic innovation to the stage while inspiring audiences and challenging preconceived notions of the art form. Chicago Repertory Ballet premiered at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts in 2012.
References