Pilobolus

Tomorrow

Benedum Theater

Tickets $20 to $56

Student discount…

Pilobolus

Tomorrow

Benedum Theater

Tickets $20 to $56

Student discount with I.D.

(412) 471-6930

“I am previewing a dance group called Pilobolus,” were the words that sparked a long conversation on the first day of class last Wednesday.

“Hey, they are that super flexible troupe, right?” said one student.

“Yeah, they are like Cirque du Soleil,” someone else chimed in. And the conversation began to flow.

As the words continued to mold, roll, curve, turn and even leap, Pilobolus and their stylized, acrobatic and majestic movements came to mind. Dancers in the troupe are known for their clustered formations that make the audience believe their work is improvisational, however, these movements and moments in space are sculpted, practiced and perfected. When the audience fills the auditorium, it is often amazed by these formations. Soon after, the audience is transported to strawberry fields where offerings of colorful, striped candy delicacies fulfill the sweetest, most tart taste buds.

The dancers wear colorful costumes and have bodies colored brown, black, tan and white, each equipped with a set of defined muscles that the audience can clearly see contracting with every movement. Each dancer grips onto the limbs of his or her partner, holding on for mere balance in life while defying gravity with his or her body placement. The dancers defy audiences’ expectations of what is humanly possible. Not only do their movements expand the public’s concept of dance, but their vision also transcends all other genres of dance as an art form.

The troupe also has a distinct vision and message that is portrayed through its members’ movements. Some of their messages depict pivotal moments in history such as the Holocaust and political moments when society has questioned governmental structures. Symbolic movements are also portrayed alluding to religious beliefs where close-knit clusters act as communities being possessed and hypnotized by divine powers. These movements are all acts of faith within dancers, between each dancer and space, and even between the audience and the dancers. All interactions on stage are noted as illusionary, acrobatic and athletic.

Pilobolus, by definition, is a phototropic zygomycete – a sun-loving fungus that grows in barnyards and pastures. Jonathan Wolken, co-founder of Pilobolus, came across this definition while working in his father’s biophysics lab. He thought that this term was fitting for a dance he created 30 years ago at Dartmouth College, where he studied philosophy.

The six dancers that make up Pilobolus were, like Wolken, not originally dance majors. An architect, a mountain boy and a string bass player make up a few of the dancers’ other personalities – but they have each vowed that creative thinking is useful in any field. The dancers have made efforts to reach out to all levels and types of intelligence in all communities.

Pilobolus is an American dance company that has been awarded and renowned worldwide. Receiving awards such as the Berlin’s Critic’s Prize, the Brandeis Theatre Conference Prize, the Connecticut Commission for the Arts Award for Excellence, and in 2000 received the Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award for lifetime achievement in choreography. They are constantly acclaimed by The New York Times, praised by international dance companies, and admired by young dancers and choreographers.

Pieces such as “Ben’s Admonition,” inspired by Benjamin Frankin’s words during the Continental Congress “If we don’t hang together we will surely hang separately” and “Walklyndon, Symbiosis” and finally “Untitled,” which contains full male nudity, will be celebrated in all colors. “Ben’s Admonition” will make its Pittsburgh premiere this Saturday.

The art of dance is so appealing that philosophers, politicians and sports fanatics find something utterly fascinating and contagious about its formula. The dance company Pilobolus is a fun-loving fungus that is bound to grow and spread in the hearts of all audience members.

Pilobolus tickets can be purchased through Pitt Arts.