The news of Eric Eatherly's passing spread quickly through Chicago's close-knit arts community. Eatherly was killed in a car accident Dec. 29 during a family visit in Tennessee. Eric graduated from Northwestern University in 2001 with degrees in dance and sociology.
Billy Siegenfeldfounder and artistic director of the Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, and professor of dance at Northwestern University since 1993said, "Eric was my student first. His moving body had no knowledge of the information the class was giving. And yet in every class he remained open-hearted and hungry, in that lovely un-noisy way of his. Grateful just to be partaking of movement, his unjudging ways invited his classmates to feast as defenselessly. They all loved him for his very real sweetness. Some years later his very smart, equally generous mind became a public gift when he started seeing dance and writing about it.
"He was the first to write about the inside thing we're after at Jump Rhythm, in such clear and unpretentious words. The sweetest of men, Eric isn't here now to continue being that crucial, gentle reminder he was to us, just by his being, to feel everyday that we're very lucky that those of us who do and teach art get to live life more creatively and more awake. We'll be continually blessed by having had him with us for as long as we did."
Immediately after college, Eatherly started performing with Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre ( SPDW ) and Hedwig Dances. In a phone interview with SPDW Artistic Director Joanna Rosenthal Read, she said Eric was "always positive… he was so sweet and generous, and always smiling. He was a weird, goofy, mover with amazing facility, and that was so appealing to us. There were only five of us in the company at that time, and Eric was grounding. We were all fire; he was the earth."
Eatherly was injured two days before SPDW's 10th-anniversary concert in 2007. It was an injury that would shift his entire career, but he remained incredibly supportive of the company, serving as its board president since 2012. Eric also worked with Mordine & Company and Thodos Dance Chicago during his performance career, and served on the board for Jump Rhythm Jazz Project for four years.
Shirley Mordinefounder and artistic director, of the Mordine & Company Dance Theatercommented that "Eric was a most gracious and competent colleague and friend. I worked with Eric as a dancer and as a representative of the Silverman Group. In every situation, every encounter with Eric, I was always moved by his gentleness and his willingness to give generously to any project or service to be met. I'm sure many will agree with me that his death is a loss to the arts community of Chicago."
Eatherly developed an interest in writing while he was still dancing, stretching his writing wings with Hedwig Dances. After his injury, he became the dance columnist at Windy City Times for a year before landing a job at The Silverman Group, one of Chicago's leading publicity firms for the arts.
Eatherly rose to vice president of The Silverman Group, with The Joffrey Ballet as one of his main accounts. "Eric's personal and professional commitment to dance made the City of Chicago a more vital place," said Joffrey Executive Director Greg Cameron. "He used the media to support the creative process he loved. We will miss his bright smile and enthusiasm."
As a publicist, members of the press revered him for his friendly demeanor and attention to detail. As a man, he was a true gentleman and a champion for the performing arts in Chicago, particularly dance.
Zachary Whittenburg, manager of communication at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, said, "I had the pleasure of working with Eric, both on and offstage, for nearly a decade. He was the one who encouraged me to adopt his column for the Windy City Times, starting my writing career and opening a whole new world. We rehearsed, performed and attended countless performances together and, in recent years, remained in close touch as we both transitioned into public relations.
"Eric was that rare person who could be warm, easygoing and a consummate professional all at once. He met everyone as a friend. This news comes as a shock to Chicago's dance community and a terrible lossI offer my deepest condolences to his family, his wonderful partner Jay, and his many clients and colleagues throughout the city."
"On behalf of Hedwig Dances, I extend my condolences to his family and loved ones. Eric worked with Hedwig Dances for six yearsfirst as an apprentice ( 2001-2002 ) and later as a company member ( 2002 to 2007 )dancing in about a dozen works," stated Jan Bartoszek, founder and artistic director of Hedwig Dances. "He was passionate about dance in its many formsmodern, ballet, jazz, rhythm. During his tenure with Hedwig Dances, he developed an interest in writing about dance and wrote copy for Hedwig Dances' marketing materials. He also choreographed two works that dealt with body image, The Ugly Appetite ( 2003 ) and Mirror, Mirror ( 2004 ). Eric was always kind, positive and generous. He looked for the silver lining in every situation. His gentle humor could lift the room. I will miss him immensely."
Vicki Crainfounder/editor of Rogue Ballerina, and a marketing associate with the Joffreycommented that "Eric recommended me for the dance columnist job at Windy City Times and was always a huge supporter of Rogue Ballerina, which meant the world to me. I was thrilled to continue working with him in my current position with the Joffrey. His professionalism and warm personality made him the best at his job and his love of dance was infectious. The loss of his kind soul will be felt by the dance community for a long time to come."
"Words fall short when it comes to describing Eric," added Catherine L. Tully, dance writer and founder of 4dancers.org . "As a professional, he was a true joy to work with. He had so much warmth and grace, and I have always considered him a friend as well as a colleague. His long-standing presence in the Chicago dance community will be missed terribly. "
Eatherly and his partner of 11 years, Jay Leibovitz, were to be married Jan. 16. Close friends and family will conduct a private service; a public gathering celebrating Eric's life will be held Saturday, Jan. 17, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Joffrey Tower, 10 E. Randolph St. At the request of his partner and family, in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Eatherly's memory to one of his favorite causes: the Human Rights Campaign ( www.hrc.org ) or The Joffrey Ballet's Academy of Dance ( www.Joffrey.org/support ) .