Pilobolus Day Returns with Dance Performance, Workshops, & Fun for All

Pilobolus, a pillar of modern dance theatre headquartered in Washington, CT, will host its annual community event, Pilobolus Day, on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 1:30 - 5 PM at Shepaug Valley High School. The rain or shine event invites attendees of all ages to revel in the joy of dance, movement, creativity, and collaboration. The event is $15 for adults and free for children under 18.

This year’s event features a performance of the new interactive show Flight School. Based on and incorporating Flight, a work inspired by original Pilobolus dancer and pilot Lee Harris, audience members will take to the skies and participate in an inspiring, lively performance about the importance of perseverance.

Following the show, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in one of three movement workshops led by Pilobolus Teaching Artists:

  • Connecting with Balance, designed to help older adults move better, feel steadier, and live more fully—no dance experience needed!

  • Alphabet Workshop, for kids ages 6-12 and their parents/guardians to explore the magic of letters, shapes, and bodies in motion. 

  • Pilobolus Dance Workshop, an inclusive intergenerational workshop designed to break barriers and build community for participants aged 13-113.


The day will begin with a soft start featuring lawn games and treats.

Proceeds from Pilobolus Day support bringing Pilobolus’s movement education programs to CT schools, including performances, in-school workshops, and residencies. Pilobolus Day is supported by a growing list of sponsors, including LesserEvil, The James R. Dougherty, Jr. Foundation, and Fat City Screen Printing and Embroidery. If you would like to become a sponsor, email info@pilobolus.org.

Purchase tickets here.

Pilobolus Featured in CT Art Exhibit

Particle Zoo with Connor Chaparro and Ryan Hayes, by Emily Denaro (2025)

Four never-before-seen photographs of Pilobolus’s Particle Zoo, taken by photographer Emily Denaro at The Joyce Theater in June 2025, are now on display at the Brookfield Craft Center in Brookfield, CT, as part of the exhibition Say It Loud!, curated by artist Honorah O’Neill.

A classic piece of Pilobolus repertoire, Particle Zoo portrays the inner workings of the universe through a quartet of male-identifying bodies—dancers Connor Chaparro, Ryan Hayes, Isaac Huerta, and Darren Robinson—embodying the organized chaos of life’s building blocks with athleticism, comedy, and play.

On stage, the work is a dazzling feast of physical invention; in still photographs, it invites us to look more closely at its molecular echoes and the unseen forces it suggests: identity, attraction, tension, connection.

Choreographed by Robby Barnett, Michael Tracy, and Jonathan Wolken in collaboration with Jack Arnold, Adam Battelstein, Kent Lindemer, and John-Mario Sevilla, Particle Zoo continues to reveal new layers through these fresh images.

Say It Loud! runs through August 24, 2025, with a reception on Saturday, August 9, from 5–7 PM. All Pilobolus artwork in the exhibit is available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting Pilobolus.

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In Review: Joyce Theater Residency 2025

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Members of Pilobolus pose outside of The Joyce Theater in NYC following the 2025 season. Top row, left to right: Ryan Hayes (Dancer), Gabriel Esparza (Lighting Supervisor), Evan Hausthor (Production Stage Manager); Middle row, left to right: Isaac Huerta (Dancer), Hannah Klinkman (Dance Captain), Connor Chaparro (Dancer), Jessica Robling (Dancer); Kneeling: Darren Robinson (Dancer)

Pilobolus premiered the Other Worlds Collection at The Joyce Theater in New York City for a three-week residency from June 24 to July 13, 2025. Two stellar programs delighted audiences and included two new works:

Flight, a playful tale of perseverance inspired by original Pilobolus member and pilot Lee Harris, and featuring contributions from longtime collaborators Paul Sullivan (music), Thom Weaver (lighting), and Márion Talán de la Rosa (costumes), all of whom were in attendance at The Joyce.

Photo by Steven Pisano

Lamentation Variations, Pilobolus’s interpretation of Martha Graham’s iconic solo Lamentation, was created in celebration of GRAHAM100 and the Lamentation Variations Project. The piece elicited audible gasps from the audience as the lights illuminated the stage.

Photo by Emily Denaro

Complementing these works were company classics and recent favorites created by Executive/Co-Artistic Director Renée Jaworski and Artistic Director Matt Kent, along with collaborators Stuart Bogie, Aaron Posner, and Gaspard Louis. A children’s matinee, curtain chat with Clinton Kelly, plus a one-night-only appearance by a lucky patron, Susan Austin, in a walk-on role in Walklyndon, punctuated the residency.

PRESS HIGHLIGHTS…

“It is a company of dancers that are totally in harmony with each other, a perfect collective whose lifts, turns and ability to deftly intertwine their limbs is mesmerizing.”  - Broadway World

“….an ideal concoction of movement and poetic storytelling….” - Interludes

“If you appreciate challenging work that will have you gasping, laughing, and pondering, be sure to see Other Worlds.” - DC Theater Arts

“Pilobolus remains one of the most unique and inspiring dance companies. Their blend of physical daring, artistic precision, and emotional authenticity continues to challenge and move audiences. Whether evoking childhood play, deep longing, or surreal dream logic, they remind us that the body, in all its complexity, is the most powerful instrument of all.” - Stage and Cinema

“After bursting onto the dance scene in the 1970s with its playful and artfully athletic work, Pilobolus has endured as one of the form’s most popular companies.” - NY Times

Additional Coverage:

Pilobolus returns to The Joyce for multi-week dance run
Interview with Executive/Co-Artistic Director Renée Jaworski and Stephanie Simon of NY1

Pilobolus dance company wraps up season in NYC this weekend
Interview with Executive/Co-Artistic Director Renée Jaworski and Matt Kent by Dave Carlin of CBS2

Experience Pilobolus’s Other Worlds Tour on a stage near you.

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Pilobolus to Open Penn & Teller’s 50th Anniversary Show at Radio City Music Hall

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Pilobolus, the world-renowned dance theater company known for its jaw-dropping physicality and theatrical imagination, is honored to open Penn & Teller: 50 Years of Magic—the legendary illusionist duo’s 50th-anniversary show—at Radio City Music Hall in New York, NY, on August 21, 2025.

“Pilobolus is thrilled to celebrate one of the greatest partnerships in history,” stated Pilobolus Artistic Director Matt Kent. “Sometimes, when you get to see behind the scenes, you lose a little fascination, and you wish you knew a little less so you could be thrilled. Not so with Penn & Teller. The more you see, the more you understand what they are doing, the more amazed you are. Penn & Teller have opened our eyes to the magic of magic, the hard work, the skill, and the love of it all. We owe the two iconoclasts a debt of gratitude.”

This show marks the latest in a series of collaborations between Pilobolus and Penn & Teller, including [esc], which premiered at the American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina, in 2013. The work incorporated Houdini-inspired escapes that require incredible strength, flexibility, grace, and control. The daring choreography was created by Penn & Teller, Pilobolus founder Robby Barnett, Executive/Co-Artistic Director Renée Jaworski, and Artistic Director Matt Kent. Most recently, Pilobolus partnered with Teller on The Tempest at American Repertory Theater,  a critically acclaimed production directed by Teller and Aaron Posner, with music by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, and choreography by Pilobolus. That project earned Jaworski and Kent a 2023 Helen Hayes Award for choreography.

Penn Jillette said, “We’ve worked with Pilobolus before. We’ve written magic tricks with them to do in their dance performances. They’ve never asked us to dance, and we don’t know what’s in store when we get together onstage at Radio City Music Hall. We should probably tell them that we never made it as Rockettes.”

Tickets for the August 21 show are available at pennandteller.com.

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Pilobolus Featured on Why Dance Matters Podcast

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On the latest episode of the Royal Academy of Dance's acclaimed podcast, Why Dance Matters, host David Jays sits down with Robert Pranzatelli, author of Pilobolus: A Story of Dance and Life, for an intimate conversation about Pilobolus's journey and the profound impact dance can have on people's lives.

Robert Pranzatelli. Photo by Elizabeth Foxwell

In this captivating episode, listeners get an inside look at Pilobolus through Pranzatelli's eyes—a writer whose life was transformed by both Pilobolus’s performance and adult intensive workshop. The conversation explores how Pilobolus evolved from humble beginnings in 1971 at Dartmouth College into the world-renowned company it is today.

The episode is now available wherever you get your podcasts. We invite you to tune in and hear Pranzatelli's thoughtful reflections on our work, our history, and the ongoing power of collaborative creativity.

Pilobolus’s Annual Ball Raises $370,000 for Performance and Education Programming

 

Pilobolus held its annual ball on Saturday, June 7, at a private residence in Washington, CT, raising $370,000 to support performing arts programming, including new work creation and educational initiatives.

Despite the looming possibility of inclement weather, the evening included a dynamic outdoor performance by Pilobolus dancers, set against a backdrop of the rolling hills of Litchfield County—a testament to the company’s innovative ability to adapt their ingenuity to any space. (Locals may recall the way the company pivoted during the pandemic, delighting revelers with Art Safari, their car safari born out of health safety constraints.) Works performed included Flight, Bloodlines, and Particle Zoo, all of which will feature prominently on Pilobolus’s new tour, Other Worlds Collection, debuting this summer at The Joyce Theater in New York, NY, from June 24 - July 13.

“The annual Pilobolus Ball is not just a fundraiser, it is a communing of our supporters, as well as an opportunity for them to see all that they are helping us to create and bring to the world,” stated Pilobolus Executive/Co-Artistic Director Renée Jaworski. “Pilobolus has so much to offer through our artistry and education, and it is all to make the world a better place. We could not do it without the support of the community that has grown to love and appreciate this work.”

Following the performance and dinner catered by Executive Cuisine, actress and paddle raise host Lily Cowles elevated the evening both literally and figuratively. Cowles delighted the audience from the stage as a “Tall Lady”—a character from the company's beloved work Untitled—with assistance from former Pilobolus dancer Zack Weiss, demonstrating how Pilobolus's inspiration truly extends to all. This powerful paddle raise, which brought in over $80,000 in just 10 minutes, was bolstered by a generous match of $100,000 by an anonymous donor, underscoring the deep commitment of Pilobolus’s supporters. The night culminated in a dance party on stage, where both dancers and local luminaries alike cut loose to music spun by DJ UGŪM (former Pilobolus dancer Kingsley Ibenche).

The ball was both a celebration and a call to action, affirming the value of Pilobolus’s deeply collaborative and accessible approach. With programs that span from Connecticut classrooms to international stages, Pilobolus’s work engages people of all ages and backgrounds in the transformative power of movement.

In addition to donors, the event was sponsored by All Season Party Rentals, Classic Turf, Everything Botanical, Greenhouse Wealth Management, Mejias Health and Wellness, New Preston Dermatology, Performance Plumbing and Heating, LLC, Studio Hill (gold level sponsors); Aspetuck Animal Hospital, Depot Dog, The Hickory Stick Bookshop, Peter Talbot AIA Architects (silver level sponsors); County Wine and Spirits, Five Janes, Oliphant (bronze level sponsors); and Athletic Brewing Company, Kent Falls Brewing Company, Lesser Evil, Litchfield Distillery, The Pantry, and The Po (in-kind sponsors). The event was generously hosted by Susan Haber.

Photography by Bryan Haeffele

Community, Cupcakes, and Creative Sparks

Jessica Robling soars during Flight at Community Rehearsal in Washington, CT. Image by Emily Denaro

On May 28, 2025, Washington Club Hall in Washington, CT, was bursting at the seams with energy, joy, and a packed house of local community members for our annual community rehearsal.

Set in Pilobolus’s primary rehearsal studio, the evening invited attendees to be part of the creative process and get a glimpse at new work. First up was a sneak peek into Pilobolus’s newest interactive performance based on Flight. Audience members helped power the “pilots” on stage by creating wind with their bodies and then helped power the creative process with their feedback, lending insights that will help shape the work.

Guests were also treated to an intimate preview of Lamentation Variations, a Pilobolean reimagining of Martha Graham’s iconic solo Lamentation, before its upcoming premiere at The Joyce Theater in New York City, NY, from June 24 to July 13.

And as if that wasn’t reason enough to celebrate, guests also raised a glass (and homemade cupcake!) to Artistic Director Matt Kent on his birthday.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this evening a refreshing fusion of performance, process, and party. We are always grateful to share our work—and our milestones—with our home community in Washington, CT.

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Attendees Microdose on Pilobolus at farm.one

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Isaac Huerta and Hannah Klinkman perform On the Nature of Things with Derion Loman (not pictured) at farm one in Brooklyn, NY, during the Microdose with Pilobolus event. Photo by Emily Denaro

Pilobolus—the rebellious dance company named after a fungus whose classic works developed in part from psychedelic inspiration—took to their roots this weekend with an immersive movement event in Brooklyn, NY: Microdose with Pilobolus. The dance theatre company took over farm.one, a brewery, taproom, and farm in Prospect Heights for an evening of sensory delights.

From the moment doors opened, attendees became immersed in the mind- and body-bending world of Pilobolus with interactive, pop-up spectacles that included tastes from work to be featured at their upcoming Joyce Theater residency, happening from June 24 to July 13, 2025, in New York City, New York. Particle Zoo’s tension-filled interplay between male dancers Connor Chaparro, Ryan Hayes, Isaac Huerta, and Darren Robinson (whose rehearsal videos have been whipping social media users into a frenzy) wowed the crowd with heat, culminating in Hayes spinning Chaparro on his shoulders like a human helicopter propeller. Jessica Robling, draped in fabric and a rainbow of lights, made shapes in front of a backdrop of live plants with movements inspired by Pilobolus’s restaging of Martha Graham’s Lamentation.

But that’s not all: Hannah Klinkman danced a solo in the chill-out room to the live music performed by instrumentalist and Pilobolus collaborator Stuart Bogie (Antibalas, Super Human Happiness), before being enveloped by her company members and flung over Loman’s shoulders for the showcase of On the Nature of Things. In this sensual piece, Klinkman, Isaac Huerta, and Derion Loman wowed in a glow of red light for a work set entirely on a three-foot-wide plinth above an awestruck crowd.

Former Pilobolus dancer Kingsley Ibenche—aka DJ UGŪM—provided the soundscape for the evening. A chill-out lounge featuring adaptogenic, nootropic, and herbal remedies from Sweetgrass Botanicals of Lee, MA—NECANN’s Best Dispensary in MA 2024—was on hand to expand consciousness. And Pizza Party Flatbush satisfied all munchie requirements.

This special evening of dance, music, and exploration allowed new and old fans to microdose on Pilobolus in an alternative space and experience the athletic ferocity of dance up close.

Want to experience Pilobolus? Check out our upcoming performances and special events here. Local to NYC? See us at The Joyce Theater; tickets are available here.

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Pilobolus on the Air: A Conversation with WAMC’s The Roundtable

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In anticipation of our upcoming performance at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, MA, Pilobolus sat down with Madeline Reynolds of WAMC’s The Roundtable to talk about the past, present, and future of the company.

In this special interview, Artistic Director Matt Kent, Artistic Associate Derion Loman, and company dancer Jessica Robling share how Pilobolus continues to break the mold of modern dance, offering insight into our unique creative process and collaborative spirit. They also discuss the exciting restaging of Martha Graham’s Lamentation, which will premiere at the Mahaiwe.

Tune in for an inside look at the artistry and innovation behind our work, directly from the voices that bring it to life.

Pilobolus’s Renée Jaworski Named 2024 Arts Hero by Connecticut Office of the Arts

Executive and Co-Artistic Director Renée Jaworski has been named a 2024 Arts Hero by the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA)

Pilobolus proudly announces that Executive/Co-Artistic Director Renée Jaworski has been named a 2024 Arts Hero by the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA). Since 2016, the Arts Hero Award has honored residents instrumental in elevating the arts in Connecticut.  

Renée’s journey with Pilobolus began in 2000 as a company dancer. In 2016, she was appointed artistic director, and in 2022, became the company’s first executive director with a dance background. Renée continues to bring a unique perspective to her dual role, both in leading the organization and maintaining creative input. As co-artistic director alongside Matt Kent, they created the internationally acclaimed Shadowland and jointly won the 2023 Helen Hayes Award for Choreography for The Tempest. In addition to expanding Pilobolus’s performance repertoire, under her guidance, the company has strengthened its commitment to education, bringing dance to people of all ages and backgrounds, especially in Connecticut.

“Pilobolus is named after a fungus, and so our deep-rooted presence in rural Connecticut is an organic fit,” explained Jaworski. “The natural environment profoundly influences our work, from pieces directly inspired by nature to site-specific performances that transform landscapes into living stages.”

Beyond performance, Pilobolus is dedicated to arts education, working in diverse communities across Connecticut, from cities like Waterbury to rural towns like Washington, where Pilobolus is based. She continued, “Our dancers not only perform on stage but also act as teaching artists, gaining valuable perspectives that inform their artistry. Through intensives, kid camps, in-school programs, and our Connecting With Balance® initiative, we introduce movement to those who might not otherwise have access, using dance to foster collaboration, confidence, and wellness. Thanks to donor support and grants, many of these programs are free, reinforcing our mission to make dance accessible to all. Connecticut–its landscape and its people–are an essential collaborator in our creative process.” 

“Congratulations to Pilobolus Executive Director Renee Jaworski on her well-deserved recognition as a 2024 Arts Hero in Connecticut,” stated Connecticut State Representative Maria Horn. “Renee's work as a dancer and leader of Pilobolus has expanded communities' access to dance and performance, and brought the joy of movement to audiences and participants across the world. We're proud to call Pilobolus one of our own in the Northwest Corner, and grateful for Renee's inspiring leadership.”

Renée Jaworski’s recognition as a 2024 Arts Hero highlights the vibrancy of the arts in Connecticut and the power of movement to connect people, place, and purpose.  

About Pilobolus
Pilobolus has tested the limits of human physicality to explore the beauty and power of connected bodies since being founded at Dartmouth College in 1971. Pilobolus has performed on Broadway, at The Oscars, and the Olympic Games, and created over 160 dance works. The mission of Pilobolus is to create, perform, and preserve dance, expand and diversify audiences, and teach dancers, non-dancers, and organizations to harness creative and collaborative potential through the joy of movement. Visit pilobolus.org for more information.

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Pilobolus's First Intergenerational Workshop Piloted at Skidmore College

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Community Class at Skidmore College, images by Sara DiPasquale

On March 19, 2025, Pilobolus and Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) kicked off their newly unveiled educational partnership with a pilot workshop at Skidmore College. Participants of all ages—from college dance majors to local older adults—came together to move, connect, and create. Led by Pilobolus’s Education Director Emily Kent and Artistic Associate Derion Loman, the session focused on building collaboration and capability through movement. Following the workshop, participants provided feedback about the experience that will inform the creation and development of the full initiative.

This pilot workshop marks the beginning of Pilobolus’s nationwide initiative to bring dance and movement education to more communities. With a focus on accessibility and collaboration, the initiative builds on Pilobolus’s existing educational programs, which include masterclasses, kids camp, and Connecting with Balance, our signature program created with older adults in mind.

Read more about the pilot program.



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Pilobolus Partners with Saratoga Performing Arts Center for New Educational Program

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SPAC and Pilobolus Logos for Press Release.png

Saratoga Performing Arts Center Selected  as First National Partner and Incubation Site for Acclaimed Modern Dance Company Pilobolus

SPAC and Pilobolus will co-create programming in collaboration with Skidmore College Dance Department to inform dance education practices nationwide

Multi-year partnership kicks off in Saratoga with a pilot workshop bringing together Skidmore College dance students and adults aged 50+ on March 19

Saratoga Springs, NY (March 17, 2025) — Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) announces that it has been selected as the first partner and incubation site to join modern dance company Pilobolus in the creation of a nationwide education program. Following an extensive feasibility study, SPAC is one of just three sites that the company will partner with for this multi-year initiative to expand their collective reach and impact. Aligning their missions to make art and dance inclusive and accessible to all, SPAC and Pilobolus will co-develop creative movement programming that fosters connection, creativity, and well-being. The Joyce Theater in New York City has also committed to the initiative with plans to join in the development of the program in future years.

“The SPAC Education program has grown exponentially over the years, now serving over 50,000 students every year throughout the Capital Region. But not only has the program vastly expanded its numbers, it has emerged as a true innovator in the field and an advocate for the impact that the arts can have on our health and well-being,” says Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “Partnering with Pilobolus is an exciting next step in this work, merging their imaginative approach to the creative process with our inclusive and accessible educational philosophy and practice.”

To launch this new initiative, SPAC, Pilobolus, and the Skidmore College Dance Department will hold a pilot workshop on Wednesday, March 19 from 10:10 a.m. to noon, which invites adults aged 50+ to learn alongside Skidmore College dance students in an open and inclusive environment. Led by Pilobolus teaching artists, the session will invite participants to explore creative problem-solving, experimentation, and teamwork through movement. Following the workshop, participants will share reflections and feedback to help shape the methodology of this new initiative. 

“SPAC has an amazing education program with its SPAC School of the Arts and partnerships with hundreds of schools and nonprofits throughout the region. Its existing infrastructure and shared values of inclusion and accessibility make SPAC a natural partner for us to launch this new initiative. Additionally, Saratoga Springs and the surrounding regions are the ideal size for us to make a significant impact,” says Emily Kent, Education Director of Pilobolus. “Like the nature of the Pilobolus fungus itself, which inspired the company’s name, we hope that this initiative will spur growth that extends beyond our individual communities to inform creative movement practices across the country.”

This new multi-year partnership follows SPAC’s previous collaborations with Pilobolus, which began in 2021 with the company’s participation in the Festival of Young Artists. In 2023, SPAC presented the full company at Spa Little Theater and the SPAC School of the Arts with two performances of its Re:CREATION Tour and a series of community workshops.  

Additional details about the initiative and programming will be announced at a later date. Visit spac.org for information. 

Pilot Workshop:

Pilobolus Creative Movement Exploration
Wednesday, March 19 | 10:10 AM – 12 PM

Pilobolus, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and the Skidmore College Dance Department will hold a unique, community-driven creative movement experience. This special workshop marks the beginning of a multi-year initiative designed to develop dance programming that fosters connection, creativity, and well-being.

Inspired by Pilobolus’s signature approach to movement, this engaging session invites participants to explore creative problem-solving, experimentation, and teamwork in a fun, energetic environment. Led by Pilobolus Teaching Artists, participants will

• Unlock creativity and experience the joy of movement in a playful, group-driven workshop.
• Collaborate with others to create original material and discover new ways to express oneself through movement.
• Engage in meaningful discussion following the movement session, sharing reflections and feedback to help shape this wellness-focused initiative.


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Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), located in the historic resort town of Saratoga Springs in upstate New York, is one of America’s most prestigious outdoor amphitheaters. Its tranquil setting in a 2,400-acre park preserve surrounded by hiking trails, geysers, and natural mineral springs draws lovers of arts, culture and nature for performances by resident companies New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Saratoga Jazz Festival, and concerts by Live Nation. SPAC also hosts imaginative programming such as Caffè Lena @ SPAC and initiatives in culinary, literary, healing and visual arts.  

SPAC is a 501c3 charitable organization. Donations and proceeds from fundraising events benefit the Center’s thriving education program, community outreach efforts, and the vibrancy of its programming. For more information visit spac.org.

Pilobolus
Pilobolus has tested the limits of human physicality to explore the beauty and power of connected bodies since being founded at Dartmouth College in 1971. Pilobolus has performed on Broadway, at The Oscars, and the Olympic games, and created over 160 dance works. The mission of Pilobolus is to create, perform, and preserve dance, expand and diversify audiences, and teach dancers, non-dancers, and organizations to harness creative and collaborative potential through the joy of movement.

Press Contact:

Kristy Godette Ventre 
518-316-1435 (m.)
kventre@spac.org

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Emily Kent featured on The Ballerinatist Podcast

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When Pilobolus began in 1971, it wasn’t founded by dancers—it was created by a group of adventurous minds exploring movement and breaking boundaries of what the human body can do. More than fifty years later, that spirit of innovation still fuels Pilobolus, not just on stage but in the way it teaches movers of all ages.

In the latest episode of The Ballerinaist, Education Director Emily Kent explores how she transformed the way Pilobolus teaches both inside the studio and out in the world. In conversation with host Melissa Croushorn, she discusses Pilobolus’s educational initiatives from kids camps and intensive workshops, to her evolving programs to prevent fall risks for older adults. Emily also dives into what it takes to be a Pilobolus dancer and why improvisation is at the heart of the creative process.

“Learning to Fall with Emily Kent” is a must-listen podcast episode for anyone curious about dance, creativity, and the power of learning through movement.

Tune in below or listen on Apple Podcasts.

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Connecticut Roots Captured by Fox61 Student News

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While Pilobolus tours internationally, bringing our unique blend of dance and storytelling to audiences around the world, Connecticut is the place we call home. That’s why we were thrilled when student reporters from Shepaug Valley High School in Washington, CT, chose to feature us for FOX61 Student News! Their segment offers a fresh, behind-the-scenes look at our creative process, captured through the eyes of the next generation of storytellers. Watch now to see how our local roots continue to inspire our global impact!

Rehearsal for Flight at Pilobolus’s space in CT.

 

Educational Highlights: Winter 2025

Attendees of Pilobolus’s Winter Intensive at Jacob’s Pillow. Photo by Emily Denaro

Pilobolus’s educational initiatives have been igniting imaginations and energizing students of all ages across the country. Read about some of our program highlights below!

  • Pilobolus@Play in Orlando, FL, led by Pilobolus Teaching Artists Krystal Butler and Derion Loman, brought students from the Center for Health and Wellbeing, Chance 2 Dance, and OCA plus pre-professional high school dancers together in our collaborative movement residency program, culminating in a performance at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

  • A new partnering masterclass led by Pilobolus Teaching Artists Quincy Ellis and Paul Liu debuted in NYC to immense enthusiasm and interest from the dance community.

  • In-school programs MOVIN’ and Council of the Animals delighted Connecticut students in Litchfield County, CT, at Sarah Noble Intermediate School and Washington Primary School.

New Board Member Announcement: Conna Weiner

Conna Weiner

We are excited to announce the newest appointee to Pilobolus’s Board of Trustees, Conna Weiner. Conna is a U.S. and international mediator and arbitrator based in Massachusetts with a longtime passion for dance.

Conna Weiner is amazed and honored that the opportunity to serve Pilobolus has presented itself at this time in her life; she sees it as a way to contribute the many disparate strands of her life experience to support one of the most interesting, innovative, long-lived and important arts groups in the world of movement/theatre/dance in the U.S. and even internationally.

Those strands include a long one as a near-professional modern dancer in Martha Graham and May O’Donnell-inspired techniques. Conna’s parents, wary of her excess energy, injected her into movement classes at the age of four and it took – she grew up dancing with the Steffi Nossen School in Westchester and its associated dance company, was a scholarship student at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival for four summers – where she first encountered Pilobolus -- and went to NYU Tisch School of the Arts for her first year of college. She pivoted to Oberlin College – where she double-majored in Government and Dance and choreographed pieces in collaboration with the Oberlin Music Conservatory – and eventually went to law school at the University of Chicago, but never lost her love of dance and has been a huge Pilobolus fan for years. A road trip to Bethesda, MD, and the Round House Theatre to see The Tempest was a recent reminder of the versatility of the Pilobolus vision. Everything is unique and special, from how the dances are created to what they are. Fun, playful, sexy and intellectual. Humor and pathos. Sculpture, movement, theatre, dance. Conna met Emily Kent at a Jacob’s Pillow gala and has gone to the Pilobolus Ball several times since.

Conna Weiner at Pilobolus's Winter Intensive Workshop at Jacob's Pillow

Conna at Pilobolus’s first Winter Intensive workshop at Jacob’s Pillow, Becket, MA.

Conna’s time as a dancer and in the arts has been critical to her identity – and to her appreciation of the value of the performing arts generally to communicating and validating what is most human about us, the power of performance, collaboration, and creativity.

She is now a full-time US and international mediator and arbitrator helping businesses resolve their disputes and get back to productive pursuits, specializing in complex commercial, life sciences, healthcare, and intellectual property matters. Collaboration, creativity, and improvisation are important in her work in managing and resolving conflict and managing cases, and the ability to support this spirit as it is practiced in the unique Pilobolean way – funding for which will only become more challenging – is a privilege. She prepared for her board service by attending the Pilobolus Winter Workshop at Jacob’s Pillow, bringing her full circle to a dance place she loves and a company philosophy and outlook that she finds awe-inspiring.

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Elementary School Students Love Pilobolus!

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Artistic Director Matt Kent (bottom left) with dancers (from upper left to right) Ryan Hayes, Connor Chaparro, Darren Robinson, Jessica Robling, Hannah Klinkman, and Isaac Huerta at Mill Ridge Primary School, Danbury, CT. Photo by Anna Bate


Pilobolus received a $5,000 grant from the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut through its Creative Youth Development program, which focuses on bringing arts programming to youth in Danbury, Connecticut. Thanks to this funding, Pilobolus performed our educational show Pilobolus is a Fungus for students at Mill Ridge Primary School. Using nature and dance as tools, the show reminded students to lift their heads from their electronics, participate in the world around them, and engage in mindfulness.

Interested in bringing Pilobolus to your school?

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Pilobolus + Lorelei Ensemble collaboration debuts at Denison University

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All photos by Jo McCulty

Pilobolus Executive/Co-Artistic Director Renée Jaworski and Artistic Director Matt Kent brought their visionary artistry to their collaboration with Lorelei Ensemble’s reinvigorated love fail, which debuted on February 5, 2025, as part of Denison University’s Vail Series in Granville, OH. The choreography infused the piece with Pilobolus’s signature physical storytelling, enhancing the emotional depth and narrative complexity of David Lang’s haunting composition.

Performed by a quartet of dancers that included Krystal Butler, Erin Dooley, Quincy Ellis, and Kingsley Ibeneche, the work featured evocative visuals amplified by the Grammy-nominated Lorelei Ensemble’s soaring vocals.

Read more about the extraordinary collaboration in this review from Denison University’s The Denisonian.

Interested in collaborating with Pilobolus? Contact us at info@pilobolus.org for more information on creative collaborations or bespoke project ideas.

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Family Day Fundraiser Helps Bring Dance to Connecticut Students

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A section from Branches, as part of Pilobolus is a Fungus, at the Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield, CT. Photo by Emily Denaro

Thanks to Michael and Amber Nickols and all Family Day contributors, funds raised from Pilobolus’s Family Day fundraiser, an annual event that seeks to grow support for educational initiatives, students from six Connecticut schools experienced the magic of Pilobolus up close. Partnering with Fairfield University’s Quick Center for the Arts, Pilobolus brought the interactive educational show, Pilobolus is a Fungus, to young audiences and led an inspiring workshop at the James J. Curiale School in Bridgeport, CT.

On January 28, 2025, students from Bridgeport, Fairfield, and Norwalk schools gathered to watch Pilobolus is a Fungus, an interactive performance designed to encourage movement, creativity, and mindfulness from the stage to the seats. Centered around the Pilobolus classic, Branches, the show used nature and dance as storytelling tools, urging students to look beyond their screens, engage with the world around them, and embrace collaboration.

Artistic Director Matt Kent and the Pilobolus dancers lead students in The Wave during Pilobolus is a Fungus at Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield, CT. Photo by Emily Denaro

The experience began with students watching six Pilobolus dancers warm up on stage, followed by a 45-minute performance and a 10-minute Q&A session with the dancers and Pilobolus Artistic Director Matt Kent. Young audience members eagerly engaged, asking insightful questions about the preparation process, the unique bird sounds in the soundtrack, and even the dancers’ favorite moments from the show.

The partnership with the Quick Center for the Arts provided an opportunity for students to witness a fully staged production, complete with professional lighting and sound. While Pilobolus is a Fungus is adaptable to be performed in various spaces, seeing it on a theater stage enhanced the overall experience for these young viewers.

Students on stage during Pilobolus is a Fungus at the Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield, CT. Photo by Emily Denaro

Following the performance, Pilobolus Artistic Director Matt Kent, Education Director Emily Kent, and a team of dancers led a special workshop for 4th - 8th grade students at the James J. Curiale School. The students, many of whom are part of their school’s dance and cheer teams, face limited access to these programs because of logistical challenges. This made the workshop an even more meaningful experience.

The session focused on structured improvisation, encouraging students to explore their creativity while working collaboratively. The hour-long class culminated in a show-and-tell presentation, where students performed their newly created dance pieces for their classmates and younger students.

Beyond the joy of movement, the workshop imparted valuable soft skills that will serve students in their academic and professional futures. From problem-solving and teamwork to creative expression, the lessons learned through dance extended far beyond the classroom.

Interested in bringing Pilobolus to young audiences?