Pilobolus Dance Theater Grows and Splits
Pilobolus, named after a sun-loving fungus, is also the name of a unique dance company now celebrating its 35th year. Its 4-week summer season ended August 12 at the Joyce Theater in New York City.
Pilobolus is unique because it grew from a Dartmouth College dance class in 1971, using movement experimentation that incorporated gymnastics, modern dance and fearless choreography that sky-rocketed its vision into an art form. Choreographer Moses Pendelton, Lee Harris, Jonathan Wolken, and Robby Barnett formed the company in 1971. Pendelton, along with Alison Chase, who joined the company in 1973, also co-founded the dance company, MOMIX, in l980. Pilobolus has continued to delight and astound audiences with its humor, humanitarian approach, dazzling technique and tasteful showmanship. It now has a vast repertory of 95 works. The company has made forays into the world of skaters, the Rockettes, ballet companies and television commercials. It has an international reputation as a creative entity and for often being group choreographers on a single work.
Producing new works doesn't seem to be a problem for this adaptable company. Unrestricted by a legacy, they create their own vocabulary in each new work. New this season in the world of hilarious mime, Andrew Herro and Renée Jaworski, were an elderly couple reliving their hostile and romantic battles in "Memento Mori," choreographed by Jonathan Wolken, to a recording, in part, by Florence Foster Jenkins, that deluded soprano, in her vocal misinterpretation of the "Queen of the Night" aria. Perfect. Jaworski will retire, after 6 performing years to become the company rehearsal director.
"Aquarica," (2005) is a wonderous work of underwater antics with dancers forming a human grotto, as fish and other creatures, all danced with glee by the six tireless performers who comprise the company. "Ben's Admonition, (2002) by Alison Chase, Ras Mikey C and Matt Kent, is performed by two of the following Andrew Herro, Jeffrey Huang, Jun Kuribayashi and Edwin Olvera. The two are each bound at the wrist and swing from long, rafter-suspended chains. They are combatants, playful friends, enemies, thieves or anyone the audience can imagination. With current news headlines, the work took on a connotation of conflict and indecision. Its title was won in a contest based on a quote by Benjamin Franklin's admonition to a quarrelling Continental Congress: "If we don't hang together, we will surely hang separately."
Strangely prophetic, Chase, one of the four company artistic directors, broke away last fall after 35 years. It was prompted by a bitter exchange of letters by lawyers who, she said, cast her out by a new, corporate-minded executive director and board. It was suggested that she reduce her role, but stay on as a for-hire choreographer. Although the company has undisputed ownership of their repertory, Chase felt diminished in her role although she was offered access to her works.
Does this sound familiar? The works of Martha Graham were in a similar conflict with her copyright ownership....an issue that is still being challenged. Choreographers take note: If you don't own it legally, you don't own it. Take steps legally. If you don't want to hang with board decisions, you'll hang alone. It doesn't take an expensive lawyer to copyright your work, just a videotape copy, a copyright form from the Library of Congress and a small fee.