Robby Barnett

Robby Barnett is an American dancer, choreographer, and a founding artistic director of the internationally renowned dance company Pilobolus. A graduate of Dartmouth College, Barnett was instrumental in shaping the company's unique collaborative and acrobatic style, which blends modern dance, shadow theatre, and physical theatre. His career with the company spans over five decades, during which he has co-created numerous iconic works performed worldwide, taught extensively, and received significant awards including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Drama Desk Award.

Early life and education

Robby Barnett was born in 1951 in New York City. He pursued his higher education at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where he initially studied studio art and art history. His academic path shifted significantly when he enrolled in a dance class taught by Alison Becker Chase, a moment that proved formative for his future career. At Dartmouth, Barnett also collaborated with fellow students Moses Pendleton and Jonathan Wolken, relationships that would lead to the creation of Pilobolus. The group's early experiments in movement were influenced by the teachings of Martha Graham and the collaborative ethos fostered within the Dartmouth College environment.

Career with Pilobolus

Barnett's professional career is inextricably linked to Pilobolus, which he co-founded in 1971 alongside Moses Pendleton, Jonathan Wolken, and Lee Harris, later joined by Martha Clarke and Alison Becker Chase. He served as a dancer and, critically, as a collaborative choreographer and artistic director for the company. Under his guidance, Pilobolus grew from a collegiate experiment into a major force in American dance, known for its innovative, body-based approach. Barnett performed with the company for many years and has been a constant artistic director, helping to steer its creative vision and secure performances at prestigious venues like The Joyce Theater, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, and on international tours across Europe and Asia.

Choreographic works and style

Barnett's choreographic output is defined by the collective, non-hierarchical creation process central to Pilobolus. Key works he helped create include the seminal Pilobolus, Ocellus, and The Empty Suitor. His style, developed with the company, emphasizes athleticism, interconnected bodies, illusion, and playful imagery, often creating living sculptures. Later celebrated works co-created under his artistic direction include Day Two, Symbiosis, and the shadow theatre piece Dog ID. The company's work for television, such as the Academy Awards dance sequences and collaborations with Penn & Teller, further showcased Barnett's innovative approach to performance art.

Teaching and residencies

Beyond performance, Robby Barnett has been deeply committed to education, conducting workshops and master classes worldwide. He has led residencies at numerous institutions including Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of California, Los Angeles. These teaching engagements often focus on the Pilobolus method of collaborative creation, problem-solving, and nonverbal communication. His work in educational outreach has extended to programs with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Lincoln Center Institute, influencing generations of dancers and theater artists.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, Barnett has received significant accolades both individually and as part of Pilobolus. The company earned a Primetime Emmy Award for its dance sequence on the ABC television special The Great American Dream Machine. Pilobolus also received a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience. In 2000, Barnett and his fellow artistic directors were honored with the Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award for lifetime achievement. The company's innovative work has been recognized with grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts, cementing its legacy in the history of dance.

Category:American choreographers Category:American male dancers Category:Dartmouth College alumni Category:1951 births Category:Living people