Visceral Dance Chicago Announces Fifth Season

Visceral Dance Chicago will launch its fifth season with their annual Fall Engagement, performing the program at both North Shore Center for the Performing Arts (September 16, 7:30 PM) and the Harris Theater for Music and Dance- the Company's home theater (October 7th, 7:30 PM). This year's Fall Engagement will include a world premiere by Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship Recipient, Danielle Agami, as well as returning audience favorites Minor Threat by Mark Godden, Ruff Celts by Marguerite Donlon and Synapse by Nick Pupillo.

The second mainstage Chicago performance by the company will be its two-night run of SPRINGFIVE, occurring Friday, April 6th and Saturday, April 7th at 7:30 PM at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. The company will celebrate its five-year anniversary season with striking world premiers by international choreographer Guest Artist Kevin O'Day and Artistic Director, Nick Pupillo, returning work by Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship Recipient, Danielle Agami, as well as reprised audience favorites. SPRINGFIVE showcases the growth and impressive coming-of-age of this dynamic Chicago company.

Returning this year by popular demand, The Dream will be performed on Sunday, April 29, 2018 at 3 PM at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. Based on "The Dream of a Ridiculous Man" by Dostoyevsky and accompanied by the Chicago Philharmonic live onstage, this emotionally charged, full-length narrative features the dancers of Visceral at their most dynamic and technically gifted.

Visceral's fifth season will be rounded out with the fifth installation of SOLUS (May 17th, 18th and 19th, at 1st Ward Events, Chicago). Individually featuring the ten dancers of Visceral in solos created by ten Chicagoland choreographers, SOLUS has become an audience favorite. Allowing the audience a closer view in a less formal setting, SOLUS offers the Chicago community the opportunity to see the personal work and spectrum of the company's abilities. This weekend of performances occurs in May, with full details and ticket information to be released soon.

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 nine signature works for the company, Impetere, Senza di te, My Realm, Sum Noir and She Three, Vital, Atlas, The Dream and Synapse. 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, Marguerite Donlon, 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 will begin their fifth season performing at the 26th Anniversary of Dance For Life, followed closely by a fall engagement at both North Shore Center for the Arts and the Harris Theater, presenting a world premiere by Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship Recipient Danielle Agami. In the Spring of their 2017-2018 season, Visceral will round out their An evening of exciting world premieres and classic company works, SPRINGFIVE will celebrate Visceral's scope of movement and artistic contribution to the Chicago community. This performance on April 6th and 7th brings to the Harris stage world premieres by Kevin O'Day and Artistic Director/Founder Nick Pupillo, alongside returning works by Danielle Agami and Pupillo. On April 28, the company will bring their full-length, emotionally nuanced collaboration with the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, entitled The Dream, to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts stage. Completing the season, Visceral Dance Chicago will return with the fifth 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).

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