Laura Thurston studied dance at Northern Dance Theatre of Northern Illinois University under the direction of Randall Newsom, Judith Chitwood, and Paula Frasz. Laura also studied dance at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, studying under Margi Cole, Angie Hauser, Banu Ogan, Anna Paskevska, Dardi McGinley-Gallivan, Natalie Rast, & Eduardo Vilaro to name a few. Laura graduated from Columbia College with a BA in Dance Performance in 2005.

Her professional career began in 2004 with Chicago Dance Crash, where she performed and trained from 2004-2007. From 2007-2008, Laura performed and trained with Corpo Dance Company, and 2008-2009 she performed and trained with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theater. In 2009, Laura Co-Founded Piel Morena Contemporary Dance, performing from 2009-2012. In 2013, Laura Co-Founded Still Inspired, performing in the first season. Laura has had the pleasure to work with many incredible instructors throughout her professional training including: Greg Begley, Homer Bryant, Joel Hall, John Leher, Lizzie MacKenzie, Cheryl Mann, Stephanie Martinez, Laura Gates, Randall Newsom, Kirby Reed, Molly Shanahan, & Laura Wade among others. She’s Performed works by: Ricardo Garcia, Elijah Alhadji Gibson, Doris Humphrey, Tony Powell, Michelle Manzanales, Wilfredo Rivera & Jaime Sierra, and has performed in venues throughout the Midwest, New York City, and Monterrey, Mexico.

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Laura is the Artistic Director and Co-Producer of Still Inspired, a Chicago-based professional dance company that produces new works annually inspired by Chicago visual artists. She will be producing the show’s 11th installment in the beautiful city of Chicago where she shares artistic visions with other dance and visual creators while providing opportunities to artists and dancers.

Laura is a dance educator who has instructed children, teens, & adults in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs for 24 years. Laura teaches ballet, jazz, contemporary, and modern dance, and has choreographed for competitive dance since 2005. She directed a student-based dance company in the suburbs of Chicago from 2015-2020. She thoroughly enjoys working with dancers and is grateful for the opportunity to observe her students’ experiences of growth and success in dance. ​​Laura is absolutely thrilled to share her passion at Extensions Dance!