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Mark Hackman

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Mark Hackman
Born (1979-12-14) December 14, 1979 (age 45)
Greensboro, Illinois, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Writer, Stage producer
Years active2002–present

John Mark Hackman is an American choreographer, writer and stage producer.[1] Most notably recognized as the creator and longtime executive director of street dance performance company Chicago Dance Crash,[2][3] Hackman is also the founding choreographer of photography/performance project The Living Canvas[4][5] under the directorship of Pete Guither as well as the cofounder of The Keeper of The Floor Championship (KTF) alongside dancer/actor Kyle Terry – the production now being recognized as one of the longest-running professional "all styles" dance battles in the United States.[6][7]

Hackman's writings are known for a live production style of storytelling that combines stunt work and dance with recorded narration and dialogue.[8] This concept has been seen in Hackman's writings for nationally-touring productions including Booms Day,[9] Tribulation and the Demolition Squad,[10] Gotham City[11] and The Bricklayers of Oz.[12] among others.

Hip Hop

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As a producer and hip-hop culture advocate within the entertainment industry, Hackman has been a presenter, investor or consultant for several professional street crews and musicians.[13][14][15]In a Newcity Magazine interview regarding the future of show business after the 2000s, he predicted an industry-wide embrace of hip hop and street styles specifically for commercial performing arts. '“More often than not, this contemporary view is usually taking street styles (breaking, waving, krumping) and putting them in a theater with concert techniques like modern, ballet or jazz,” Hackman says. “Our generation is getting established enough to start producing our own work and all these new TV shows and movies have hit this decade that have ballerinas onstage with breakers, it seems like it’s an approach that’s only going to gain popularity into the 2000-teens and well beyond that.”'[16]

Personal

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Hackman is a graduate of Illinois State University,[17] and resigned from Chicago Dance Crash as CEO in 2022 to work for the City of Chicago's Film Office and Cultural Department, appointing Jessica Leyva as his successor.[18][19]

References

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  1. ^ Molzahn, Laura (June 24, 2005). "An Epic Narrative Dance Work by 25-year-old Choreographer Mark Hackman is Packed with Visceral Thrills" (PDF). Chicago Reader. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  2. ^ Warnecke, Lauren. "Dance Crash lets loose after 15 years of edgy fusion fun". digitaledition.chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  3. ^ Nevin, Johnny. "Chicago Dance Crash's Mark Hackman and Crash Year 15". dancermusic.com. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  4. ^ Kleiman, Kelly (July 19, 2001). "The Living Canvas". chicagoreader.com.
  5. ^ Hillmer, Brian (July 11, 2001). "When life meets art: 'The Living Canvas' travels to Chicago". videtteonline.com.
  6. ^ Hillmer, Brian (March 1, 2007). "Battling dancers break boundaries". chicagotribune.com.
  7. ^ Hoyer, Sharon (July 24, 2024). "Dance Top 5: August 2024". newcitystage.com.
  8. ^ Smith, Sid. "Spoof on all those teen dance movies". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
  9. ^ Weiss, Hedy. "A Pair of Spirit-Raising Performances". WTTW News. PBS Public Broadcasting Service. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  10. ^ Kahns, Kristi (June 17, 2005). "Tribulation and the Demolition Squad". DanceMagazine.com. Dance Magazine. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  11. ^ Smith, Sid. "High energy 'Gotham City' full of close-up danger". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  12. ^ Weiss, Hedy (August 6, 2017). "Repaving the Yellow Brick Road in ingenious 'Bricklayers of Oz'". chicago.suntimes.com. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  13. ^ Hoyer, Sharon (February 8, 2010). "Preview: Duets For My Valentine". newcitystage.com.
  14. ^ [1]2016 CityArts Program]
  15. ^ Crash vs. Culture Shock Chicago at the KCCNA 2014 Conference (The Full Docu)
  16. ^ Hieggelke, Brian (December 21, 2009). "At Zeroes End: Dance in 2000-2009". newcitystage.com.
  17. ^ Warnecke, Lauren (October 5, 2024). "Chicago Dance Crash relies on old habits in moving to new era". chicagoreader.com.
  18. ^ Bruns, Tristan. "It's the End of an Era and a Bright New Beginning". SeeChicagoDance.com. SeeChicagoDance. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  19. ^ Wild, Stephi. "New Executive and Artistic Directors Revealed at Chicago Dance Crash". BroadwayWorld.com. Broadway World. Retrieved July 11, 2023.