The Chicago dance community was stunned and saddened today to hear of the untimely death of Laura Elizabeth Maceika, seen in several productions of Chicago Dance Crash as well as with Jay-Son Tisa Dance Company and Barefoot Productions.
Laura Elizabeth Maceika, originally of Woodstock, Illinois, passed away last weekend at the young age of 21. A promising ballet dancer, Maceika left school at 16 to pursue a professional performance career, training at Milwaukee Ballet, the Joel Hall Dance Center, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, and at the Performing Arts of Spring Grove under Alyce Keaggy Brinkmann. While there, she met current Chicago Dance Crash Senior Company Member Lyndsey Rhoads, who brought the aspiring talent to Chicago’s dance scene.
Maceika made her professional debut at 19 in CDC’s 2006 production of Ghost Play, joining Dance Crash as a company member early the next year. By year’s end, the rebellious and unconfined ballet dancer had matured into an audience favorite, closing out the season to a standing ovation at a packed Lakeshore Theater in The KTF Championship. Described by Artistic Director Kyle Vincent Terry as a “poetic mover” and “the bird in flight,” Maceika enjoyed a short but vibrant career, performing in seven Dance Crash productions, in addition to dancing with Jay-son Tisa Dance Company and in Barefoot Productions’ 24.
She was an unequaled spirit, possessing a seamless sarcasm in life, but with a deep sense of feeling she would only fully confess on stage. She was always the first to stop whatever she was doing to promptly walk over and give a tight hug to whoever entered the studio. Laura will be loved and missed by the Dance Crash family and the Chicago dance community. Our hearts go out to her mother Jeri and her loving and supportive family, who never hesitated to make the drive to see their girl perform.
A viewing is scheduled for Friday from 4-8pm; a memorial service follows at 10am Saturday at Schneider-Leucht Merwin Cooney, 1211 North Seminary Avenue in Woodstock, Illinois. For more information, call (815) 338-1710 or visit www.lauratwirls.com. Requested attire is white with green accents. Friends and family will also be participating in the Out of the Darkness Walk, dedicated to making suicide prevention a national priority, in memory of Laura.
trailerpilot 
This is such a terrible waste. Let it remind all of us to be kind to one another.
By: Danine on 05:15::2009
at 00:28
what happened to her?? was it a car accident or what? i don’t mean to be rude or inconsiderate i am just curious??
By: sally on 05:16::2009
at 03:18
She took her own life, Sally — I don’t know any more than that.
By: trailerpilot on 05:16::2009
at 04:11
thank you so much, she was such a beautiful person and a beautiful dancer.. she had so much going for her
By: sally on 05:23::2009
at 03:12
Does anyone know WHY she took her own life, and how did she do it? I cant understand it, she seemed so cool the times we hung out, and smart, talented, she was easy to talk to and nice. why would she take her life? What was going on in her life at the time? I would like to know but I don’t want to bother her family and I dont have the contacts for friends anymore. This bothers me and makes me sad, my condolences to her family. Rest in peace, it is surely a huge loss for everyone.
By: Sarah on 07:20::2009
at 06:19
Omg shut the fuck up sally. Why care now idiot? What’s done is done. Love ya laura, miss u everyday:)
By: urmom on 02:01::2011
at 05:35