Our 2026-2027 Season

Now in its fourth year, YDTGC returns with a family-friendly reimagining of this beloved Christmas classic. Join us for an unforgettable holiday tradition filled with heart, hope, and the joy of dance.

Date: December 5, 2026

Curtain: 6 p.m

Location: Madison Street Theater, 1010 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL

What happens when Chicago’s past reaches out to a new generation?

Inspired by the New York Times bestselling youth mystery Scritch Scratch by Lindsay Currie, What the River Remembers takes young dancers on a journey into Chicago’s fascinating past. The novel follows a curious young girl whose unexpected encounter with history leads her to discover the story of the 1915 Eastland disaster on the Chicago River.

Building from that spark, we’ll create an original dance collage that moves between past and present, exploring Chicago history through the eyes of the young, the curious, and the imaginative. Through dance, music, storytelling, and theatrical imagery, our dancers will discover how a city holds its memories—and how stories from long ago can still ripple into the lives of young people today.

Part mystery, part history, and entirely original, What the River Remembers invites young artists to discover what happens when the past reaches out and asks a new generation to listen. March performance dates and times coming soon! 

December 27-29, we will host a 15-hour intensive for the Spring Concert cast. We will get a head start on learning new choreography, settle into our roles, make props, and devise content. During the intensive, company members will enjoy an exclusive virtual Q&A with Lindsay Currie, #1 NYT Bestselling author of mysteries for young readers. Join the company and help bring this unforgettable story to life.