The critically acclaimed Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC), a Chicago-based company whose internationally-celebrated versatility and percussive power have been hailed as “impossibly complex” (The New York Times) and “sophisticated and commanding” (Los Angeles Times), will launch its 35th Anniversary season at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in May. Led by the consistent pioneering vision of Founding Artistic Director Mark Howard, the 35-year evolution of this company is leading to a flurry of major milestone moments - including the world premiere of groundbreaking work at the MCA, the company’s Jacob’s Pillow debut, and administrative and artistic expansion.
MCA 35th Anniversary Kick-Off: May 16-18
The highly anticipated main event will be the world premiere of "The Sash," and its companion dance, "Taking the Mick," which celebrated its premiere last spring at TIDC’s annual Auditorium Theatre performance.
Two years in the making, these companion works are inspired by the Irish on both sides of the pond: "Taking the Mick," “whimsy meets percussive ferocity” (Chicago Reader) choreographed by Howard and Associate Artistic Director and dancer Chelsea Hoy, is set against a vaudevillian era narrative that dances amongst the madness between Irish immigrant insecurities, social mobility, one-upmanship and assimilation into America.
"The Sash," choreographed by Founding Artistic Director Mark Howard, Associate Artistic Director and dancer Chelsea Hoy and guest contemporary choreographer Stephanie Martinez, founder and Artistic Director of Chicago’s PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, presents an unprecedented movement vocabulary that brings the virtuosity and versatility of TIDC’s artists to a new level. Fusing Irish precision, traditions, and history with contemporary flair, "The Sash" brings to life Northern Irish composer Kevin Sharkey’s dream inspired by his childhood during the “Northern Ireland Troubles,” and reminding audiences that unity is stronger than conflict.
Set to a rousing score by Sharkey, the world premiere also features dialogue from the hit television series Derry Girls as well as spoken text provided by acclaimed Irish actress Eva Birthistle of the famed television series Bad Sisters.
“These companion works and their range represent a sort of ‘Sergeant Pepper’ moment for us,” says Howard. “Ours is a company that continuously and seamlessly re-grows to meet its expanding potential. Our artists’ movement vocabulary and prowess are developing at breakneck speed, and as choreographers, we love nothing more than to create new landscapes and open up new portals for our company members to soar through.”
The program will be rounded out with audience favorites that showcase the range of TIDC’s genre-defying repertoire, including Howard’s "Push," an explosion of hard-driving percussive power demonstrates the company’s consistent message of female empowerment; and Michelle Dorrance and Melinda Sullivan's "American Traffic," a hybrid of Irish step and American tap that plays at the intersection of rhythmic sensibilities and rebellious histories, amongst others. The program will feature original live music performed by TIDC’s band, fronted by Killarney-raised, New York City-based Brenoshea; company member Francisco Lemus who was named in Dance Magazine’s 2025 “Top 25 to Watch,” and a prelude that will introduce audiences to ten international dancers that make up TIDC’s brand-new Training Company, showcasing the high-powered athleticism of these new artists hailing from the US, Mexico, and Canada.
The four-performance series at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., May 16-18 will include:
- Friday, May 16: 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. - Opening night performance and 35th Anniversary gala celebration
- Saturday, May 17: 2 p.m. matinee and 7:30 p.m. performance
- Sunday, May 18: 1 p.m. matinee
The opening night performance and gala celebration will honor Trinity Warrior Award recipient Mark Kelly, former commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and Agnes Howard Award recipient Rie McGarry, who served as TIDC’s devoted costume manager and traveled with the company for more than a decade. The post-performance celebration will also feature drinks, light fare and celebrating with the artists. Tickets for TIDC’s MCA engagement are on sale now and range from $40 to $80. Tickets for the opening night gala performance are priced at $275.
MAKING HISTORY - JACOB’S PILLOW
Following their MCA engagement, TIDC will celebrate their debut at Jacob’s Pillow, America’s longest running international dance festival, which celebrates its 93rd season in Summer 2025. Their engagement will feature six performances from July 10-13.
"Trinity Irish Dance Company embodies the spirit of tradition and innovation that we look for," said Jacob’s Pillow’s Executive and Artistic Director Pamela Tatge. “The company's commitment to blending the bold energy of Irish dance with contemporary sensibilities is unmatched. Their performances will mark the first time Jacob’s Pillow has presented a full program of Irish dance on the Ted Shawn Theatre stage. We can’t wait to celebrate their 35th Anniversary with their Jacob’s Pillow debut.”
For tickets and more information about their 35th Anniversary Season, please visit https://trinityirishdancecompany.com/performances/.
EXPANSION
Leading into its 35th Anniversary Season, TIDC is celebrating artistic and administrative expansion. The company recently welcomed a longtime leader in the Chicago dance community, former executive director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and River North Dance Chicago, Gail Kalver, to their team as Development Manager and Board Liaison. In response to growing interest from elite dancers around the globe to join TIDC’s mission and study Howard’s unique movement genre, known as progressive Irish dance, TIDC launched a new Training Company this fall.
About MARK HOWARD:
For three and a half decades, this Emmy Award winning choreographer has been transcending craft to produce art that simultaneously represents the past while looking to the future. Born in Yorkshire, England and raised in Chicago’s Rogers Park, Howard began dancing at eight, teaching at 17, launched the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance by age 20, and had coached the first team to win a world championship gold for the United States by age 25, subsequently going on to to redefine what was possible for American teams, becoming the first to win gold in all team categories. In 1990, the non-profit Trinity Irish Dance Company was formed to celebrate and further Howard’s distinct movement genre ‘progressive Irish dance’. In the late 80’s and early 90’s Howard was a regular guest on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson and has worked extensively in TV and film, including with a wealth of celebrities from Tom Hanks and Conan O’Brien to Jimmy Fallon and Oprah Winfrey, to name a few. His work has brought numerous grants and awards, from choreographer’s fellowships with the National Endowment for the Arts to his recent induction into the 2023 Irish American Hall of Fame.
About CHELSEA HOY:
At age 29, Chelsea Hoy has already become a major player in the performing arts world. Hoy’s work as a choreographer and dancer has been celebrated by audiences and critics worldwide - from New York City’s Joyce Theater to Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre to Tokyo’s Orchard Hall. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, she relocated to Chicago, joining the Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC) and receiving a B.S. in Psychology, a B.A. in Photography, and a minor in math from Loyola University Chicago. Named TIDC’s Associate Artistic Director in 2018, Hoy’s diverse skill set and affinity for connecting with her community made her uniquely equipped for a career in the performing arts. As a formidable performer, choreographer, Associate Artistic Director, and organizational leader, Hoy has been at the heart of shaping and evolving this important cultural organization throughout the past decade. A powerful activist and artist, Hoy is uniquely equipped to join Howard to spearhead the future of this cultural art form.
About STEPHANIE MARTINEZ:
Stephanie Martinez, a Chicago-based choreographer, captivates audiences with her dynamic, award-winning works crafted over 15+ years. Her creations have been commissioned by major companies like Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Hispánico, BalletX, and Bruce Wood Dance, as well as Chicago Shakespeare Theater and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Known for her bold, contemporary voice, Martinez has produced over 70 pieces that expand the boundaries of dance. Celebrated as a trailblazing female artist of color, her achievements have earned grants and high praise, with the Chicago Tribune calling her a “chameleon” of choreography. Martinez is also the founder of PARA.MAR Dance Theatre.
About TRINITY IRISH DANCE COMPANY:
The Chicago-based Trinity Irish Dance Company is the high watermark of the art form; a uniquely Irish-American dance legacy that is rooted in tradition, yet forward-looking and ever-evolving. The result is a fresh, engaging, and integrity-filled vision that goes beyond the source without losing touch with its essence. Founded in 1990 as a way to celebrate Founding Artistic Director Mark Howard’s pioneering vision, TIDC is the birthplace of progressive Irish dance, an innovative movement genre which opened new avenues of artistic freedom that led directly to commercial productions such as Riverdance. TIDC has significantly changed the direction and scope of Irish dance, re-introducing the art form as the phenomenon it is today. Considered an American treasure by critics and enthusiasts worldwide, The company’s history includes sold-out tours in Europe, Asia, and North America, performances in distinguished venues such as New York City’s Joyce Theater, Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center, and Tokyo’s Orchard Hall, among many others, collaborations with internationally-renowned choreographers of different movement genres, and the creation of a diverse repertoire that continues to redefine what is possible for Irish dance. With a unique blend of uncompromising power and grace, TIDC sends a consistent message of female empowerment with a repertory that has elevated the art form for nearly three decades. For more information, visit TrinityIrishDanceCompany.com and follow us on Facebook or Instagram.