Timeless Stories. Living Art. Community in Motion
Our original productions bring timeless stories to life, empowering youth and uniting communities through dance.
upcoming auditions
Auditions for 2026 An [Urban] Christmas Carol are Sunday, July 12, 2026
Come help us create a holiday tradition filled with joy, hope, community, and amazing dances. Join our company of young dancers for a fresh, family-friendly all-dance reimagining of the Dickens classic featuring larger-than-life characters! We are casting for:
✨ Scrooge
✨ Jacob Marley
✨ Bob Cratchit
✨ Tiny Tim
✨ The Spirits of Christmas
✨ Several fun supporting roles
✨ And an unforgettable ensemble that brings the story to life.
Whether you're an experienced dancer or performing in a professionally produced show for the first time, we want to see you!
📅 Auditions: Sunday, July 12, 2026 @11:15 am -12:45 pm
📍 6829 Stanley Ave, Berwyn, IL
🎭 Ages 7–18
🎬 Audition fee: $25 per dancer
🎬 Production fee: $225 per dancer
Performance: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 6 p.m.
All dancers who audition will be in the show, cast in age and skill appropriate roles.
Rehearsals: Sundays 12-5 p.m., beginning August 16, 2026 through showtime.
Join Us
PARENT INFO MEETING
Catch the replay of the July 1st parent info meeting! Email us for access!
Welcome!
Welcome to The Youth Dance Theater of Greater Chicago!
As Artistic Director, I want to personally thank you for visiting our website and learning more about our exciting new journey. We are thrilled to bring young motivated dancers together in a vibrant, inspiring environment where artistry and excellence flourish.
The Youth Dance Theater of Greater Chicago cultivates artistic excellence and leadership in young people through rigorous dance training and original, story-driven productions. While inclusive of all genders, our work intentionally expands access, representation, and high-level performance opportunities for adolescent girls from historically underrepresented Chicago communities.
YDTGC primarily serves dancers ages 10–19 from Berwyn and Cicero as well as the neighboring Chicago communities of Little Village, Austin, and Garfield Ridge. Many of our students are Latina or of mixed-ethnic backgrounds and are first-generation Americans. Our faculty, predominantly women of color from the communities we serve, model professional excellence and creative leadership while mentoring the next generation of young artists.
We invite you to be part of this journey—whether as a dancer, audience member, or supporter. Stay connected with us on social media for updates, upcoming performances, and behind-the-scenes moments.
We look forward to seeing you at the theater!
Margo Ruark
Artistic Director
Youth Dance Theater of Greater Chicago
celebrating Youth Through Dance PERFORMANCE
Our COMMUNITY
The Youth Dance Theater of Greater Chicago (YDTGC) is the company in residence at Baila Conmigo/Dance With Me! offering quality children's productions in a fun, creative, artistic environment. YDTGC gives the talented, motivated children in the greater Chicago area the opportunity to perform in full scale stage productions and cultivate their unique talents. Each production is approximately an hour in length making it attainable for both the young performers and even the youngest audience members. YDTGC will also be seen around the community performing in various festivals and events, teaching the children commitment, and the importance of giving back to the community. Every child deserves the opportunity to be a superstar on our stage, so we accept all interested dancers into our program!
Our Artistic Home
YDTGC is the resident performing arts company of Baila Conmigo/Dance With Me in Berwyn, IL. We are located conveniently across from the Berwyn Metra Station in the Historic Depot District.