March Moves: Dance takes center stage at Governors State University

By Jane Cox, Guest Writer

Celebrate movement, rhythm, and artistry this March at Governors State University (GovState) as dance takes center stage at the Center for Performing Arts (the Center). 

With “All That Jazz” by Theatre and Performance Studies and the GovState Dance Company and a performance of “Unleash the Beats” by Chicago Tap Theatre, the month highlights the Center’s role as a creative home for students, alumni, professional artists, and young audiences—and as a premier venue for dance in the region.

Showcasing the talent and creative energy of GovState students, alumni and faculty, “All That Jazz” will be presented in two formats that reflect the Center’s commitment to artistic excellence, education, and access.

A shortened, school-day version will be performed on Thursday, March 5 at 10 a.m. for hundreds of elementary through high school students, offering young audiences the opportunity to experience live dance in a professional theatre setting. These student matinees connect classroom learning with the performing arts and help introduce students to dance as a creative outlet and a potential career path.

Two full-length performances will be presented on Saturday, March 7 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., inviting the broader community to experience the complete production. Together, these performances demonstrate how the Center supports both emerging artists and audience development through thoughtfully layered programming.

With “Unleash the Beats,” Chicago Tap Theatre will bring the electrifying art of tap dance to the Center on Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. Known for blending percussive movement, musicality, and contemporary storytelling, the company pushes the boundaries of tap as a rhythmic and theatrical form. Their performance underscores dance as a living, evolving art rooted in tradition while actively engaging with modern themes and audiences.

As March celebrates movement on stage, it also reflects the Center’s broader mission: to educate, inspire, and connect communities through the power of the performing arts. Looking ahead, the Center’s investment in dance continues into the next season, with plans that include world-class artists and future collaboration. 

To purchase tickets, click here.

Jane Cox is Cultural Marketing Director for the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University.