Kevin Shannon | Life After Juilliard

Exploring different ways of being an artist

I joined Hubbard Street Dance Chicago after graduating, in 2007. I started out as the youngest dancer in the company at that time and never dreamed I would make it through 13 seasons here. As a professional dancer, I have performed all over the world, from Los Angeles to Casablanca to Tel Aviv. Beyond performing, I have given dance workshops for Chicago public school teachers, worked with Hubbard Street’s youth program, and currently teach company classes. And in 2020, I received my official certification to teach Image Tech, the training program developed by former Juilliard faculty member Alexandra Wells. I have reconnected with many fellow Juilliard alumni and faculty as they have passed through the doors of Hubbard Street to set works, to teach, and to become fellow company members. After an injury midway through my career, I was forced to take time off and started taking ceramics classes, something I hadn’t done since childhood. Because of ceramics, I grew to know an entirely new community of artists, and I now sell my work to various restaurants and retail stores in Chicago. I also met my husband, Craig Black (BFA ’11 dance), a fellow Juilliard alum and now Hubbard Street Company member. We count ourselves lucky to be able to share the stage and this amazing life adventure together.
Kevin J. Shannon (BFA ’07, dance)