Kathleen and Jack Villari have been directing American Dance Center for nearly the entire 56 years that they have been married.

The couple co-founded American Dance Center in 1971 in Richton Park, Illinois, with a philosophy that “dance is more than steps.” They moved the center to Olympia Fields in 1992 and to Homewood in 2001. The school also launched a second location in Orland Park in 1997.

“It’s overwhelming,” said Kathleen Villari about the dance school surpassing five decades. “The time has gone so fast but the time before the 50 years and after the original onset of our commitment to American Dance Center were all wonderful years with many memories from the productions that we’ve done and from the students and dancers that we have trained.”

After the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the school’s biennial student showcase in 2020, American Dance Center plans to present “Fifty … Take 2” on Saturday at Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts in University Park, Illinois.

The belated 50th anniversary student showcase features approximately 250 dancers, including residents of Country Club Hills, Crete, Flossmoor, Frankfort, Harvey, Homewood, Lemont, Markham, Oak Lawn, Tinley Park, Dyer and Schererville over three performances with three casts.

“The performance is a very comprehensive production, which we only do every other year,” Kathleen Villari said about the showcase, which includes classical ballet, children’s, contemporary, jazz and tap pieces by dancers who enrolled in American Dance Center classes in September.

“I enjoy seeing the students progressing and developing commitment and discipline, which I feel that our society needs. I think the audience will be astounded at the talent, production value and professionalism of the production.”

A unified theme ties the 22 pieces in “Fifty … Take 2” together to capture dances, which include “The Aura of Dance,” “42nd Street,” “The Greatest Showman,” “Remember Ballet” and “You’ll Be In My Heart.”

The showcase is a family collaboration, which includes Kathleen and Jack Villari’s daughter Maria Villari of Chicago and their son Brian Villari of Frankfort and his wife, Tracey Villari, working with eight more American Dance Center teacher/choreographers on the production.

“It’s a blessing that we are able to continue this legacy,” said Kathleen Villari, who met her future husband while they were touring in the national company of “Camelot.”

“Part of our hopes and dreams would be to have this continue on for another decade even if we’re not here.”

Recent American Dance Center graduates include Maddie Stanford and Hannah Stovall, who both went on to dance for Norwegian Cruise Line.

Older alumni include Wayne Byars, formerly of Park Forest, who went on to be a ballet master in Paris; Joseph Kudra, formerly of Chicago Heights, who is dancing in New York; and Tarek Halaby, formerly of the Southland, who is now a performer based in Brussels.

“We’ve had so many dancers bring our training all over the world and many of our former students have come back to work full time as a teacher with us,” said Kathleen Villari of Olympia Fields.

“It’s because of the basic philosophy of if you’re given a talent, which was evident when we were younger, it’s a gift. We feel that you are responsible to use your gift and pass it on. That has been the main focus of why we’re still here.”

American Dance Center alumni have taught and danced professionally with companies including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Australian Dance Theatre, Chicago Tap Theatre, Elements Contemporary Ballet, Gus Giordano and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

Joffrey Ballet, Joel Hall Dancers, Luna Negra Dance Theater, New York University, Up with People, Walt Disney World Resort and The Young Americans are some of the other companies for which American Dance Center alumni have taught and danced.

“Dance is a universal language. It’s a need for humanity to express themselves at any stage of life,” said Kathleen Villari who along with her husband co-wrote “The Official Guide to Disco Dance Steps,” which was published in eight foreign languages.

“Whether a child or beginner, adult or professional, or an aspiring artist, they all have a need and I see that every day. People still want to dance. It’s a need that has to be fulfilled and that’s what we’re doing.”

American Dance Center teaches classes including beginner dance and all levels of ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, modern, pointe and tap to ages 5 through adult at its west campus at 10464 W. 163rd Place, Orland Park, and its east campus at 1933 Ridge Road, Homewood.

“Fifty … Take 2” will be performed at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday at Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts, 1 University Parkway, University Park.

Tickets are $24.95 for general seating or $34.95 for box seating at showtix4u.com/event-details/59938. More information is at 708-349-4964.

Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.