SHINE on PBS-WTTW

We’re less than a week from the broadcast premiere of TWO new films  from filmmaker Chris Olsen !

The first film, SHINE, is a half-hour documentary which captures a visceral portrait of the creativity and choreographic process that gave rise to the Thodos Dance Chicago story ballet by Melissa Thodos and Ann Reinking called A LIGHT IN THE DARK: THE STORY OF HELEN KELLER AND ANNE SULLIVAN. Watch inspirational behind-the-scenes events, experience intimate closed-door rehearsals, and hear compelling insights on the ballet-making process from co-creators Melissa Thodos and Ann Reinking, as well as many of the dancers who helped bring this tale of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan to life. SHINE premieres on PBS-WTTW September 8^th, beginning at 1:30PM, on PBS-WTTW (Channel 11).

The second is THODOS DANCE CHICAGO’S A LIGHT IN THE DARK, which is a complete performance-on-film of the Ann Reinking and Melissa Thodos created story ballet itself.  Audiences that may have missed the live stage performances this spring in Chicago, have a new opportunity to experience the critically acclaimed story ballet A LIGHT IN THE DARK from the best seat in the house. Featuring the choreography of Ann Reinking and Melissa Thodos, original music from composer Bruce Wolosoff, and brilliant dance performances from Thodos Dance Chicago (Including Jessica Miller Tomlinson as ‘Helen Keller’, and Alissa Tollefson as ‘Anne Sullivan’) this incredible ballet interprets the early life of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan through dance. THODOS DANCE CHICAGO’S A LIGHT IN THE DARK premieres on PBS-WTTW September 8^th, beginning at 2:00PM, on PBS-WTTW (Channel 11).