company

 artistic leadership

Close-up of a bald man with a smiling face, wearing a cream-colored shirt with a textured pattern, set against a dark green background.

william gill

Photo: Paul Araki Elliott

Artistic Director


William Gill (he/him) is a Chicago native who has taught and danced professionally throughout the US and internationally for the past 25 years. Will has worked with such noted dance legends as Donald Byrd, Alonzo King, Donald McKayle, and Milton Myers, (just to name a few), all while dancing for the acclaimed Dallas Black Dance Theatre for 9 seasons. One of many highlights with Dallas Black was when Will performed the legendary solo “Ostrich” at the Austrian Dance Festival, choreographed by the renowned Asadata Dafora. Since his return to Chicago, will has been teaching and choreographing at the Joel Hall Dancers & Center, Chicago Multicultural Dance Center, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Praize Productions, as well as Roosevelt University, where he was on Staff as a professor of dance in the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Will is also resident choreographer for the highly acclaimed and internationally known visual artist Nick Cave. He had the pleasure of working with Nick on his successful exhibit “Heard” when it toured across the United States, including New York's Grand Central Station, Australia, and Hong Kong.

In 2024, upon the recommendation of Joel Hall, the Board of Directors appointed WIlliam artistic director of Joel Hall Dancers & Center, where he artistically began as a company member. “It is such an honor and privilege to continue the legacy and work of Joel Hall while implementing new and fresh ideas through my voice.”

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joel hall

Photo: Paul Araki Elliott

Co-Founder, Artistic Director Emeritus


Joel Hall (He/Him), a native of Chicago’s Cabrini Green neighborhood, established and co-founded the Chicago City Theatre Company with Joseph Ehrenberg in 1974. This unique performing arts organization includes the Chicago City Theatre Company, the professional concert dance company, Joel Hall Dancers, and a training facility, the Joel Hall Dancers & Center.

Hall was the Artistic Director and prime choreographer for his dance company and the Chief Dance Instructor for the training studio from its inception to 2018. He has mentored dancers who direct Joel Hall Dancers II and Joel Hall Dancers Youth Company.

Hall remains active with the performing and training programs, leading classes online and in-person. He was named the 2025 "Dance Champion" by Dance/USA for his work and its influence within the local and national dance community.

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joel hall dancers - summer 2026

brandon avery

A young woman with dark skin and long braided hair, wearing a beige top, with her hand over her chest and a visible tattoo on her arm, against a blurred green background.

alana hawkins

A young woman with reddish-brown braided hair, wearing a brown top, resting her chin on her hand, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

talia howard

A woman with braided hair and gold hoop earrings, wearing a white lace top, is performing a meditation or yoga pose with her eyes half-open and hands in a mudra gesture, against a dark teal background.

dorianne thomas

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nia towe

apprentices

Madeline Denman

Sekani Jaimevadi

Leanna Lewis

Company Photos: Paul Araki Elliott

 see the werkq

summer performances

June 9: “Night Out In the Parks” - South Shore Cultural Center

July 30: “Night Out In the Parks” - Austin Town Hall

August 28: Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project @ Harris Theater

September 19: Chicago Live! at Navy Pier

September 30: “Dances On the Mall” on Sunnyside Mall

October 23: “Night Out In the Parks” - Douglass Park

Check out our events page for more details.

A dancer in a red jumpsuit in front of a line of dancers in red jumpsuits

The Joel Hall Dancers "Chicago Luvin'," Maiya Redding, choreographer Photo: Marc Monaghan, courtesy of Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project

The Joel Hall Dancers are a Chicago-based, internationally renowned Black Jazz dance company founded by Joel Hall and Joseph Ehrenberg. The Company performs the dynamic and exhilarating works of its 50-year repertoire of “Urban Jazz” for diverse audiences locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Joel Hall Dancers live to awaken the dancer in everyone’s soul and to share the legacy of Joel Hall’s artistry with the world.

If you are interested in becoming part of the Joel Hall Dancers, a professional performing company, please contact info@joelhall.org.

artistic staff

Emmanuel Ramirez-Hernandez, Ballet Master

artist in residence

50th Anniversary concert program

September 2024

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

  • 2025 “Dance Champion” award for Joel Hall from Dance/USA for his contributions to the dance community

  • Choreography for In the Shadow of Nina Simone was hailed with the African American Arts Alliance "Black Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance"

  • Named one of Chicago’s Cultural Treasures in 2021

  • Founding member of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project

  • Recipient of the "New Business of the Year Award" from the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce

  • Dance Magazine has hailed the Joel Hall Dancers as “Jazz Dance at its best”

medaase

medaase

Medaase means “Thank you” in the Twi language of Ghana. Medaase to the following supporters of Joel Hall Dancers & Center, its programs, and our community.

Poster commemorating the 25th anniversary of the PASS organization, with a logo at the top, and an advertisement for Joel Hall Dancers & Center as a concert level sponsor, including event information, contact details, and a message of support for the dancers.

Medaase to Dr. Jason Ingham and the staff of Advanced Spine and Sports Care for their sponsorship of the 2025-2026 Joel Hall Dancers season! Their sponsorship provides our dancers & staff with care for their bodies. Dance is a uniquely athletic art, and ASSC helps JHDC stay on our leg.

Two dancers in white pants and tops perform high-leg poses in an industrial rehearsal space with exposed black metal framing and concrete walls.

COMPANY AUDITIONS

The Joel Hall Dancers audition for Company Dancers by appointment. To be considered, please email a resume and brief introductory email to info@joelhall.org. If available, please include any links to a personal website or video reels of you dancing. All applications will be acknowledged.

If you have any questions, please email info@joelhall.org. No phone calls, please.

 jazzlab

Experience the legacy in motion with our ever-expanding virtual library.

VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL ➔

youth company

The Joel Hall Dance Youth Company (JHDYC) is a pre-professional dance company performing the unique and exhilarating works of Joel Hall throughout the region. Company members are selected from the most promising young dancers to study the artistry of Joel Hall and learn the profession of dance. JHDYC provides accessible excellence in Black jazz dance training for youth throughout Chicagoland.

If you are interested in becoming a part of Joel Hall Dancers Youth Company, please contact youthcompany@joelhall.org

celebrating

Black Dance

A woman with dreadlocks is wearing a white strapless dress and wide-leg pants, striking a dance pose against a gray background.

Ruby Levin, Joel Hall Dancers
photo: Rachel Neville Studios, courtesy of Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project

Black background with gold text that reads "Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project" and a stylized gold tree with roots at the bottom.

CHICAGO BLACK DANCE LEGACY PROJECT ➔

The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) celebrates the national impact of Black dance in the performing arts. It addresses historical inequities in arts funding by providing critical financial and operational support to Chicago-based Black dance makers.

Joel Hall Dancers & Center is one of the founding Chicago-based project partners, united in their shared vision for the continued vitality of Black dance forms and their commitment to long-term sustainability.

Logo for the International Association of Blacks in Dance with a globe and stylized text.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACKS IN DANCE ➔

The International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) preserves and promotes dance by people of African ancestry or origin, and assists and increases opportunities for artists in advocacy, audience development, education, funding, networking, performance, philosophical dialogue, and touring.

Joel Hall Dancers & Center is a long-standing member of the International Association of Blacks in Dance.

Black background with beige text that reads, 'BLK IS AMERICAN ART.'