Celebrate the Power of Women in Dance
In a cultural moment calling for equity, representation and the amplification of diverse voices, La Femme Dance Festival rises as a powerful tribute to the brilliance, resilience and global impact of Black women in dance. Now entering its 5th edition, this biennial festival—curated by our founder and Walder Foundation Fellow Vershawn Sanders‑Ward—has become both an essential Chicago arts event and a national platform for choreographic excellence rooted in the Black/African Diaspora.
Tickets start at $24
YOUR LA FEMME EXPERIENCE
What to Expect at La Femme Dance Festival
Whether you're a longtime dance fan or attending your first contemporary dance performance, we welcome you!
Saturday, March 28, 7:30 PM
An intimate 90-minute evening at The Harris Theater featuring:
Pre-show choreographers' talk where you'll hear directly from the artists
Full-length performance showcasing world premieres and signature dance works
Mix of dance styles, including tap dance, jazz, Afro-contemporary, and contemporary
Exciting music spanning pop and jazz, and even spoken word poetry as accompaniment
Tickets start at $24 with group discounts available for parties of 10+.
First time at a contemporary dance performance? You're in good company. La Femme is inviting audiences with varied backgrounds to join us, including school groups, women’s professional communities, sororities, and Black-led organizations. Not everyone has a close connection to or background in dance, but everyone wants to shine a spotlight on women’s accomplishments and artistry. The pre-show talk offers context that enriches the experience, and you're welcome to simply let the music and dancing move you!
A FESTIVAL WITH PURPOSE
Women's artistry is consistently relegated to smaller spaces.
“Women are still being given fewer opportunities on the largest stages, which reinforces an inequitable cycle.” – Jenna Magrath, Dance Data Project, 2025
According to recent Dance Data Project research across 116 performing arts centers, only 31.4% of the 2,221 dance works presented were choreographed by women.
Since its inception, La Femme has become both an essential Chicago arts event and a national platform for choreographic excellence by women whose work is rooted in the Black/African Diaspora.
This 5th edition, curated by Walder Foundation Fellow and Red Clay Dance Company founder Vershawn Sanders-Ward, brings together a constellation of artists whose work pushes boundaries and expands the future of dance. Over two dynamic days, audiences and artists will experience dance as both cultural expression and catalyst for change.
This is more than a performance series—it is a movement, a celebration of legacy, a testament to leadership and a declaration of limitless artistry.
2026 Festival Schedule
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
Masterclass with Rena Butler
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Red Clay Dance Center, 808 E 63rd Street
Chicago-born and internationally celebrated, choreographer Rena Butler leads a high-energy, movement-driven masterclass for professional and pre-professional dancers.
Duration: 90 minutes
Capacity: Limited to 28 participants
What to bring: Dance attire, water bottle, open heart & mind
Cost: $25
Space fills quickly—this is your chance to train with one of contemporary dance's most exciting voices.
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
Pre‑Show Choreographers’ Talk (Included with ticket)
7:00 PM | Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph Street
Join the artists for an intimate conversation about their work, creative process, and what inspires them. This 30-minute discussion offers valuable context and deepens your experience of the performance.
Mainstage Performance
7:30 PM | Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph Street
An electric evening showcasing some of the most exciting voices in contemporary dance:
WORLD PREMIERE BY RENA BUTLER
Her Table — Choreographed by Rena Butler, performed by Red Clay Dance Company
A powerful new work created specifically for this festivalRED CLAY DANCE COMPANY REPERTORY
Unconditional Conditions and Love Letters to Chi-IL by Vershawn Sanders-WardGUEST PERFORMANCES
Chloé Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies
Founded by Chloé and Maud Arnold, this globally celebrated tap ensemble delivers an electrifying, female-powered experience that has captivated audiences from The Ellen Show to Good Morning America.South Chicago Dance Theatre
Performing an excerpt from choreographer Kia Smith's Memoirs of Jazz in the Alley, celebrating the rich cultural legacy of Chicago's South Side.
Performance Details
Total runtime: Approximately 90 minutes (including pre-show talk & intermission)
Seating: Reserved seating
Accessibility: Harris Theater is ADA compliant, featuring wheelchair-accessible entrances, restrooms, and designated seating
Transportation & Parking: Accessible via public transportation, car, bike, or on foot; The Harris Theater validates parking for the following garages: Millennium Park, Lakeside, Grant Park North, and Grant Park South
TICKETS & GROUP SALES
Individual Tickets: Starting at $24.20
Groups of 10+: Special group rates available
Contact the box office by phone (312-334-7777) or email info@harristheaterchicago.org
Can't attend but want to support? Consider a tax-deductible donation to support the festival.
MEET THE 2026 ARTISTS
RENA BUTLER | Guest Choreographer & Master Teacher
Rena Butler, a Chicago native, has performed with acclaimed companies such as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (also a Choreographic Fellow), AIM by Kyle Abraham, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, and Gibney Company (also the inaugural Choreographic Associate). For La Femme 2026, she premieres Her Table, a new commission created specifically for Red Clay Dance Company.
VERSHAWN SANDERS-WARD | Curator, Artistic Director & Choreographer
Walder Foundation Fellow and Red Clay Dance Company founder, Vershawn Sanders-Ward has dedicated her career to elevating Black women's voices in dance. Her choreography centers the experiences of the Black/African Diaspora while pushing the boundaries of contemporary movement.
CHLOE ARNOLD’S SYNCOPATED LADIES | Guest Artists & Choreographers
Chloé Arnold, founder of Syncopated Ladies, is an Emmy-nominated Choreographer and Tap Dancer, discovered at a young age in Washington, DC, by Debbie Allen. Syncopated Ladies’ viral videos have garnered over 200 million views, and this live show marks their Chicago performance debut.
SOUTH CHICAGO DANCE THEATRE | Guest Artists performing work by Artistic Director Kia S. Smith
Kia S. Smith is a Chicago native and the Founder, Director of Vision and Strategy, and Resident Choreographer for South Chicago Dance Theatre. Kia was named a Rising Star in 2023 by Chicago Magazine, one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” for 2024, a “breakout artist” by WBEZ, and Chicago News Weekly designated Kia “one of the fastest rising stars of the dance world today.”
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
La Femme Dance Festival 2026 is made possible through the generous support of:
Interested in becoming a festival sponsor? Contact us at info@redclaydance.com
READY TO EXPERIENCE LA FEMME?
Questions? Contact Red Clay Dance Company: info@redclaydance.com