Review of The Tempest

Reneé Jaworski and Matt Kent spent time this fall collaborating again on a new production of The Tempest, produced by Round House Theater and Folger Theater.

Adapted and directed by Aaron Posner and Teller (of Penn & Teller fame), an unforgettable reimagining of Shakespeare’s most enchanting romance features haunting music from the catalog of iconic songwriter Tom Waits and mind-bending moves from Pilobolus, as well as astonishing feats of magic. Arriving just in time for the holiday season, the dazzling production—a smash hit in Boston, Chicago, and Las Vegas—“awakens in the audience a sense of pleasurable, almost childlike wonder,” says The New York Times. “Enormously entertaining,” raves the Chicago Tribune.

Read the Review here.

School Performances

Our dancers were sharing the work close to home this week with performances of our student show in five Westport schools. Pilobolus is a Fungus takes a journey through nature- perceiving the sounds, shapes, colors and movements of birds, water, trees, and of course, our namesake fungus, in new and unexpected ways. Based on our fan-favorite piece, Branches, we guide the kids to express their deep connection to the world through movement and dance.
Check out some images of the residency here

During the performance, we ask for feedback in 6 words. Check out some of the great responses below.

You

Are

Amazing

In

Every

Way

-Mirabelle age 10.5 5th grader at GFS

Happiness

Lightbody

Enjoy

Spirit

Movement

-Maureen Choe. PTA mom of Mirabelle

Hopeful
Inspiring
Confusing
Mesmerizing
Peaceful
Uncomfortable

Connecting with Balance

Have you always wanted to try out our balance class, but haven’t found the time? Join us on Facebook live March 15 and April 15 at noon ET for free, live Connecting with Balance classes. You can practice with program creator, Emily Kent and ask questions or share comments. Videos stay up on our Facebook page indefinitely, so if you can’t join us at noon, you can still practice on your own schedule.

We can’t wait to see you there.

Pilobolus @ Play at Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando

We were thrilled to return to the Dr. Phillips Center for the 6th year with our signature education program, Pilobolus @ Play. Pilobolus teaching artists worked with three groups: local high school dancers, participants from OCA and senior adults from Orlando Lutheran Towers. The focus of the week is to create new dance pieces with each group and share them in a performance at the end of the week at the Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater.
Read more about our residency here.

Giving Tuesday 2021

 

Happy Giving Tuesday!

November 30, 2021

Today is Giving Tuesday – a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. 

Here at Pilobolus, we're constantly inspired by the creativity and connections in the community around us. This year we're highlighting a few organizations that we love to support – within our local community and across the world.

  • ASAP! – a social profit organization recognized as the place for quality and innovative arts education year round offering literary, performing, visual, and culinary programs for pre-k through adult. Click here to support ASAP!

  • Steep Rock's Judea Garden – where the community comes together to provide fresh produce for members of our community with limited financial resources. Click here to support Judea Garden.

  • Institute for American Indian Studies – preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality and knowledge of Native American cultures. Click here to support IAIS.

  • Susan B Anthony Project – promotes safety, healing, and growth for all survivors of domestic and sexual abuse and advocates for the autonomy of women and the end of interpersonal violence. Click here to support the Susan B. Anthony Project.

  • Festival of Arts and Ideas - with a mission to bring world class artists to the community of New Haven, the Festival of Arts and Ideas celebrates community and builds economic development. Click here to support the Festival.

Nonprofits like these rely on depend on the support of our community.
We hope you will join us in connecting with them in any way you can.

 

Praise for the Big Five-Oh!

Praise for the Big Five-Oh!

“If Pilobolus keeps this up, it will flourish another 50 years. Let’s hope.”

-review by Wendy Liberatore

To read the full review, please click here: http://www.tothepointe.net/blog/pilobolus-still-super-human-super-stars

Pilobolus Announces New Board Positions

PILOBOLUS ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD POSITIONS 

November 8, 2021

In its  fiftieth year as a continuously-running dance company, the Pilobolus team is thrilled to announce that, after serving for two years on the Board of Directors, Evan Sturza is stepping up as our next Board Chair. Evan brings an infectious energy to his appointment and a commitment to institute significant change. His immediate goals are to diversify the Board, increase the visibility of Pilobolus both inside and outside of the theater, and strengthen the company’s financial position. 

“When I first saw Pilobolus 25 years ago, I was struck by the creativity of the choreography and the physicality of the performances,” said Evan. “Since joining the board, I have witnessed firsthand the impact the company has had in the dance world and beyond. Pilobolus uses dance as a tool to bring artists of different backgrounds together to create insightful and thought-provoking reflections on contemporary social issues. I am excited to help steward an organization that started as a social experiment and continues on as a social movement.” 

Evan is an experienced entrepreneur and finance executive. He is the Senior Managing Director of Biotechnology Investments at Hudson Bay Capital Management in New York City and a Trustee of the Esther Feigenbaum Family Foundation, a private foundation committed to supporting research and advocacy for patients with dysautonomia. Evan holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.  

In addition to Evan’s appointment, in our recent officers elections, devoted Pilobolus supporter and returning Board member Shauna Holiman, was voted to the Board President position, bringing a wealth of historical knowledge and unparalleled relationships within our local community. “I am delighted to once again join the Pilobolus board, headquartered in the very special small town where I live,” said Shauna. “As President, I am quite excited to engage in strategic planning, build our boards nationally and internationally and strengthen our financial position now and for the future. To me, Pilobolus is artistic genius and more than anything else, I hope to support them in their effort to create new work.”

Current Trustee Lela Ilyinsky will be taking the role of Secretary, which was previously held by Susan Mandler who served the board for nearly a decade.  New Trustee Monica Richter, global c-suite executive and strategic advisor holding positions on multiple boards, has been named Board Treasurer, following David Mechlin’s much-appreciated service in that role. We also gratefully welcome back Ciara Burnham, who previously served the board from 2014-2018 bringing her expertise in finance and education.

During this exciting time of transition reinvigorated committees are also being formed in the areas of development, finance, marketing and education.

It is with gratitude for his ten years of service as Board Chair that Howard Weinberg will be stepping down as Board Chair, however will remain to serve as an active trustee. Howard’s tenure has been epic, and we thank him for his unwavering support and leadership. We look forward to working with him in this new capacity.




Special Event for Hermés Fit

Pilobolus was thrilled to perform in Brooklyn for a pop up event for fashion brand, Hermes and their launch of Hermes Fit. Artistic Directors Reneé Jaworski and Matt Kent created a bespoke performance for the unique space - a one of a kind piece in a boxing ring! Fans and those new to Pilobolus enjoyed the physicality and beauty of the skill and creativity of Pilobolus.

UP! at LA Music Center

Pilobolus was thrilled to bring the Umbrella Project to the community of downtown Los Angeles. Partnering with the Music Center LA, we brought 6 opportunities to experience collaborative community art-making. In addition to these events, we also worked with two performing groups, Straight Up Abilities, and the Grand Arts dance program. We made new pieces with these groups that were shared in a performance on the plaza for community, family and friends.

Pilobolus presents UP! in Los Angeles

UP! THE UMBRELLA PROJECT with Music Center LA

October 21, 2021

In collaboration with the Music Center LA and MIT, Pilobolus brings  UP! The Umbrella Project, a free interactive community event where Angelenos get to connect with each other in a large-scale, live nighttime art experience using LED umbrellas. Through careful choreography, we will illuminate Downtown Los Angeles by changing the colors of MIT-designed umbrellas, showcasing a shifting landscape of brightly colored figures within a one-hour session. The Music Center’s large LED screens on Jerry Moss Plaza will display the colors, patterns and shapes so everyone can see their movements in real time. The innovation and combination of dance and technology make UP! The Umbrella Project a memorable colorful spectacle you will never forget.

In addition to the nightly UP experiences, Pilobolus teaching artists are creating new works with local dancers, Straight Up Abilities, and Cortines High School, Grand Arts dancers. Both pieces will premiere on the Jerry Moss Plaza Saturday, October 23, 2021.

Pilobolus Kicks off Big Five- Oh! Tour

October 8 2021

Asheville, NC

Pilobolus returns to the stage at the Diana Wortham Theater to kick off the Big Five-Oh! For this 50th anniversary celebration, presenting its world premiere in Asheville, Pilobolus questions its own “givens,” turns its traditions sideways, and brings its past into the future – in a thoroughly engaging new way. As fresh and vibrant as ever, Pilobolus –that feisty arts organism– puts the “Oh!” in BIG FIVE-OH!, and continues to morph its way thrillingly into audiences’ hearts and minds.

The celebration includes the vintage classic, Untitled, the high-voltage Megawatt, signature shadow works, and a few concepts that have never been seen before!