Visceral Dance Chicago to Launch Third Season of SPRINGTHREE, 4/9

CHICAGO-February 22, 2015-Visceral Dance Chicago will continue its third season offerings with a Spring engagement at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park, the second mainstage Chicago performance of the company's third season. SPRINGTHREE, as the program is titled, will include world premieres by Artistic Director Nick Pupillo and Marguerite Donlon, as well as exciting works gleaned in the company's past seasons.

Following the premiere of his work SheThree this fall, Pupillo focuses his choreographic vision on the full company through a world premiere piece, Vital. Inspired by the passionate needs that often define the human experience, Pupillo takes his ten dancers through movements both raw and refined. Vital will feature live music performed by percussionist Peter Ferry and composed by David Lang and Ferry.

Pupillo will also present his collaboration with the Chicago Philharmonic, which premiered in February of 2016. Using the tango-inspired score of Osvaldo Golijov's Last Round, Pupillo creates a passionate work in an homage to the classic dance. The music, performed by an ensemble of nine, is both fiery and nuanced. The movement conveys a wide range of feeling in a series of intimate pas de deux, uniting the couples in groups throughout.

Marguerite Donlon draws on her dark-humored, dynamic choreography in her return to Chicago with a currently untitled full-company, world premiere work. Inspired by the personalities of the dancers, Donlon will use a mixed score of contemporary Irish and German composers. Relying on both composed sections and improvisational forms, the piece will explore a range of texture.

The SPRINGTHREE program will feature two returning works: Pupillo's female trio SheThree and Fernando Melo's men's piece Bate. Exploring a range of voices, SPRINGTHREE will feature the company in a stirring evening of dance. Visceral Dance Chicago is dedicated to presenting intriguing, innovative contemporary dance from diverse choreographic voices.

Visceral is proud to return to the Harris Theater for its Spring engagement:

Harris Theater for Music and Dance Chicago, IL April 9, 2016

ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP

Nick Pupillo, Founder and Artistic Director of Visceral Dance Chicago, graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet. In 2001, Pupillo joined the acclaimed Giordano Dance Chicago where he toured nationally and internationally for three years. Pupillo decided in 2006 to train and mentor young talent by developing the prestigious Visceral Studio Company.

In 2007, he founded Visceral Dance Center to provide the Chicago community with a new venue for artistic and technical growth. This facility continues to be a Chicago dance landmark. TimeOut Chicago lists Visceral Dance Center as "A bustling, well-appointed facility...with instructors from top companies and in-demand guest teachers." Utilized by a number of Chicago-based companies, Visceral Dance Center is home to its resident company, Visceral Dance Chicago.

Pupillo founded Visceral Dance Chicago in the fall of 2013. This repertory company presents his daring vision to explore the infinite possibilities of contemporary movement. The dancers of Visceral demonstrate this choreographic invention and are recognized for their technique, passion, and athleticism. In less than three years, Pupillo has led the company in a forthright direction, establishing a repertoire described as "expertly devised and stylish as they come." (Laura Molzahn, Chicago Tribune) He created five signature works for the company, Impetere, Senza di te, My Realm, Sum Noir and She Three. He has also commissioned world premieres by Sidra Bell, Banning Bouldin, Monica Cervantes, Brian Enos, and Robyn Mineko Williams as well as company premieres by Ohad Naharin and Fernando Melo. Pupillo continues the company's bold vision this season, commissioning works by Marguerite Donlon, heightening the "distinct flavor to this fledgling company that differentiates it from the other high kick, high flair, contemporary dance companies." (Lauren Warnecke, Art Intercepts)

Pupillo has received various awards for his choreography, including "The Dance Chicago Outstanding Choreography Award" in 2005 and 2012 and "The Cliff Dwellers 2013 Choreographer of the Year." His work has been described as "a stroke of choreographic genius...complex, tumbling changes...in this portrait of perpetual motion." (Laura Molzahn, Chicago Tribune) "Nick Pupillo's world premiere piece, She Three, was by far one of the most visually stunning performances I have encountered thus far." (Rebecca Curl, Chicago Stage Standard) Pupillo is frequently invited to conduct master classes in the U.S. and around the world and has taught for the Jazz Dance World Congress, Chicago Dance Connection and Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. Pupillo is currently an artist in residence at Culver Academies.

ABOUT VISCERAL DANCE CHICAGO

Founded in 2013 by Artistic Director Nick Pupillo, Visceral Dance Chicago is a contemporary dance company dedicated to a bold and progressive world of movement. In less than three years, the company has developed a diverse and respected repertoire. With works by distinguished choreographers Sidra Bell, Mónica Cervantes, Robyn Mineko Williams, Brian Enos, Banning Bouldin, Harrison McEldowney, Fernando Melo, Ohad Naharin, and Pupillo, Visceral Dance Chicago continues to challenge audiences' expectations. In January of 2015, Visceral Dance Chicago was named one of Dance Magazine's 25 to Watch, recognizing the company's accomplishments and potential in the national community. "Visceral Dance Chicago breathes life into the Chicago arts community with their ability to intertwine complex human emotions with the raw beauty of dance and physical movement." (Chicago Stage Standard)

Visceral Dance Chicago began their third season performing at the prestigious Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. In their Fall Engagement, the company presented a world premiere by Pupillo and the company premiere of Bate by Fernando Melo. In the spring of their 2015-2016 season, the company will create a two full company world premieres with Marguerite Donlon and Pupillo. In addition, they will present two collaborations with the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra and Family Bridges. Completing the season, Visceral Dance Chicago returns with the third edition of "SOLUS," a signature evening of solos. In an "expertly devised and stylish" (Chicago Tribune) repertoire, Visceral Dance Chicago distinguishes its unique position in the Chicago, national, and international dance communities; "...the buzz about this troupe is more than justified" (Chicago Sun-Times).