Bodies in motion: Interview with Jun Kuribayashi
How do you think Pilobolus likes to define itself as a dance company?
I don’t think Pilobolus likes to define itself at all; especially not just as a dance company. Unlike your typical dance company, Pilobolus heavily relies on theater to captivate our audiences and not just dance. Another thing that sets our company apart is that our founders did not find their way to the stage utilizing classical dance technique, but by creating their own movement vocabulary through improvisation and observation. So if we were to define Pilobolus, I would say, “We’re the dance company for people who love to see dance, and for those who do not”.
The last time Pilobolus came to the Lied Center you were a KU student watching the performance from the audience. What were your impressions of the company and performance as a student?
The first time I saw Pilobolus, I remember thinking, “How in the…? How did they…? Wait… come on! Really?… Simply amazing…” At the time I had no idea how to pronounce the company name, nor did I ever think I would be up there performing the same pieces only years later.
What’s it like to have crossed over into a company dancer?
It’s been an amazing journey so far. I cannot picture myself being with a better bunch of crazy, passionate, funny, intelligent, talented people.
What were you drawn to in the company?
In all honesty, I actually went to the Pilobolus audition not because of the company reputation, but because I thought it would be a good opportunity to visit the Big Apple. By this point I had long forgotten the name of the dance company that had melted my heart those many years ago and simply went to gain audition experience. It wasn’t until day three of the audition when I realized something familiar about this company. It didn’t take me long to understand the magnitude of my situation, but by that point I had already fallen in love with the company repertory. There was no turning back; I had to be a part of this dance company.
How did growing up in Lawrence and the KU dance department prepare you best for what you’re doing now? Any lessons you particularly cherish from Lawrence/KU?
Lawrence has always been a cultural melting pot and I really think that helped me fit in with this group of open-minded thinkers. One thing I loved about this town is how laid back it was and I try to bring that with me wherever I go. I try not to stress out too much about the little things and keep it all in perspective which can be challenging at times.
For such a collaborative dance theatre company, what is it like to perform a solo piece? What goes through your mind? Is it a challenge? Emotionally? Physically?
Some people may see a solo piece as an opportunity for a performer to shine, but I see it as an opportunity for my colleagues to rest, hydrate, do their make-up and do whatever they have to do to get ready for the next piece. I was both honored and horrified when the artistic directors approached me with the idea of performing Pseudopodia because it is such a demanding piece. The first 15 times after I performed it, I had to lie backstage massaging my abs until they would stop contracting on their own. It’s also emotionally draining because the solos come second in the program and I’m already pretty tired from the first piece. And now? I love performing it. I’ve learned just enough technique to milk every stall, every counter-balance to make Pseudopodia a duet about the floor and the tumbleweed.
What’s the most physically demanding part of being a Pilobolus dancer?
Pretty much every day is a physically demanding day. If we’re not performing, rehearsing or teaching, we’re lifting each other up for fun or finding random obstacles to climb. The days that get you are when we do doubles. That’s when we do a matinee in the morning, then an evening show at night. Our shows are very demanding and to do two in one day is a very large task.
Was there anything that surprised you about becoming a Pilobolus dancer?
One thing that’s really surprised me these past several years is the ability of the human body to adapt. When I first joined the company, I almost keeled over and died after performing just one piece called Megawatt. Recently, it’s not unusual for them to program me in the first three pieces then finish off the show with that very same piece.
Are you looking forward to teaching the master classes here at KU? What do you expect will be different about teaching at KU, versus teaching at another dance institution?
I’m really excited to challenge the dancers at KU with some out-of-the-box thinking and moving exercises. I really don’t know what will be different about teaching at KU because every institution we teach at is different from the last. One thing I do know is that I’ll feel very much at ease teaching in the same building I once took my very first dance class in.
What is life like on tour?
Life on the road is fun and amazing. People are always kind and courteous and are willing to lend a helping hand if you need it. The only real drawback of being on the road so much is that we see our colleagues more then we do our actual spouses, kids(in the case of new daddy Andy Herro) and pets. It’s something we all have to deal with and it really can take its toll. A lot of us have purchased webcams to see our loved ones and all of us use our cell phones to update family members as often as we can. Is it worth it? Well, every once in awhile we’re booked to perform for our hometowns and that, I must say, is one heck of a motivating factor to stay in this company!
Links
Pilobolus Dance Theatre
Pilobolus’ MySpace page
Pilobolus at YouTube
Two members of Pilobolus perform at the TED conference in Monterey, Calif.
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I don’t think Pilobolus likes to define itself at all; especially not just as a dance company. Unlike your typical dance company, Pilobolus heavily relies on theater to captivate our audiences and not just dance. Another thing that sets our company apart is that our founders did not find their way to the stage utilizing classical dance technique, but by creating their own movement vocabulary through improvisation and observation. So if we were to define Pilobolus, I would say, “We’re the dance company for people who love to see dance, and for those who do not”.
The last time Pilobolus came to the Lied Center you were a KU student watching the performance from the audience. What were your impressions of the company and performance as a student?
The first time I saw Pilobolus, I remember thinking, “How in the…? How did they…? Wait… come on! Really?… Simply amazing…” At the time I had no idea how to pronounce the company name, nor did I ever think I would be up there performing the same pieces only years later.
What’s it like to have crossed over into a company dancer?
It’s been an amazing journey so far. I cannot picture myself being with a better bunch of crazy, passionate, funny, intelligent, talented people.
What were you drawn to in the company?
In all honesty, I actually went to the Pilobolus audition not because of the company reputation, but because I thought it would be a good opportunity to visit the Big Apple. By this point I had long forgotten the name of the dance company that had melted my heart those many years ago and simply went to gain audition experience. It wasn’t until day three of the audition when I realized something familiar about this company. It didn’t take me long to understand the magnitude of my situation, but by that point I had already fallen in love with the company repertory. There was no turning back; I had to be a part of this dance company.
How did growing up in Lawrence and the KU dance department prepare you best for what you’re doing now? Any lessons you particularly cherish from Lawrence/KU?
Lawrence has always been a cultural melting pot and I really think that helped me fit in with this group of open-minded thinkers. One thing I loved about this town is how laid back it was and I try to bring that with me wherever I go. I try not to stress out too much about the little things and keep it all in perspective which can be challenging at times.
For such a collaborative dance theatre company, what is it like to perform a solo piece? What goes through your mind? Is it a challenge? Emotionally? Physically?
Some people may see a solo piece as an opportunity for a performer to shine, but I see it as an opportunity for my colleagues to rest, hydrate, do their make-up and do whatever they have to do to get ready for the next piece. I was both honored and horrified when the artistic directors approached me with the idea of performing Pseudopodia because it is such a demanding piece. The first 15 times after I performed it, I had to lie backstage massaging my abs until they would stop contracting on their own. It’s also emotionally draining because the solos come second in the program and I’m already pretty tired from the first piece. And now? I love performing it. I’ve learned just enough technique to milk every stall, every counter-balance to make Pseudopodia a duet about the floor and the tumbleweed.
What’s the most physically demanding part of being a Pilobolus dancer?
Pretty much every day is a physically demanding day. If we’re not performing, rehearsing or teaching, we’re lifting each other up for fun or finding random obstacles to climb. The days that get you are when we do doubles. That’s when we do a matinee in the morning, then an evening show at night. Our shows are very demanding and to do two in one day is a very large task.
Was there anything that surprised you about becoming a Pilobolus dancer?
One thing that’s really surprised me these past several years is the ability of the human body to adapt. When I first joined the company, I almost keeled over and died after performing just one piece called Megawatt. Recently, it’s not unusual for them to program me in the first three pieces then finish off the show with that very same piece.
Are you looking forward to teaching the master classes here at KU? What do you expect will be different about teaching at KU, versus teaching at another dance institution?
I’m really excited to challenge the dancers at KU with some out-of-the-box thinking and moving exercises. I really don’t know what will be different about teaching at KU because every institution we teach at is different from the last. One thing I do know is that I’ll feel very much at ease teaching in the same building I once took my very first dance class in.
What is life like on tour?
Life on the road is fun and amazing. People are always kind and courteous and are willing to lend a helping hand if you need it. The only real drawback of being on the road so much is that we see our colleagues more then we do our actual spouses, kids(in the case of new daddy Andy Herro) and pets. It’s something we all have to deal with and it really can take its toll. A lot of us have purchased webcams to see our loved ones and all of us use our cell phones to update family members as often as we can. Is it worth it? Well, every once in awhile we’re booked to perform for our hometowns and that, I must say, is one heck of a motivating factor to stay in this company!
Links
Pilobolus Dance Theatre
Pilobolus’ MySpace page
Pilobolus at YouTube
Two members of Pilobolus perform at the TED conference in Monterey, Calif.
Back to Newsletter Home
