All five of the dancers are veterans of HSDC, some associated with the company for as long as 13 years.

Two apprentices, Brian Corman and Lisa Keskitalo, are also leaving, as well as another dancer, Yael Levitin Saban, who is taking a maternity sabbatical.

The replacements for the departing five are Meredith Dincolo, a former HSDC dancer who has also performed with the Lyon Opera Ballet; German-born Martin Lindinger, from London's Rambert Dance Company and City Ballet of London; Canadian Hope Muir, from the Rambert and the English National Ballet; Israeli Yarden Ronen, from Ballet Hispanico and Buglisi/Foreman Dance; and Penny Saunders, from MOMIX, Ballet Arizona, and the American Repertory Ballet.

Apprentice Isaac Spencer will join the main company, and Sarah Cullen Fuller, currently with the junior company Hubbard Street 2, becomes an apprentice. The company also announced additions to HS2.

The company has also hired Martin Grochala as its new director of development. Grochala has served Chicago's Goodman Theatre as director of major gifts and development services since 1999.

The departing members represent nearly a quarter of the company, and according to the Tribune, their exit marks the largest shift in personnel since Jim Vincent became artistic director in 2000.