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.

Pilobolus's First Intergenerational Workshop Piloted at Skidmore College

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.

Pilobolus Partners with Saratoga Performing Arts Center for New Educational Program

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

Emily Kent featured on The Ballerinatist Podcast

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.

Connecticut Roots Captured by Fox61 Student News

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’s first-ever Winter Adult Intensive Workshop was a massive hit! Held over a long weekend at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, MA, participants worked with Pilobolus’s artistic directors and company dancers on movement and expression and got a sneak peek at new work Flight. Want to experience it? Come to our Summer Workshop!

• 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.

• Connecting with Balance continued to bring wellness to older students in virtual sessions for attendees located anywhere and in-person at the Washington Senior Center in Washington, CT.

• Pilobolus is a Fungus delighted students from Bridgeport, Fairfield, and Norwalk, CT, at Fairfield University’s Quick Center for the Arts–also the debut performance for our newest dancers, Ryan Hayes and Isaac Huerta!–thanks to Family Day contributions.

• Students at Danbury’s Mill Ridge Primary School also experienced Pilobolus is a Fungus thanks to a grant from the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut’s Creative Youth Development program.

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 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.

Elementary School Students Love Pilobolus!

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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Get info about school programs!

So long, Sean!

We bid a fond farewell to Sean Langford and wish him well as he moves on to other endeavors. Sean brought a sense of whimsy, silliness, and strength to each performance we will miss. Enjoy some of our favorite moments below. We look forward to working with you again!

Pilobolus + Lorelei Ensemble collaboration debuts at Denison University

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.

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

Family Day Fundraiser Helps Bring Dance to Connecticut Students

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.

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Interested in bringing Pilobolus to young audiences?

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Pilobolus Holds Adult Winter Intensive at Jacob's Pillow

Pilobolus brought its transformative adult intensive workshop to the historic Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, MA, for a memorable January weekend. Participants, guided by Executive/Co-Artistic Director Renée Jaworski, Artistic Director Matt Kent, and Education Director Emily Kent, explored the power of creative and collaborative movement in an experience filled with inspiration and connection.

Highlights included an exclusive sneak peek at new work Flight, during which attendees witnessed the dancers’ iterative process and gained rare insights into how Pilobolus brings its creations to life. The experience offered a deeper understanding of the artistry and innovation that defines Pilobolus, enriched by the opportunity to dance alongside Pilobolus’s touring company.

Dancers and non-dancers alike challenged their bodies, expanded their minds, and embraced the joy of shared movement in an invigorating and supportive environment. The weekend celebrated discovery, creativity, and community, leaving everyone energized and inspired.

To everyone who joined us, thank you for bringing your joy and possibility to this unforgettable retreat!

Learn more about our Adult Intensives happening throughout the year.

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All images by Emily Denaro

Original choreography by Pilobolus’s Renée Jaworski & Matt Kent features in love fail

From “head, heart” from love fail, filmed by Russ Anderson, T-Stop Productions

Pilobolus Executive/Co-Artistic Director Renée Jaworski and Artistic Director Matt Kent’s visionary artistry will be showcased as part of the Lorelei Ensemble’s reinvigorated love fail, debuting in February 2025 as part of the Denison University’s Vail Series in Granville, OH. 

Originally composed by Pulitzer Prize-winning David Lang in 2012, love fail is a musical composition inspired by the Tristan and Isolde legend and stories by contemporary author Lydia Davis, as well as stories by Marie de France, and Richard Wagner, Gottfried von Strassburg, Béroul, Thomas of Britain and Richard Wagner. Described by Lang as “a meditation on the timelessness of love,” the piece was expanded for the Lorelei Ensemble, a women’s chamber choir led by Beth Willer. The Lorelei Ensemble performed and recorded the updated version in 2016.

Now, love fails takes on an even more robust form: Renée Jaworski and Matt Kent’s choreography deepens the piece's emotional and narrative complexity by bringing Pilobolus’s signature blend of physical storytelling and visual poetry to the performance. Performed by a quartet, the work features all-new material, including haunting visuals, characters, ghosts, ancient and modern expressions of love and relationships, and inspirations from twelfth-century troubadours to modern poetry. 

“We started creating this work in 2019, but like so many projects, the pandemic delayed the full expression of the collaboration until now,” explained Jaworski. “We are so excited to finally bring our ideas to life with David Lang's beautiful composition and Pilobolus’s storytelling through movement alongside the live performance of the Lorelei Ensemble.”

Jaworski and Kent’s choreography adds a vivid physical dimension to the Lorelei Ensemble’s soaring vocals, with movement that blurs the lines between ancient and contemporary, real and imagined, grounding the universal themes of love fail in the tangible, expressive language of the body.

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

Ryan Hayes and Isaac Huerta Join Pilobolus

Pilobolus is pleased to welcome two new dancers! Get to know the newest members of our team and keep an eye out for them in upcoming performances.

Ryan Hayes is a dancer born and raised in Spokane, WA. He earned his degree in Dance Performance with a minor in Interdisciplinary Arts from Gonzaga University. After graduation, he continued his training at the Steps on Broadway Conservatory in New York. While in New York, he had the opportunity to perform Paul Taylor and Jerome Robbins’ original choreography in Section 5 of Esplanade and ‘group dances’ of N.Y. Export Opus Jazz. Additionally, he has performed with Jazz Choreography Enterprise, Sound Business Inc. in Dance Harlem!, Inland Northwest Opera, Human Kinetics Inc., and theater companies across the U.S. In addition to performing, he is passionate about dance education and guest teaches at numerous studios and intensives. 

Isaac Huerta is a movement-based performance artist from Whittier, California, and Orange County School of the Arts alum. He has worked with dance companies including Ezralow Dance, Invertigo Dance Theatre, KDV Dance Ensemble, Andrea Peña and Artist, Carlon Dance, Body Weather, and Wonderbound. He has danced with the LA Philharmonic, LA Opera, and the Pacific Symphony. Some of his Film/TV credits include Shake it Off: Taylor Swift, Chained to the Rhythm: Katy Perry (The Grammys), Bathtubs Over Broadway, and Focus World. He was nominated for a Henry Award for “Best Supporting Actor in a Musical” for Rattlesnake Kate, choreographed by Domonique Kelley. Isaac has presented original dance works in art galleries and the Episcopal Church with his husband and creative partner William Clayton.

Pilobolus’s Impact on Arts Education

At Pilobolus, we’re constantly inspired by the transformative power of dance and creative movement. This year, our education programs have touched the lives of thousands of students, empowering them to explore their potential and build stronger connections with those around them. 

Pilobolus is a Fungus and a student workshop.

Through student-centered performances and immersive in-school residencies, Pilobolus brings the magic of dance to schools nationwide. Our programs emphasize imaginative, self-directed activities that help students develop confidence, creativity, and the essential skills needed to thrive within group settings. If you’ve heard of play-based learning or social-emotional learning, we have been practicing these ideals since we began teaching in the 80s. 

These ideals are now being stewarded under the guidance of Education Director Emily Kent, who has over 25 years of experience in arts education. Emily, alongside our team of dedicated Teaching Artists, creates safe, nurturing environments where students can express themselves freely and learn the value of collaboration. Each session is engaging, inclusive, and impactful, fostering a community where students feel seen, heard, and inspired to express themselves.

The outcomes of our classes are immeasurable. Arts education can have profound effects on students' academic and personal growth. From increased GPAs to improved college enrollment rates and reduced dropout rates, the arts pave the way for brighter futures. Becca Bremer, a third grade teacher at Brass City Charter School in Waterbury, CT, witnessed Pilobolus in action and shared this insight:

"My students learned that working together was the only way to complete the fun tasks, which made them realize teamwork wasn’t as hard as they originally thought. I also noticed that students’ creativity skyrocketed after being in the dance class. They came up with all different ways to complete the challenges instead of trying to copy others."

Stories like this inspire us to expand our impact. This past year, we reached over 6,500 students, sparking moments of creativity and joy across classrooms. In 2025, we aim to reach 7,500 students, helping even more young minds discover their voice, build trust with their peers, and embrace their creative potential.

Without your support, our work wouldn’t be possible. Every gift helps us extend our reach, bring more students into the world of creative expression, and equip them with skills that last a lifetime. By contributing, you become an essential part of our movement, building brighter futures through the power of dance and the arts.

Pushing Boundaries with Our New Work

At Pilobolus, we believe in the power of dance to unite, challenge, and inspire. In an ever-changing world, our commitment to creating innovative dance works remains steadfast. As we look to 2025, we are excited to bring not one but two groundbreaking new pieces to the stage—works that will push the boundaries of movement and captivate audiences. And we need your support to make it happen.

Each season, Pilobolus creates awe-inspiring dance pieces that challenge perceptions and redefine modern dance. Our work isn’t just movement; it’s an exploration of storytelling, an invitation to witness the human body perform the seemingly impossible. We strive to evoke curiosity and wonder, showing that dance can be humorous, profound, and breathtaking—all at once.

Crafting these pieces is an art in itself. Pilobolus’s unique process blends humor, rigorous physicality, and unexpected partnering techniques to tell stories that resonate. Every performance explores the human body in its most unexpected and expressive forms. We invite audiences to engage, laugh, and marvel at the creative possibilities brought to life on stage.

We do this through our deeply collaborative ethos. We take pride in our non-hierarchical approach, where dancers, artistic directors, and visionary collaborators work side by side. This melding of perspectives ensures that each piece is a testament to collective creativity and innovation, resulting in choreography that is as original as it is compelling.

In today’s turbulent times, we need experiences that connect us, remind us of our shared humanity, and spark joy. Pilobolus’s dance works provide a space where people from all walks of life can come together, witness artistry, and share in stories. One dancer perfectly captured this sentiment:

“Pilobolus’s new work is essential for keeping the fungus alive! One of my favorite things about being part of this company is the exciting journey to create and collaborate—each process is different and difficult and exciting. The new exploration keeps me learning new things about myself and my community. There is no better feeling than taking a bow for something my fingerprints are on.“

- Hannah Klinkman, Pilobolus Dance Captain

Bringing these new works to life is only possible with the help of our community. Donations are integral to us continuing to create dance that resonates, unites, and elevates. By contributing, you’re supporting not just a performance but a shared experience that audiences won’t forget.

Join us in making these new works possible. Your support is a step toward creating dance that moves and connects us all.

You can support our new work now:

Educational Residency Delights with Lessons Inspired by the Animal World

Melody Green, Pilobolus Teaching Artist, with elementary school students at the Booth Free School in CT.

Pilobolus recently collaborated with Darlene Kascak, a Schaghticoke tribal storyteller, to bring a residency to Booth Free School in Roxbury, CT, and Burnham School in Bridgewater, CT. This residency was designed to share with the students the native perspective of reciprocity and interconnectedness by learning what animals have to teach us. Led by Pilobolus Teaching Artists Melody Green and Quincy Ellis, alongside our Education Director Emily Kent, this series of four workshops taught students to embody the characteristics of animals through dance. 

The residency centered around Darlene’s original story, The Council of the Animals, a tale she first created in 2020 for Pilobolus’s outdoor car safari performance. The story, rich in lessons from the animal world, was used as a foundation for students to explore how animals can teach humans important values and insights.

Over the course of the workshops, students from kindergarten through fifth grade were given the opportunity to create an original dance. Each grade was assigned 2–3 animals, and with the guidance of our Teaching Artists, they learned how to embody these animals through movement and character. The result was a 3-4 minute section, showcasing the animals’ unique traits and the lessons they offer us.

The residency culminated in a vibrant performance where every student had the chance to be both a performer and an audience member. The energy in the room was electric as the students took to the stage, sharing their dances with pride. To add to the excitement, Pilobolus dancers performed an opening piece that aligned with the beginning of Darlene’s story, set to an adapted sound score by Matt Kent, based on David Van Tieghem’s original composition.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Town of Washington for their financial support, which made this enriching program possible. This collaboration was a beautiful fusion of tradition, education, and creativity, leaving both the students and teaching artists inspired. It demonstrated how storytelling, movement, and cultural wisdom can come together to create a memorable experience that resonates with all ages. We also could not have done this without the partnership of Darlene Kascak, who shared her wisdom and cultural perspective with the students.

We are incredibly proud of the work these students accomplished and grateful for the opportunity to share these important stories with them.

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Interested in bringing Pilobolus to your school?

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Farewell to Marlon Feliz and Quincy Ellis

Marlon Feliz and Quincy Ellis in Symbiosis / Photo by Emily Denaro

Two beloved members of our Pilobolean family are saying adios to the road. Pilobolus is built on the uniqueness and irreplaceablness of each individual, and when someone moves on, it leaves a lasting mark on the heart of our company. Today, we say farewell—but never goodbye—to Marlon Feliz and Quincy Ellis.

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Marlon Feliz first performed with Pilobolus under extraordinary circumstances, stepping onto the stage in Australia due to the sudden illness of a fellow performer. Despite being only partially rehearsed for Shadowland, she performed with such grace and poise that the audience was none the wiser. Since 2014, she has captivated audiences as the lead in both of our full-evening Shadowland shows, gracing stages around the world before, during, and after the pandemic. Marlon has infused life into classic roles with authenticity, beauty, and care, while also helping create new works that will endure beyond her time with the company. She always brings her full self to everything she does, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Quincy Ellis joined Pilobolus in 2017 and his contributions have been multifaceted and invaluable. Serving as Dance Captain for both our touring repertory company and Shadowland, Quincy has brought his own unique perspective to new and existing works. His background in theater and figure skating gave him a distinctive approach to movement, which enriched our pieces and inspired those around him. Quincy has not only performed and created but also taught and guided others with great care and leadership.

While their time on tour with Pilobolus is ending, their impact on our community will continue to resonate. We thank Marlon and Quincy for their dedication, passion, and artistry, and we look forward to seeing where their next adventures will take them.

New Board Member Announcement: Anna Santoleri

Anna Santoleri

We are excited to announce that Anna Santoleri has joined Pilobolus’s Board of Directors. Anna brings over a decade of experience working in education and nonprofit leadership, most notably as the co-founder and director of Revision Education, an organization that empowers schools to launch outdoor leadership training programs. Her passion for the intersection of nature, movement, creativity, and collaboration closely aligns with Pilobolus’s mission, and she is eager to contribute to its efforts to bring joy and connection to a wide variety of audiences, especially students.

Anna has also been a course leader for NOLS, where she has led month-long backpacking courses and trained new instructors in culturally responsive pedagogy and student coaching. Her commitment to experiential, hands-on learning was also evident during her time as a ninth-grade humanities teacher, where she successfully advocated for and designed extracurricular outdoor leadership programs that empowered students to develop confidence, leadership, and collaboration skills.

As she continues to build her own nonprofit, she is eager to collaborate with Pilobolus stakeholders to ensure that its programming remains both responsive to community needs and reflective of the organization’s values. Anna looks forward to contributing her growing expertise in nonprofit management while embracing the opportunity to learn more about board leadership in a dynamic and creative organization.

Meet Our New Dancers!

We are excited to introduce our new company dancers: Sean Langford, Darren Robinson, and Jessica Robling! Meet them here:

Sean Langford

Sean Langford is a dancer/choreographer originally from New Jersey. He graduated cum laude from Mason Gross School of the Arts in 2016 under the mentorship of Kim Gibilisco. His performance career includes Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More, MOMIX, Alison Chase Performance, Keith Thompson’s danceTactics, Rock Dance Collective, Moving On, and Erick Montes/Danceable projects as a dancer and creator. As a choreographer/director, he’s presented his work at Gold Coast Dance Festival, The Craft NYC, Spoke The Hub Winter Follies, Gowanus Arts Annex, Park Slope BID and Local Produce. He is passionate about the healing power of movement and shares that through his work as a Pilates instructor and personal trainer.

DARREN ROBINSON

Darren J. Robinson was born in Enoch, Utah. The youngest of nine children, he studied dance at the University of Utah. Darren has an impressive background in musical theater, performing in shows such as Little Mermaid, Newsies, Grease, and Les Miserables. He has graced audiences with performances at the Hale Center Theater, Universal Studios Japan, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and the Broadway national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. He was most recently featured as a dancer/aerialist with Brian Sanders’ JUNK in Prototype. If not on stage, you’ll find Darren hiking, camping, gardening or sitting in a cozy coffee shop.

JESSICA ROBLING

Jessica Robling was born in China and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She began her training at The New York Chinese Cultural Center, learning Chinese Traditional dance under the guidance of Bei Bei Gu and Yuezhen Hu. She continued training in modern dance at Dancewave, performing works by Andrea Miller, Camille Brown, Kyle Abraham, and Larry Keigwin. In 2019, Jessica graduated from The University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a BFA in Dance and Pilates Certificate. Since graduating, Jessica has danced and worked in collaboration with Jenny Boissiere, Jin Wen Yu, Li Chiao-Ping, Liz Sexe Dance, Michel Kouakou, and Nimbus2 Dance Company. When not in the studio, you can find her napping with her dog, Otis, or taking him on a nice long nature walk.