10/21/2026
Today, we want to pay loving tribute to our dear friend and former Chadash company dancer, Laurence Curry.
There are no words to adequately describe what a brilliant performing artist Laurence was. More importantly, he was an incredible human being.
Laurence and Chadash Artistic Director Kelly Archer first met back in college. Kelly had just transferred into the theatre and dance programs at the University of Northern Colorado and knew next to no one. Laurence took her under his wing and became a dear friend during her years there.
When Kelly moved back to Colorado around twelve years ago, they reconnected. Laurence hadn’t changed at all; if anything, the love and spaciousness he had for others had grown, if that were even possible.
When Kelly shared her dream for Chadash with Laurence, he encouraged her and cheered her on without hesitation.
They had the opportunity to work together again for Chadash’s concert, Beacon. It was during Beacon that Kelly introduced Laurence to Chadash Artist in Residence Judi Daniels. Judi and Laurence had an instant, deep connection. They understood each other in ways that transcend words.
Judi had written a monologue for the character Laurence played, based on her husband, Craig. Judi had been diagnosed with stage four cancer some years earlier, and the monologue was drawn from a real moment in their lives. After one of her surgeries, doctors told Craig that they had to remove one of Judi’s vocal cords and that she would be left without a full voice.
Later in the concert, we flash forward to a time when the Judi character is close to crossing over into eternity, and Craig and Judi have the opportunity to dance together one more time.
There are some beautiful and extraordinary moments that stand out in the history of Chadash’s ten years as a company. Those moments of Laurence and Kristen onstage as Craig and Judi are at the very top of that list.
Laurence was not only an extraordinary artist, but a dear friend whose generosity of spirit left a lasting mark on the people around him and on Chadash.
Rest well, dear friend. And say hi to Judi for us.
