KENNESAW, Ga. | Dec 18, 2025

For nearly five decades, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been one of the most influential forces in contemporary dance, known for its daring repertory, world-class dancers and collaborations with today’s leading choreographic voices.

On January 30 and 31, the internationally celebrated company returns to Atlanta for their KSU debut with two performances at the Marietta Campus Dance Theater, alongside a multi-day residency with the Department of Dance that includes classes, mentorship and an open community class for dancers of all levels.

_{Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in IMPASSE by Johan Inger. Photo by Kristie Kahns.}

Among the artists returning to campus is Simone Stevens, a company dancer with Hubbard Street and a proud alumna of the Geer College of the Arts. For Stevens, this engagement is more than a tour stop; it’s a full-circle moment that reflects the power of education and artistic community.

We spoke with Stevens about her journey from KSU to the international stage, what audiences can expect from a Hubbard Street performance, and why bringing contemporary dance into educational and community spaces matters now more than ever.
 

Q&A with Simone Stevens
Company Dancer, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago | KSU Class of ‘17

You’ve spoken so warmly about your time at Kennesaw State. How do you see KSU’s role in shaping your career as an artist?

I really wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Kennesaw. When I arrived, I had a pretty narrow idea of what a career in dance even looked like.

During my freshman year, I was exposed — almost accidentally — to Hubbard Street through a senior who was from Chicago and that completely shifted my perspective.

KSU introduced me to a much broader world of dance: different companies, different aesthetics, artists from across the country and internationally. That exposure helped me understand what kind of art I wanted to be part of and what kind of environment I wanted to grow in. I didn’t know it at the time, but those moments really jump-started everything.

What does a typical day look like for you now as a professional dancer with Hubbard Street?

Most days are full-time — usually 10 to 6. We start with class, often ballet, and then move into about six hours of rehearsal. Depending on the season, we might be creating entirely new work or preparing for tour.

Right now, we’re in a creative process where nothing is set; we’re exploring, investigating and building ideas together rather than learning fixed choreography. When we’re touring, the structure shifts a bit, but the rhythm is consistent. It’s demanding, but it’s also deeply collaborative.

When audiences see a Hubbard Street performance, what do you hope they leave feeling or thinking about?

I always hope people feel a sense of connection. Sometimes dancers can feel distant or untouchable on stage, but I want audiences to feel like we’re close — that we’re people they can relate to.

I hope they leave with joy, curiosity or even just a feeling they can’t quite name. Contemporary dance doesn’t always ask you to “understand” a storyline. Instead, it invites you to experience something personally, and that experience is just as valid as anyone else’s in the room.

_{Photo by Michelle Reid.}

 

Why do you think contemporary dance is important in today’s world?

There isn’t one right way to interpret what you’re seeing. What you feel is valid, even if it’s completely different from the person sitting next to you.

That openness can spark conversation — people talking afterward about what moved them, what surprised them, what they saw differently. 

In that way, contemporary dance becomes a space for connection across perspectives and backgrounds.

Hubbard Street performs all over the world. How does dancing on a college campus feel different?

College campuses are really special. Beyond the performances, we get to teach classes and connect directly with students, which creates an immediate relationship with the audience.

You remember what it felt like to be in their position — excited, unsure, hungry for what’s next. Seeing professionals on stage doesn’t prescribe a single path, but it makes possibility tangible. It makes a future in dance feel real.

This residency includes an open community class for all levels. Why is that important?

Sometimes dance can feel elite or inaccessible, and that’s not what it has to be. Open classes help bridge that gap. Everyone can come in, experience the movement, and take something meaningful away, regardless of background or training.

That kind of access is powerful. It reminds people that dance belongs to everyone.

Are there lessons from your time at KSU that you still carry with you today?

Absolutely. One of the most important lessons I learned was that dance is never just about the person on stage. It’s about everyone involved — from the choreographer to the technicians to the teachers who pour into students long before the curtain rises.
That sense of shared effort and community still grounds me. It’s a reminder that there are many meaningful paths in the arts, all of them valuable.

What advice would you give to current dance students imagining their future?

Try not to believe there’s only one path. Think about the kind of impact you want to have and the people you want to work with, and let that guide you. Your journey won’t look like anyone else’s — and that’s okay.

If opportunities come up to step outside your usual environment, take them when you can. There’s so much dance in the world, and every experience adds to how you understand yourself as an artist.
 

_{Hubbard Street Dancers Jacqueline Burnett, Jack Henderson, and David Schultz in IMPASSE by Johan Inger. Photo by Michelle Reid.}

 

Experience Hubbard Street at Kennesaw State University this January

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s return to Kennesaw is both a major cultural moment for the region and a powerful example of how world-class artists can engage deeply with students and the broader community.

Open Community Class
Wednesday, January 28 | 6:00 PM
KSU Department of Dance
1200 Chastain Road NW, Ste. 300
Open to all levels

Performances
January 30 & 31 | 8:00 PM
Dance Theatre, Marietta Campus
860 Rossbacher Way
Reserve Tickets

For audiences, dancers and arts supporters alike, this residency offers a rare opportunity to experience contemporary dance at the highest level — up close, in community and in conversation with the next generation of artists.