COMMON

Dancers are exceptional. 

From COMMON conservatory to COMMON company, we believe that a sustainable future for dance supports the whole artist — in control of the conditions in which they work, responsible for their work, and able to reap the benefits.

After acquiring a pre-professional training program from a local dance school in 2018, Terence Marling founded COMMON with a vision for a better ecosystem to support dancers. Artists who pursue a career in dance routinely confront financial instability, toxic work environments, and widespread discrimination. COMMON was built on the belief that a healthy future for dance requires listening to new artistic voices, investing in their diverse capabilities, and empowering artists to lead the change they want to see in our communities. COMMON provides holistic training, public performances, and an enriching community for dance artists of all backgrounds. Since its beginning, COMMON has supported over 3,000 artists and choreographers.

We hope that our work at COMMON will extend beyond Chicago to inspire better ecosystems for artists around the world. Dance is a universal catalyst of community, storytelling, and innovation. Dancers deserve the support to do so much more than simply survive.