Intrigue Dance & Performing Arts Center

On a lark I filled out the «free first class» application form. I heard back almost immediately and got a spot in a class that worked with my schedule. I have past dance experience but haven’t pulled out my jazz hands in almost 20 years. I couldn’t imagine a better welcome back to dance than the small «musical theater» class I jumped into. The teacher was competent and friendly, as were the three other dancers in the class. The pace of the class was not for a novice, so I felt appropriately rusty, but I enjoyed myself immensely. I look forward to coming back!

Our daughter has danced with Intrigue since she was only 5 years old, she’s now 10! Needless to say we’ve been happy with her education & growth in technique. Pia Hamilton is a committed instructor and mentor to all the children of Intrigue. Through her dedication, Gianna continues to improve as a dancer in ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap & modern. I highly recommend the studio for both children & adults!

The new studio is fabulous! Clean, spacious, and includes locker rooms!
I’ve taken a four classes and really enjoyed half of them. Strength and Stretch was enjoyable and challenging. The instructor/​owner Pia was warm, helpful, and constructed a great class with good flow and great music. She even spent time correcting postures and helping push people further into stretches. I loved that.
Yoga Sculpt also had a fabulous instructor. I was the only one in the class, so I ended up with a private lesson and she did a regular yoga class for me when I expressed an interest. Super sweet as well.
The Jazz/​Ballet classes I’ve taken were taught by a sub who I wasn’t a big fan of. He had a little trouble with the flow of class, ballet ended after the jump combination. We never made it out of the center of the room, no grand allegro, which is the best part of the class. For beginning/​intermediate jazz the combination was way too easy and short. I would recommend going up a level from the classes you take elsewhere.
But Intrigue is a great dance studio and I love their new location. They just posted their fall schedule and the adult classes are aplenty, at least 4 – 5 a day. Can’t wait for them to start September 4^th!

They moved into a bigger, nicer studio near Archer and State! There are now three beautiful dance rooms of varying sizes at the new location, and there’s a free parking lot! However the lot is shared by all of the stores in this little plaza, so it can be hard to find a spot. But back to the classes, I have almost no dance experience, and have had a great time just learning the basics. The instructors are friendly, fun, and importantly, patient with a newbie like me. Class prices are reasonable, especially with the student discount. I have to admit, I haven’t been to any other dance studio and have no comparison, but overall, I think it’s a great place, especially for novices.

I really like the staff in this place– their admin and instructors are super cool and friendly.
I’ve taken ballet classes and the instructor was very confident while teaching and patient– made me want to return for many classes!

This place is great! I started about two years ago with absolutely zero dance experience (not even as a kid) and have learned so much and had so much fun since then. I started with novice ballet, which I still take after two years because there’s plenty to learn and it fits my schedule. I also sometimes take novice jazz and ballroom, which are fantastic, and I consistently take stretch & strength twice a week. It is a terrific workout and I’ve never been in better shape! The ballroom workshops are a great way to get started with social dancing — I came without a partner and it was no problem. They’ve now added a super-​fun class called Latin Styles, which covers dances like salsa, cha-​cha, rumba, etc., but you dance individually — no partners. I’ve already learned enough to actually go out ballroom and latin dancing now!
The atmosphere at Intrigue is very welcoming, not at all pretentious, and I feel supported even when they give corrections. The adult classes are offered at several levels, which accommodates the serious dancers as well as those of us come for a hobby and a workout. They teach lots of kids classes too, so it’s a vibrant environment.
There’s a free parking lot and plenty of metered street parking if the lot fills.

I purchased the Groupon last year for 10 dance classes for adults. I wanted to learn how to salsa! The first class was wonderful! The second class I was the only student that showed up, so we worked on more salsa steps and turns. The third class, new students showed up and we started everything from the beginning. The forth class, different new students showed up and started everything from the beginning AGAIN! Same thing with my 5^th lesson. By this time I was already getting frustrated that I was not learning anything new and wasting my time.
I asked why we don’t build on what we learned in the previous lesson and was told that the beginning classes for adults are «open» meaning that each time a new person shows up, they start with lesson 1. This is not written in the small print or anywhere. I asked for a refund and was told no, but to try other classes. I don’t want other classes b/​c I was only interested in salsa.
If you want to SAMPLE DIFFERENT classes, this Groupon is a great way to do it.
If you want to actually learn ONE TYPE OF DANCE, don’t get this Groupon.

Yup, I’m back with more to say about this awful dance studio in the South Loop.
This time, however, I’m reviewing the children’s dance classes. When my partner’s three-​year-​old daughter was in two for two weeks last winter, we called Intrigue to see if they would let her drop-​in for a few ballet/​tap classes. They told us it would be no problem — just bring her by the studio, fill out some paperwork, and pay the $ 15 per class fee.
Imagine our surprise then, when the man working the reception counter (which, by the way, is nearly buried amongst folding chairs, shoes, bags, toys and parents in a very narrow hallway) informed us in the second week that they would no longer be able to accommodate our little one, as there «might» be other children who wanted to take a make-​up class. Strange, as there was no mention of that possibility when we first called (or prior to the three classes she had dropped-​in for the previous week). And, though I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear this, there were absolutely no children waiting to take a make-​up class.
But my complaint is not limited to the complete lack of organization at Intrigue. No, in fact, my complaint is actually centered around the quality — or lack thereof — of the children’s dance classes.
The children’s instructors at Intrigue seem exhausted, frustrated and ill-​prepared to manage 10 children. Rather than making the class a fun and exciting introduction to ballet, they focus entirely too much on technique. Perhaps that’s why the children find ways to entertain themselves — making funny faces in the mirror and twirling in their ballet skirts while the instructor tries, unsuccessfully, to establish some kind of order.
Here’s a perfect example: at Intrigue, students walk across the room on their tiptoes doing piques every other step. An instructor holds their hand and makes them do about 15 piques (it’s a long walk to the other side of the room!). In the meantime, students awaiting their turn (for as many as 7 minutes) get restless, bored, cranky. And there’s really nothing to look forward to: class ends with barre work, rather than free-​form dancing or any kind of fun activity.
I wish Unilocal allowed users to post videos as well as pictures, because then you could see for yourself what a mess the children’s program is. I’d love to show you comparison videos between Intrigue and A Fairytale Ballet, where we ended up taking our little one over the summer, despite the 25-​minute drive to get there (and believe me, it is absolutely worth it). The difference is night and day.
As it’s very unlikely that even ¼ of these girls will end up prima ballerinas down the road, I wish Intrigue would focus more on making ballet class something they remember and look forward to rather than a chore.
On top of the lackluster children’s program, as I said in my previous review, the studios themselves are filthy. The walls need new paint and the floors need to be mopped every once in awhile. Case in point: the bottom of our little one’s brand new ballet slippers were black by the time she left her first ballet class. I do not exaggerate.
Intrigue continues to disappoint in so many ways — it actually makes me mad that this studio gets away with poor instruction, dirty facilities and office disorganization. I cannot stress enough that there are considerably better dance studios in the area, both for adults and children.

I decided to take a dance class here. The studio offers a variety of class for adults and children. From the information on the website, it seemed like a good studio. Well, I arrived at the studio and it’s messy. There are children shoes, clothes, books, toy’s everywhere. I understand that children are at this studio but someone could at least keep the place tidy. But, i was going to forgive that. Well, my class was suppose to start at 12pm. It didn’t start till about 12:10 — 12:12:15 due the children’s class ending late and the instructor having problems with the sound system The instructor was substituting because the regular instructor was out of town. Well, the instructor was talented but he didn’t have a plan in place for the class. So, we spent some waiting for him to develop a routine. The class ended on time but I felt cheated since we started late.

Bought the Groupon and I’m glad I did. The place is a bit small and right above a Thai restaurant. I took a variety of classes but I was able to attend the Cardio Strip Tease class the most frequently. It was more cardio and not enough strip tease. You get a solid workout but the combinations are too simple. I really liked the instructors for most of my classes. They were very encouraging and talented dancers.
I wished they would fix up the women’s restrooms and sweep the dance floors more often.

We signed up our four year old for dance classes here and we will not return. While Pia may be very talented and able to teach young adults and adults, this is just not a good studio for kids.
Issues:
1. The instructor (who was very nice) was still teaching new combinations to the kids just a few weeks before the recital and used adult music that was of no interest to the kids for a ballet routine. At such a young age, kids should be doing short, repetitive combinations that are tied to the music. That concept was not present here.
2. The rehearsal… over 3 hours long with just one dance mom to watch all of the kids in the class. That’s borderline neglectful.
3. The recital — cute costumes but that’s about it. The kids’ class was a tap/​ballet combo and they did 2 dances in the recital. One was #2 or 3 and the other was like #47 or something. Really? That is just not appropriate for a group of little kids. To think that they can sit around for 2 hours in between acts is just ridiculous. They should have 2 recitals so the kids don’t have to wait around as long.
We would not recommend Intrigue.

Some background on me: I am currently 24 and have been dancing ballet, tap, and jazz since I was 5. I have taken hip hop since I was 17 and co-​led a hip hop dance group for 4 years. While I am no means a professional dancer, dance is a serious hobby for me.
The studio has 2 rooms: one small, one large.
I have taken the following classes:
INT/​ADV Ballet
ADV/​BEG INT Ballet
INT/​ADV Hip Hip
Cardio Strip Tease
Stretch and Strength
Here are my reviews on the following:
INT/​ADV Ballet
ADV/​BEG INT Ballet
Phia is a phenomenal ballet instructor. She takes the time to constructively critique every dancer. I feel I have learned more from her in terms of improving my form and technique than from the ballet instructor I had from age 5 – 18. While she goes fast, she challenges every student and encourages us to do our best.
INT/​ADV Hip Hip
Good. Although I wish there was a separate INT class and ADV class. For an ADV student, these classes may not always be challenging enough.
Cardio Strip Tease
This is a good class for cardio. While an advanced dancer will also get a work out, the combinations may be too simple to keep your interest.
Stretch and Strength
Good. You will be sore the next day.

So I went back on Tuesday and it’s nice to see familiar faces… there were the same people and more this time around… The class was still fun but the instructor taught the same moves as the week prior. I was a little disappointed but I guess you can never have enough refreshers…
The Thursday sessions are definitely worth trying! It’s such high enegry and you definitely sweat a lot! So to summarize, Tuesday is great because you actually learn and take more time learning a choreography… the instructor will make time to explain and go over questions, a larger group… definitely a beginner’s class. The Thursday is high enegry, calorie burning, and makes you feel like a dance machine!

I love that this place is walking distance from home! I went with my sis to their beginners hip hop class. I liked that we got to dance with other beginners, and learn in a smaller group environment. Oh, and I liked that we got to perform some freestyle moves as we tried to learn our designated routine. Will definitely come back again!

This is a great studio! I started taking adult classes here when I bought a Groupon a few months ago and have ben going ever since! I’ve taken ballet, jazz, stretch and strength, and cardio strip tease classes here and they are all great! The studio is small and the teachers give lots of individual attention and all the classes are really fun! This studio is also good for a variety of levels; I’ve been dancing since I was a kid, but there were lots of people in classes with less experience who fit in just fine.
The only thing that I don’t like about this studio is that it doesn’t have a shower. It would be great is there was one because these classes are serious workouts! Also, it would be nice to post online when there is a substitute teacher as other studios do, but it’s a small studio.
All in all I definitely recommend this studio to anyone who want to get in shape and have some fun.

My 4yr old daughter has been going to Intrigue now for over a year and she absolutely loves it. Pia is an amazing teacher. My daughter just turned three when she started and boy oh boy I had moments when I thought I was going to yank her out of class because she was such a distraction to the rest of the kids. Three is pretty young to have organized instructed classes and my daughter was not used to having to take direction. She would do things like play with the strings on the blind, lick the mirror, run around the room randomly while everyone was following the instructor. For weeks on end Pia would reassure me that she’s improving and she will get better and sure enough she did.
And the recital in the summer is sooooooo cute. Even if you don’t have kids you should go see it as it’s such a kick and there’s been so much time and energy put into creating the pieces, picking out the costumes and teaching the little ones the routines. It was at Jones Hall Prep which was just the right size. They do have adult performances which were just as impressive.
Definitely a place to try out. Be sure to call in advance to make sure there is room in the class as they’ve been booking up fast. I know some friends who’s kids had to be wait listed for some of the classes.

This place is terrific! The instructors are very helpful and the classes are small enough that students get quite a bit of one-​on-​one attention. I’ve been taking the novice ballet class with Pia and she does a great job of explaining/​demonstrating the moves, particuarly which muscles you should be using and how it relates to your body overall.
As others have mentioned, it’s a great location for those of us who don’t drive in Chicago. About a 3 minute walk from the Roosevelt stop. If you work in the Loop like I do, the #1 bus goes directly from Union station to here.

Man oh man am I glad I noticed Intrigue’s sign one day on my walk home from the gym. I’ve taken jazz/​lyrical/​ballet on and off since high school and it had been 4 years since my days at giordano’s in Evanston. This «emotional terrorist» I know just happens to live in the building where my formula fitness is and after one run in, I’ve been avoiding the area and my fitness more than I care to admit. Intrigue has been a life saver in that A) its given me the passion to dance again, B) it makes working out fun and C) its given me an excuse to not have to worry about any more run ins!
What I love about Intrigue is that the classes are small – my beg/​int jazz and ballet classes usually have 4 – 5 people in them, and one time I think there were 12 of us in ballet. It means that Pia (who is awesome btw) can give a lot of individual attention to dancers and help you to really understand what you need work on. If you need to go over something an extra time, you don’t have to worry about being embarrassed about asking for extra help (or maybe it’s something I just grew out of because I’m an adult and can admit to needing help?) I also really love that the classes are $ ¹⁰⁰⁄₁₀ pack for students and $ 130 for everyone else. As a note, there is a $ 2 service fee for credit card charges so just get some cash on the way!
My only qualm about the studio is that the room that I take 90% of my classes in is a little short so sometimes I feel like I’ve just mastered the steps when I hit the wall, literally. Thankfully the small class sizes make it work. I understand real estate issues in the city, so it’s not really a complaint, especially considering it is only 6 blocks from my apt!

I seemed tyo have become uncoordinated in the past few years. I spent my whole life participating in one form of dance or another and have recently been unable to follow a choreagraphed dance routine so I was a little worried about setting myself up for 10 failures with the 10 pack of classes I bought with my groupon. I went with two friends who all agreed we were going to laugh our asses off at eachother during the cardio strip tease class… and we did. The instructor, Nabz, was so cool and patient. I think she got a kick out of horrible moves and laughter. For us it was not cardio strip tease but more like cardio strip? oh please! She saw that I was having trouble with a particular section and instead of pointing it out to everyone she review it with the whole group to save me the embarassment.
The prices are reasonable and the classes are on a drop-​in type deal so you do not have to make a commitment to come so many weeks in a row to build lesson upon lesson. You come in, take a class and walk away knowing you got a great work out. its right off the L and the class times are really convenient. A regular drop in class is $ 15, $ 12 for students. You can also purchase 10 packs for a discounted rate. I cant wait to go back and try hip hop and salsa.

I would not have known about this dance studio if it werent for groupon. Oh, how I love thee.
This studio is located at an excellent location! Only two blocks away from me! I had no excuse not to go!
Checked out the hip hop class with Nabz. She is a great instructor! The first 10 minutes focused on stretching. Man, did I feel old and out of shape. I cannot touch my toes. It was not a proud moment for me.
The rest of the class was learning the moves. Nabz would teach us the moves, repeat, repeat repeat. More repeat. And then add the music. Repeat, repeat repeat with the music. I had a lot of fun! The class kicked my ass. I was sweatin by the time we were done. Nabz made sure we were doing ok, hydrated, and not too hot (temperature wise). I can tell she really enjoys her job and she was so patient with us. I’m definitely looking forward to coming back.
The studio offers a variety of dances which include jazz, tap, hip hop, pilates, etc. I purchased a 10 class package so I’m hoping to check out the pilates class next. Will update on how that goes… probably more stretching… Dammit.
Make sure to dress appropriately and wear shoes without black soles. They have an office where you check in which is located past the waiting area. I was a little confused on the set up when I first walked in. Since the deal through groupon was so popular, I would suggest making an appointment for a class. Our class was pretty full with approximately 10 – 12 of us.