Our Mission
Illinois Youth Dance Theatre (IYDT) is a not for profit dance company committed to the art of dance. IYDT promotes the opportunity for community engagement and public performing. Professional instruction, working with guest artists and the use of professional sets and costuming allows our members to experience the joy of intense and focused dance in a quality performance setting.
Credit: Kelly Stachura Photography
The Foundation of IYDT
Illinois Youth Dance Theatre (IYDT) was founded in 2000 by Artistic Director Alyce Keaggy Brinkmann. It is a not-for-profit, pre-professional dance company dedicated to the art and education of dance. The company offers junior and senior members an opportunity to engage in intensive and focused dance training at the highest level, complete with quality performances, renowned guest artists, professional sets, costumes, and instruction.
Impactful Arts Education
For the past 18 years, IYDT has been a cornerstone of arts exposure and education in the greater Chicago area. Their annual production of "The Nutcracker" brings together nearly 100 dancers for a grand classic event, and they also provide guesting opportunities for professional dancers nationwide, twice a year.
Credit: Kelly Stachura Photography
Diverse Repertoire and Creative Works
Credit: Kelly Stachura Photography
Starting in the spring of 2001 with the premiere of the full-length ballet "Paquita," IYDT's annual productions alternate between classical full-length productions and mixed repertoire bills, incorporating various genres into the performing experience. They have performed classics like "La Bayadère" (ACT III – Shades), "Cinderella," "Giselle," "Sleeping Beauty," and "Swan Lake."
The company has also collaborated with renowned artists, including Susan Clark, who restaged "Les Sylphides" with Milwaukee Ballet guest artists. Thanks to support from The Illinois Arts Council and dedicated sponsors, IYDT has created new works, including full-length ballets such as "The Little Mermaid" and "Joan of Arc," along with mixed repertoire ballets like "Water to Wine," "Besides Momentum," "Passage," "Isaiah 41:10," "Sonata," and "Kibo."
Credit: Kelly Stachura Photography
Credit: Kelly Stachura Photography
Commitment to
Cultural Enrichment
IYDT collaborates with the Illinois Dance Conservatory to enrich the cultural education of the greater Chicago area. Students and company members have received scholarships to various universities and programs, including Milwaukee Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Tulsa Ballet School, Alabama Ballet, Valentina Kozlova Dance Conservatory, Ballet West, The Rock, Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet School, and Ellison Ballet.
Alumni Success Stories
Graduates of IYDT and IDC have gone on to join prestigious dance companies, including Houston Ballet II, Milwaukee Ballet II, Columbia Classical Ballet, San Diego Ballet, Chicago Dance Crash, Nomi Dance Company, Big Muddy Dance Company, Nomadic Limbs, Charlesville Ballet, City Ballet of San Diego, and Orlando Ballet.
Credit: Kelly Stachura Photography