Pilobolus Institute

A Personal Statement from the Artistic Directors

The Pilobolus Institute was conceived in 1991 as a way of coordinating the company’s diverse educational programs.   The forms are many, yet finally the Institute, in all its guises, is an attempt to communicate our understanding of the “Pilobolus Method”. 

The Pilobolus Method is, more than anything else, an approach to creative thinking.  By shearing away preconceptions of what a dance should be, and by eliciting from others through movement those things that are unique to them, the Pilobolus Method awakens our sense of what is beautiful and possible.  This was the initial intuitive impulse that allowed us, the artistic directors of Pilobolus, to focus some primitive understanding about ourselves and give it form.  Ultimately it enabled us to become effective professional choreographers without a traditional training in dance.  The Pilobolus Method remains the motivating force behind our creative lives and provides the artistic and philosophical focus for all Institute activities.

WHAT IS THE PILOBOLUS INSTITUTE?

The Pilobolus Institute is the educational arm of Pilobolus, offering a broad array of master classes, choreographic workshops, interactive lecture demonstrations, and performances, all based on Pilobolus’ unique collaborative method. 

Pilobolus has a history of reaching out to people of all backgrounds, many of whom may find dance hard to grasp.  Accordingly, our educational programs are designed for non-dancers of all ages as well as serious dance students and professionals.

GOALS OF THE INSTITUTE

The Pilobolus Institute has two things to teach - process and technique.  From the beginning of the company’s history in 1971, our work has been created by a group of dancers and choreographers improvising together in the studio. From this simple starting point a process of collaboration was developed that remains unrivaled in American performing arts.  

The originality that defines Pilobolus’ dances flows directly from the collaborative and improvisational conditions under which they are made.   We’ve discovered that these strategies are both eminently teachable and applicable to a broad variety of human endeavors. Young people can learn about group interaction and real life problem-solving skills.  Adults can rediscover what it means to play together creatively.  Subjects such as good leadership and good followership, productivity in a sensitive group environment, and honest discussion that does not hinder the free flow of ideas are central themes in all Pilobolus workshops.

The Pilobolus Institute can come to your school too! For more information please contact:

Pilobolus
Tel:  860-868-0538
E-mail:  info@pilobolus.org