Pilobolus Dance Theater

Pilobolus Dance Theater is a renowned modern dance company founded in 1971 by Steve Johnson, Lee Harris, Moses Pendleton, Steve Pendleton, and Jonathan Wolken at Dartmouth College. The company is known for its unique and collaborative approach to dance, often incorporating acrobatics, gymnastics, and theater into its performances, as seen in works by Merce Cunningham and Trisha Brown. With a diverse range of influences, including Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey, Pilobolus Dance Theater has become a leading force in the dance world, performing at venues such as Lincoln Center and Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. The company's innovative style has been compared to that of Twyla Tharp and Paul Taylor, and has been praised by critics such as Clive Barnes and Anna Kisselgoff.

● History

Pilobolus Dance Theater was founded in 1971 by a group of Dartmouth College students, including Steve Johnson, Lee Harris, Moses Pendleton, Steve Pendleton, and Jonathan Wolken. The company's early years were marked by experimentation and innovation, with performances at Dartmouth College and other local venues, such as the Hopkins Center for the Arts. In the 1970s and 1980s, Pilobolus Dance Theater gained national recognition, performing at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and Lincoln Center, and collaborating with artists such as Merce Cunningham and Trisha Brown. The company has also performed at international festivals, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Montreal Jazz Festival, and has worked with choreographers such as William Forsythe and Ohad Naharin. Throughout its history, Pilobolus Dance Theater has been influenced by a range of artists, including Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, and George Balanchine, and has been praised by critics such as Clive Barnes and Anna Kisselgoff.

● Artistic Style

Pilobolus Dance Theater is known for its unique and collaborative approach to dance, which often incorporates acrobatics, gymnastics, and theater into its performances, as seen in works by Merce Cunningham and Trisha Brown. The company's artistic style is characterized by its use of partnering and weight-sharing, as well as its emphasis on improvisation and collaboration, similar to the approach of Twyla Tharp and Paul Taylor. Pilobolus Dance Theater's performances often feature complex and intricate choreography, as well as innovative use of costume design and lighting design, as seen in the work of William Forsythe and Ohad Naharin. The company's style has been influenced by a range of artists, including Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, and George Balanchine, and has been praised by critics such as Clive Barnes and Anna Kisselgoff, who have compared it to the work of Alonzo King and Suzanne Farrell.

● Repertoire

Pilobolus Dance Theater's repertoire includes a wide range of works, from modern dance pieces to theater and acrobatic performances, as seen in the work of Merce Cunningham and Trisha Brown. The company has performed works by renowned choreographers such as Moses Pendleton and Steve Pendleton, as well as pieces by emerging artists, such as Aszure Barton and Larry Keigwin. Pilobolus Dance Theater's repertoire also includes collaborations with artists from other disciplines, such as music and visual art, as seen in the work of Philip Glass and Robert Rauschenberg. Some notable works in the company's repertoire include Day Two, Gnomen, and Megawatt, which have been performed at venues such as Lincoln Center and Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, and have been praised by critics such as Clive Barnes and Anna Kisselgoff.

● Collaborations

Pilobolus Dance Theater has collaborated with a wide range of artists and organizations, including Merce Cunningham, Trisha Brown, and Lincoln Center. The company has also worked with artists from other disciplines, such as music and visual art, as seen in the work of Philip Glass and Robert Rauschenberg. Pilobolus Dance Theater has collaborated with companies such as Ballet Hispanico and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and has performed at festivals such as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Montreal Jazz Festival. The company has also worked with choreographers such as William Forsythe and Ohad Naharin, and has been influenced by the work of Twyla Tharp and Paul Taylor.

● Awards and Recognition

Pilobolus Dance Theater has received numerous awards and recognition for its innovative and collaborative approach to dance, including the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's Doris Duke Performing Artist Award and the National Endowment for the Arts' NEA Fellowship. The company has also been recognized for its contributions to the dance world, including a Bessie Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship, and has been praised by critics such as Clive Barnes and Anna Kisselgoff. Pilobolus Dance Theater has been named one of the top modern dance companies in the world by Dance Magazine and has been featured in publications such as The New York Times and The New Yorker, alongside companies such as Martha Graham Dance Company and Paul Taylor Dance Company.

● Company and Education

Pilobolus Dance Theater is a non-profit organization based in Washington, Connecticut, and is led by a team of experienced artists and administrators, including Itamar Kubovy and Robbie Barnett. The company offers a range of educational programs, including workshops and masterclasses, as well as a summer intensive program for young dancers, similar to those offered by School of American Ballet and Juilliard School. Pilobolus Dance Theater also offers residencies and outreach programs for schools and communities, and has worked with organizations such as Dance/USA and National Dance Education Organization, to promote dance education and community engagement, alongside companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ballet Hispanico. The company's educational programs have been praised by critics such as Clive Barnes and Anna Kisselgoff, and have been recognized by organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.