CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago Tap Theatre stands out as one of the city’s most thrilling and innovative dance groups, and their season’s grand finale is just around the corner.
Sterling Harris is the creative force behind the compelling story told in tap.
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“For All We Know” is a story of love and embracing the world that surrounds us.
Harris belongs to Chicago. He’s from Auburn Gresham and a graduate of Whitney Young High School. He got his moves early on.
“I started dancing socially as a kid and never thought of it as a career option. It was just something people did, from stepping to attending house festivals with my uncles,” Harris shared.
Harris studied neuroscience at Northwestern as a pre-med student. He still works in public health research at the Feinberg School of Medicine.
“Many assume we dance solely with our feet, viewing them as the instrument. However, I believe our entire body plays a role,” Harris explained. “My aim is to become the music, to convey emotions, to embrace my individuality, enjoying my long, lanky physique, and moving freely as I desire.”
Mark Yonally, the creator of Chicago Tap Theatre, discovered Sterling.
“He is lovingly constantly pushing me. ‘You’re going to do this challenging step. You’re going to do this dance that might seem tough for somebody your age, and you’re going to kill it,'” Yonally said.
“It’s this limitless art form; you’re a musician. You’re a mover. You’re a dancer: What you’re creating is visual art, audible art. It reaches people in such a unique way,” dancer Heather Latakas said.
“You spend so much time together in this pursuit. We start out just sharing with each other, talking, no shoes on yet, transposing that into steps, and transposing that with the music. And it turns into a whole beautiful thing of awe,” Harris said.
Harris never broke his ties with Chicago.
“Chicago has its own brand, feel or style of tap. It’s like a badge of honor, having gotten to dance from Chicago. I want to give back to dance in Chicago,” Harris said.
The Chicago Tap Theatre performs this Thursday through Sunday.
The shows are at the Edge Theater on North Broadway in Edgewater.
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