What Deeply Rooted Dance Theater does

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater is a Chicago-based nonprofit professional dance company founded in 1995 by Kevin Iega Jeff and Gary Abbott. The organization produces contemporary dance performances that unite modern, classical, American, and African American traditions, performing at premier Chicago venues including the Auditorium Theatre, Harris Theater, the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and Ravinia, and participating in citywide cultural events such as Dance for Life and DanceAfrica Chicago. Beyond performances, the company operates a multi-tier dance education pipeline spanning a Summer Dance Intensive, Youth Ensemble (ages 12–18), Emerging Artists Ensemble, Adult Dance Classes, and specialized Mature H.O.T. Women and Men Moving programs, all delivered from its studio in residence with Ballet Chicago at 17 North State Street and community partner sites.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue structure combining earned income from ticket sales (sold direct via Ticketspice/Zeffy) and tuition from education programs, with contributed income from individual donations (Legacy Circle monthly giving program), corporate sponsorships, and institutional grants. Foundation support is concentrated at the upper tiers — Mellon Foundation ($1,000,000+), MacArthur Foundation ($100,000–$999,999), Joyce Foundation, and Reva and David Logan Foundation — underwriting a substantial share of operations. Free community programming (Night Out in the Parks, Deeply At Dusk series) extends audience reach and fulfills the mission of cultural access. The organization also recently launched an adjacent initiative, the Deeply Rooted Center for Black Dance and Creative Communities, signaling programmatic expansion.

Current leadership comprises Co-Founder and Creative/Executive Director Kevin Iega Jeff (2025 See Chicago Dance Legacy Award recipient), Co-Founder and Associate Artistic Director Gary Abbott, Artistic Director Nicole Clarke-Springer, Dance Education Director Tracey Franklin, and Company Manager Ricky Davis. The organization reports 1–10 employees and operates as an independent nonprofit with no disclosed parent, venture, or private equity backing.

Name

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater

Legal name

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater

Website

https://deeplyrooteddancetheater.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater is a 30-year-old Chicago nonprofit professional dance company that produces contemporary performances merging modern, classical, and African American traditions, and operates a multi-tier dance education pipeline (Summer Intensive, Youth Ensemble, Adult Classes) serving audiences, students, and Chicago's Black dance community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts

NAICS

Dance Companies (711120)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Contemporary & Modern Dance (MPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH), Dance Theatre (Narrative/Experimental) (MPAGADAC)

Keywords

• Contemporary dance performances
• Dance education programs
• Professional dance company
• Community dance workshops
• Summer dance intensive

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Performance Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from selling tickets to professional company performances at major Chicago venues and touring engagements. Tickets are sold through the company's website and partner box offices.
2. Dance Education Programs: Revenue from Summer Dance Intensive programs, Youth Ensemble, Emerging Artists Ensemble, Adult Dance Classes, and Mature H.O.T. Women/Men Moving community programs.
3. Individual Donations and Membership: The Legacy Circle monthly and annual donor program, one-time gifts, and major gifts supporting artistic work and community programs.
4. Institutional Grants and Foundation Support: Support from major foundations including Mellon Foundation, Joyce Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Reva and David Logan Foundation, and government cultural affairs grants.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship opportunities for the 30th Anniversary celebration and ongoing programs from corporate partners like The International Association of Blacks in Dance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater operates a professional contemporary dance company that performs at major Chicago venues including the Auditorium Theatre, Harris Theater, and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. The company also delivers a continuum of dance education programs — Summer Dance Intensive, Youth Ensemble, Emerging Artists Ensemble, Adult Dance Classes, Mature H.O.T. Women, and Men Moving — that train dancers from youth through professional levels.

Product overview

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater is a performing arts organization offering a single unified product portfolio centered on professional dance performances and comprehensive dance education programs. The core offerings include the professional dance company performing at major Chicago venues, the Summer Dance Intensive (SDI) for intensive training, Youth Ensemble for ages 12-18, Emerging Artists Ensemble for pre-professional development, Adult Dance Classes for ages 20+, and specialized programs including Mature H.O.T. Women and Men Moving. The organization also operates the Legacy Circle donor program. These programs work together to provide a continuum of dance education from youth through professional levels, united by the company's mission to celebrate Black stories and experiences through dance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Deeply Rooted Center for Black Dance and Creative Communities: A separate initiative/center focused on Black dance and creative communities.

Products and services

• Professional Dance Company Performances The core professional company product delivers live contemporary dance performances at major Chicago venues including the Auditorium Theatre, Harris Theater, and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, as well as free community performances in Chicago parks. Works unite modern, classical, American, and African American dance traditions and are intended for general arts audiences, school groups, and community attendees.
• Summer Dance Intensive (SDI) An intensive summer program offering technical training and artistic development for dancers, featuring curriculum in Horton, Graham, ballet, and contemporary movement, culminating in a public showcase performance. Intended for aspiring pre-professional and intermediate dancers.
• Youth Ensemble A seasonal program for dancers ages 12-18 providing technical training in Ballet, Modern, and African-based techniques with repertory workshops and performance opportunities throughout the year.
• Emerging Artists Ensemble A pre-professional training program for aspiring dance artists providing advanced instruction and performance experience in the company's artistic style.
• Adult Dance Classes Dance classes designed for adults ages 20 and up, focusing on various dance techniques and artistic expression across modern, ballet, and contemporary styles.
• Mature H.O.T. Women A community program for women who are Health-conscious, Optimistic, and Triumphant, providing technical training and repertory workshops combining modern, ballet, and African dance techniques.
• Men Moving A program designed for men seeking a healthy, generative, and supportive movement environment, offering technical training through modern and African dance techniques.
• Legacy Circle Donor Program Deeply Rooted's recurring donor recognition and giving program that provides exclusive access to behind-the-scenes events, insider updates, and digital content for monthly and annual donors supporting artistic work and community programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30 years of continuous operation as a professional dance company
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The International Association of Blacks in DanceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026$10,000 level sponsor of the 30th Anniversary 'This One's for the Culture' fundraiser. Organization dedicated to ensuring Black dance and dancers are visible, valued, and treated fairly.
• Auditorium TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Primary Chicago performance venue hosting Deeply Rooted's major productions including the 30th Anniversary Season. The historic Auditorium Theatre presents the company's annual performances and student matinees, offering group discounts and premium seating options.
• Chicago Black Dance Legacy ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Deeply Rooted is a founding member company of the CBDLP, an initiative of the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. The project celebrates and strengthens Black dance in Chicago through collaborative performances featuring multiple companies.
• Chicago SinfoniettacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Ongoing collaboration pairing Deeply Rooted's dancers with the symphony orchestra. Most recent collaboration 'Still I Rise' Women's Month Concert featuring works by Florence Price and Shirley J. Thompson, conducted by Mei-Ann Chen.
• Muntu Dance TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaborative performances showcasing authentic African and African-American dance traditions. Joint programming includes DanceAfrica Chicago and combined company shows at Governors State University.
• Bronzeville WineryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Culinary partnership for 'Dinner & A Show' experience accompanying 30th Anniversary performances. Reservations through OpenTable allow diners to enjoy pre-fixe meals before attending Deeply Rooted shows at Logan Center.
• Ballet ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Deeply Rooted operates its production office and dance studios 'in residence' with Ballet Chicago at 17 North State Street. This provides studio space for company rehearsals, Youth Ensemble classes, and adult programming. Discount parking available through Ballet Chicago.
• RaviniaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Summer performance venue for collaborative presentations including Ruth Page Civic Ballet and Friends and Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project: Metamorphosis at Ravinia.
• Navy PierminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Host venue for the annual Chicago Live! free performing arts festival where Deeply Rooted performs alongside 100+ artists and organizations.
• DanceAfrica ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Deeply Rooted participates in the annual DanceAfrica Chicago festival presented by Muntu Dance Theatre, showcasing Black dance excellence in the Midwest.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Joffrey Ballet: A premier Chicago-based ballet company with a large performance season and academy at the Auditorium Theatre. Comparable as a major Chicago dance tenant of shared venues, though stylistically focused on classical and contemporary ballet.
• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: The flagship U.S. modern dance company celebrating Black dance traditions, with a much larger national and international footprint. Comparable mission of uniting African American heritage with modern choreography, though at substantially greater scale.

Direct peers

• Dance Theatre of Harlem: A New York-based company that blends classical ballet with African American artistic expression. Directly comparable mission of centering Black artistry and storytelling in a major U.S. dance market.
• Muntu Dance Theatre: A Chicago-based Black dance company also focused on African and African-American dance traditions. Deeply Rooted and Muntu co-present programs like DanceAfrica Chicago and appear together in CBDLP collaborations, making them the closest local peer.
• Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: A leading Chicago contemporary dance company that commissions and presents new works by major choreographers. Shares Deeply Rooted's Chicago base, contemporary repertoire, and reliance on the same major venues like the Harris Theater.
• Complexions Contemporary Ballet: A contemporary ballet company blending classical technique with modern and cultural forms, founded by former Alvin Ailey dancers. Shares Deeply Rooted's mission of fusing African American and classical traditions in a touring contemporary company.

Emerging players

• Chicago Human Rhythm Project: A Chicago-based organization producing and presenting tap, percussion dance, and rhythm-based work with educational programming. Comparable in being a Chicago dance presenter with a community education mission and tap/dance festival programming.
• Ailey II: The junior company of Alvin Ailey, focused on emerging dancers in modern and African American choreography. Comparable in its focus on cultivating the next generation of Black dance talent, mirroring Deeply Rooted's Emerging Artists Ensemble.

Regional players

• Ballet Chicago: A Chicago classical ballet training and performing organization that hosts Deeply Rooted's studios in residence. Operates in the same city and shares the studio ecosystem, though its artistic focus is classical rather than contemporary fusion.
• Giordano Dance Chicago: A Chicago-based jazz dance company that presents both performance seasons and education programming. Operates in the same metro and venue ecosystem, with a similar mix of ticketed performances and school outreach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/deeplyrooteddancetheater
• Facebookfacebook.com/DeeplyRootedDance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deeply-rooted-dance-theater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Deeply Rooted Dance Theater