Christine Marie Rohde always finds a new path through the musical landscape of choreography. Sometimes, as in her work CAMARILLA from the Thodos Dance Chicago repertoire, she works to edgy, indie-style sounds, but her new work MEMENTO, premiering at NEW DANCES 2009 this July 17-19 takes a remarkable new direction, blending three very different musical styles. MEMENTO, performed by soloist Jackie Stewart, explores an individual’s relationship with experience. Rohde describes MEMENTO as “a reflection on the past”; she goes on to describe it as an exploration of the process of “shedding the memories which define who we are, and who we will become”. The solo incorporates the use of a small wooden box, that is the “partner” and expression of the weight the past holds.

In many ways, Christine epitomizes the Thodos Dance Chicago company philosophy, which equally emphasizes performance, choreography, and education. Besides her success as dancer and choreographer, she’s also been the administrator of TDC’s Dancer Wellness Program and the Artistic Director of the Thodos Dance Chicago/Menomonee Club Youth Ensemble. In addition to her success setting works like MEMENTO for professional dancers, she has also been remarkably effective in the development of young dancers in the Youth Ensemble program.