Chicago Dance Crash to Lead Knox Dance Residency

The Knox College dance program is pleased to announce the upcoming dance residency with professional company Chicago Dance Crash. The theme of this residency project is Community Healing through the Arts.

Starting Sunday, February 1, and running through Saturday, February 7, members of the Chicago Dance Crash company will be on campus, working with students both inside and outside the classroom. They will host workshops, guest lectures, and performance opportunities. This week-long residency invites students to immerse themselves in the lively world of dance, discover new creative horizons, and experience the joy of performing. With two open workshops open to all Knox community members, dancers and non-dancers have an opportunity to explore their work. A schedule and registration can be found on the Knox College calendar. 

Chicago Dance Crash amplifies diverse expressive voices at the intersection of street dance, concert dance, and physical theater, creating new avenues of discovery and innovation in Chicago and on the worldwide stage. 

“I started looking at bringing in a company that I thought really kind of matched our student interest and growth, and matched it with where dance is going today,” Smith said. “We’ve also had two alumni from our dance program work with the company. As performers, I’ve always been intrigued with their work, and it seemed like this was the right time to do it.”

Highlighting the residency, Chicago Dance Crash will present their full show LXIV (six.four) at the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday, February 7, at 7:00 p.m. Before the Saturday evening performance, Knox College President C. Andrew McGadney, Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman, and Smith will discuss community engagement activities at Knox College and in Galesburg. 

“We’re looking at this idea of dance as a vehicle for building healthy communities and what dance has done on the Knox campus for generating a sense of community and belonging and what that can mean in the big picture,” Smith said.

For tickets or more information, please visit the Orpheum Theatre website or the Orpheum Theatre box office. There is also a discounted rate for Knox College students, faculty, and staff.

The program is partially supported by Healing Illinois, a statewide racial healing initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), in partnership with the Field Foundation and regional partners. Other support for this project comes from the Illinois Arts Council, the Karil Kirk-Ortner Memorial Dance Fund, the Knox College Cultural Events Committee, and the Knox College Dance Program.

Published on January 30, 2026

- Scott Holland, Knox Office of Communications