Dear Skunkworks Families and Community,

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I want to take a moment to share some important news with you and express my deep gratitude for this community.  

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Many of you may not know that Skunkworks Dance began in the fall of 2018 with a single student in a basement studio. It started with the vision of creating a new kind of pre-professional concert dance studio—one that approached teaching, choreography, and performance with innovation, current styles, science-driven technical training, and repertoire that modeled the professional world of contemporary dance—all of this within an inclusive, student-forward, and caring environment.  

Over the past eight years, we have explored every aspect of dance education, from refining our teaching methods—learning how to clearly communicate intentions/expectations, recognize non-verbal cues, and provide professional-level feedback in a safe and supportive way—to rethinking technical training through multiple lenses. More than anything, we have developed our dancers' individuality and unique artistic voices to be the heart of our studio.

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Together, we have created nine breathtaking live shows, made countless dance films, and supported the local community through performances and interactive booths that brought joy to all. We moved through over eight pop-up studio spaces before finding our community home in beautiful downtown Wilmette, where we welcomed so many incredible young artists. But what has truly made this place special beyond words is you—our dancers and families.  

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It has been an absolute privilege to teach, mentor, and create alongside your extraordinary dancers. Whether they attended Skunkworks for a single semester or many years, each dancer holds a place in my heart. Watching them grow as artists and as people has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Owning a dance studio—my first business—has been a rollercoaster, but our families and the Skunkworks community have been the backbone of this studio. Your support, encouragement, and kindness have meant the world to me, and I am deeply appreciative of every moment we have shared.  

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After much reflection, my husband and I have decided to take the next step in our lives—we are starting our own family and planning a move to Denver, Colorado, later this year. With that decision comes the bittersweet reality that this will be the final season of Skunkworks Dance as we know it.  

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Skunkworks has never just been a studio—it’s been a home, a space for artists to thrive, and a community built on trust, creativity, and a love for dance. Stepping away has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, but I want you to know that I am fully committed to making these last months meaningful. We will have time to celebrate, reflect, and process this transition together, especially after our final show.  

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This is not goodbye forever. I plan to stay connected, visit, and host workshops in the future. But for now, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for trusting me, for being part of this journey, and for making Skunkworks such a special place.  

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Let’s make these last months unforgettable and celebrate as one. 

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With love and gratitude,

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Jana Bennett  
Founder and Director, Skunkworks Dance