About:
See Chicago Dance
See Chicago Dance is a nonprofit service organization with the mission to advocate for the dance field and strengthen a diverse range of dance organizations and artists through services and programs that build and engage audiences. Our two-pronged approach focuses on building audiences while developing a more cohesive dance community.
We are a community-focused organization that offers a wide variety of programming and support to dance companies of all sizes, dance styles, and points of view. In addition, See Chicago Dance strives to provide equitable access to dance experiences for Chicago audiences that is inclusive and welcoming to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
2024 Honorees
Jan Bartoszek, founder and artistic director of Hedwig Dances, has choreographed over 70 acclaimed works described as “intelligent” and “poignantly human.” Her visually compelling dances have been presented in Chicago, across the U.S., and internationally, including performances in Cuba, Germany, and Brazil. Bartoszek’s contributions to Chicago’s dance scene include an Emmy nomination for her film Arch of Repose and a Ruth Page Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Dance Community.
From 1992-2011, Hedwig Dances was the company-inresidence at the Chicago Cultural Center, where Bartoszek fostered numerous collaborations. Her projects, such as Trade Winds/Aires de Cambio and META I MOR I PHOS, have received support from the MacArthur Foundation and other prestigious grants. In addition to her work as a choreographer, Bartoszek has been a dancer, educator, and mentor, playing a key role in shaping the dance community in Chicago and beyond.
Patti Eylar has studied in California and Maryland, and on full scholarship at the American Ballet Theatre School in NYC. In 1977, she moved to Chicago, joining the Lyric Opera Ballet and becoming a founding member of the Chicago City Ballet under Maria Tallchief and Paul Mejia. Patti danced with Ballet Chicago from its inception in 1987 until 1993 and performed as a soloist in Ruth Page’s Nutcracker at the Arie Crown Theater.
She has been a vital part of the Chicago dance education scene, teaching at the School of Ballet Chicago, Chicago Ballet Arts, and the Lou Conte Dance Studio. Patti’s leadership extends to numerous boards including the Chicago Dance Coalition, The Joffrey Ballet Women’s Board, The Auditorium, Chicago Dance Health Fund, See Chicago Dance, and more. She’s been honored with the Ruth Page Award (2011), JUBA! Award (2014), and the Adler & Sullivan Award (2019) for her enduring contributions to the arts.
Jan Bartoszek
Patti Eylar
2024 Legacy Award
Honorary Chairs
Carol Fox founded Carol Fox & Associates, Inc. (CF&A) in 1994 to provide unparalleled marketing and PR services to Chicago-based arts and entertainment organizations. Today, CF&A is the largest Chicago-based firm in the industry, with a presence in over 30 cities across North America. Recognized with the Crain’s Chicago Business’s Notable Entrepreneur Award and listed in PR Net’s Top 100 U.S. Agencies in 2023.
Carol was the Director of Communications for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago for five years. She spearheaded the development of the website, SeeChicagoDance.com.
Following the success of the website, Carol and co-founder, Niki Morrison, incorporated See Chicago Dance (formerly Audience Architects) as a non-profit and considers it one of the highlights of her career. Carol served as the President of the organization for twelve years.
As Carol Fox & Associates’ Executive Vice President, Niki Morrison plays a major role in the company’s general operations. She oversees both the marketing and special events departments and established the digital media department. A former dancer, Niki feels fortunate to have worked with New York City Ballet, Giordano Dance Chicago, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, PILOBOLUS, and Savion Glover, among many others.
Continuing her lifelong dedication to dance, Niki is proud to have co-founded the non-profit organization See Chicago Dance with Carol Fox for which the two were honored with the Ruth Page Award for dedication to the field. Niki has also served on committees for Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival and Dance/USA, where she was also a speaker.
Carol Fox
Niki Morrison
2024 Honorary Chair
2024 Honorary Chair
Acknowledgements
Honorees
Jan Bartoszek 2024 Legac y Award Honoree
Patti Eylar 2024 Distinguished Ser vice to the Dance Field Award Honoree
Honorary Chairs
Carol Fox
Niki Morrison
Event Co-Chairs:
Kay Burnett
Pamela Crutchfield
Winifred Haun
Kevin McGirr
Host Committee:
Robin Edwards
Carol Fox+
Judie Moore Green+
Roderick Hawkins
Meghan McNamara+
Michael McStraw+
Princess Mhoon
Niki Morrison+
Brian Smith+
Linda Swayze
“See Chicago Dance is the network that brings us all together...”
Acknowledgements
Sustainer Sponsors
Pamela Crutchfield
Patti Eylar & Charles Gardner
Ted Grady & Ross Slotten
Abby McCormick O’Neil & D. Carroll Joynes
Ambassador Sponsors
Amber Foundation & Debra Bernstein-Siegel
Anne L. Kaplan
The Auditorium
Carol Fox & Associates
Chicago Dance Health Fund Board of Directors
Chicago Dance History Project/Michael McStraw
Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theatre
Hedwig Dances
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Hyde Park School of Dance
Ladonna Freidheim/Ruth Page Center
Kevin McGirr
Kia S. Smith/South Chicago Dance Theatre
Winifred Haun & Dancers
Catering Sponsor
J&L Catering
Membership Sponsor
Grand Stage
Raffle Sponsors
The Auditorium
Deeply Roooted Dance Theater
Ensemble Español
Giordano Dance Chicago
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
The Joffrey Ballet
Mariano’s
Visceral Dance Chicago
Weinstein Photography
The Whitehall Hotel
Acknowledgements
Tribute Gifts | In Honor of...
Jan Bartoszek (Diane McKeever)
Patti Eylar (Greg Cameron)
Patti Eylar (Harriet and Irwin Ross)
In Honor of The Four Fabulous Awardees! (Heather Hartley)
Jan Bartoszek and Patti Eylar (Hema Rajagopalan)
Patti Eylar (Irwin Ross)
Patti Eylar (Judie Green)
Jan Bartoszek and Patti Eylar (Katie Campana)
Jan Bartoszek (Lois & Ron Barliant)
Carol & Niki (Phillip Bahar)
Patti Eylar (Richard & Gina Heise)
Patti Eylar (Shelley Farley)
Brian Smuts (Boss Design)
Jack Hanifen Catlin (Gail Catlin)
This list inlcudes donors whose tribute gifts were made on or before September 19, 2024.
“See Chicago Dance supports all of us and has their eye on trying to create as many opportunities and resources for the dance c ommunity as possible.”
—Mark Yonally Ar tistic Director, Chicago Tap Theatre
Acknowledgements
Board of Directors
Jorge Perez, President *
Amanda Banks, Vice President *
Dawn Stanislaw, Treasurer
Marisa C. Santiago, Secretary *
Debra Bernstein-Siegel*
Michael Foster*
Ladonna Freidheim
Erik Kaiko
Sarah Venuti Yates
Allyson Ratliff*
Kia Smith
Staff
Julia Mayer*
Solomon Bowser
Tristan Bruns
Rachel LaChanse
Kennedy Ward
Event Manager
“[See
Audio Descriptions
Victor Cole
ASL Interpretation
Veramarie Baldoza
Kristin Schmitz
CART Captioning
Dillon Reporting Service
Tina Dillon
Chicago Dance] is a tireless supporter and advocate for dance in this city.”
The Sypher Productions
Samantha Br own
Production Manager
Stonewolf Studios
Sarah Lackner
* Event Planning Committee
Graphic Design
J. Hitchens Design
Artwork “Playing Air Piano”
Arthur Wright
—Corinne Imberski Independent Ar tist
Donate Today!
Your tax-deductible donation helps See Chicago Dance continue to bring necessary services and programs to Chicago communities for dancers and audiences alike.
To learn more about See Chicago Dance’s impact please follow the link below!
See Chicago Dance is a 501(c)(3) organization, EIN: 38-3748678.
Warmest congratulations to Patti Eylar & Jan Bartoszek for their incredible achievements and impact on the Chicago Dance Community.
We are proud to call you members of the Ruth Page family!
The See Chicago Dance Board and Staff celebrate the immeasurable impact and legacies of this year’s honorees and honorary chairs!
Thank you Jan, Patti, Carol, and Niki, for your continued service to the community at large and for the opportunity to acknowledge your contributions at this year’s gala!
Jan Bartoszek
Patti Eylar
Carol Fox Niki Morrison
Photo credits: Jan Bartoszek by Eileen Ryan Photography. Patti Eylar by Todd Rosenberg. Carol Fox by Paul Natkin. Niki Morrison by Faith Decker.
On behalf of the Chicago Ballet Arts community, the CBA Board of Directors wishes to congratulate Patti Eylar and thank her for her inspiring contributions to the world of dance. We are grateful for her many years of leadership and service to our organization and for her generous support of our mission.
Today and every day we celebrate this jewel!
Chicago Ballet Arts is a non-profit ballet school located in Evanston, IL. We are honored to have Patti as part of our family as Director Emeritus, faculty member, Board Member, and resident space expert.
Donate Today!
Your tax-deductible donation helps See Chicago Dance continue to bring necessary services and programs to Chicago communities for dancers and audiences alike.
To learn more about See Chicago Dance’s impact please follow the link below!
See Chicago Dance is a 501(c)(3) organization, EIN: 38-3748678.