The Dance COLEctive to Showcase New Choreography in May

To promote the development of new work, The Dance COLEctive (TDC), under the direction of award-winning choreographer and teacher Margi Cole, presents "COLEctive Notions 2012," a concert program created by TDC company members. Performances are May 18–20 at The Drucker Center's Fassaes White Box Theater, 1535 N. Dayton in Chicago.

Kaitlin Bishop is creating a solo for company member Maggie Koller delving into the basic human emotion of sadness-how early childhood experiences with sadness dictate its existence (or lack thereof) in our adult lives and how we react to it, in it and through it.

Molly Grimm-Leasure is considering the idea that different people may see the same piece of art differently. She comments, "Does it change your original thought to hear someone else's idea? Or does it add another layer of understanding?" As she creates her work, she is having dancers view, write and move using her personal, abstract paintings to guide them through their own interpretations of what she originally saw before the brush touched the paint.

Shannon McGuire's piece focuses on the subjective and intuitive sense of knowing where one belongs. "Is there a sensation or a recognition in a circumstance that one finds the need to exist in a certain place? Is this place geographical, ideological or social?"

Alaina Murray's trio is about following directions. "Everything comes with directions: driving, cooking, games, taxes, school, work. What is the outcome of following, or not following, directions? Can not following directions prove to be its own path altogether? Routine movement sequences layered with surprising detours will explore these questions."

Melissa Pillarella's trio confronts the complexities of feeling and accepting resentment by incorporating athleticism and a non-linear structure. Music from local band To Destroy a City furthers the tone and theme of the piece.

Cole is committed to the concept of choreographic mentorship. "I have the opportunity to rehearse with these dancers and reap the benefits of their contributions to my own work on a regular basis. Now they have the opportunity to have the same exchange with each other and a little guidance from me. All they have to do is make the work and the company takes care of the rest of the concert production, allowing them to focus just on developing their work.  It is my great pleasure to support them in this way.  There quality and sophistication of their work is greater every year. 

Margi Cole formed The Dance COLEctive in 1996 to challenge assumptions about how dance is presented, through the use of cutting-edge choreography, innovative collaborations and inspired, creative, site-specific works. TDC's vision is to become one of Chicago's premier dance ensembles, recognized for its compelling, socially relevant and inspiring choreography. In fulfilling its mission and vision, TDC embraces collaboration as a core element of its creative process; values the athleticism, grace, power and strength of its dancers; and nurtures and promotes the creativity of emerging artists. During the past 16 years, TDC has contributed to the support of 21 choreographers, 58 dancers and 60 collaborators, many of them Illinois artists. TDC performs at traditional venues as well as creating site-specific work as part of its annual repertoire. The company also conducts residencies annually, including performances, workshops, master classes and lecture demonstrations.

Artistic Director Margi Cole has received recognition for her contribution to the field of modern dance through awards including the Illinois Arts Council's Individual Artist Fellowship, a Chicago Dancemakers Forum grant and the American Marshall Memorial Fellowship, which selects leaders in their respective fields to represent the United States on a month-long tour of European countries.