Briefly describe the inspiration, motivation and/or loose narrative behind the work?
This piece was founded on the notion of relationships. I’ve recently been interested in how various relationships-with oneself, with another person, with a group of people- can be represented through highly physicalized movement. I also have treated this process of creating the work as a gift to my fellow peers and dancers. I feel privileged to work with such a group of hard-working and talented individuals that I wanted the piece to showcase their strengths as movers and individuals, as well as to challenge them in new and exciting ways

What influences your own inspiration or movement style?
As a dancer and choreographer, I always prioritize presenting work that communicates a clear message while also staying relatable to people of various backgrounds. I think it is important to remember that people who are not necessarily dancers are watching any performance and so there always has to be an element of my performance that speaks to the human condition.

How do you begin making a dance?
I always view choreography as a collaboration, so I enjoy bringing in material that I come up with and seeing how that reads on other dancers with completely different body types and experiences from mine. I view my role as a choreographer to highlight the strengths and creative input that the dancers provide, rather than to dictate dancers to abide by a strict sequence of steps.

How does your work connect to the larger world?
Seeing as the piece is about relationships in a variety of contexts to beautiful instrumental music, it is my hope that viewers will find something to connect with while they watch the piece.

When did you start dancing?
I started my official dance training as a sophomore in college when I was 20 years old.

This is Daniel Cho’s first piece choreographed for the company.

Briefly describe the narrative behind the work?
There is a different cast for the duet each night. Each cast presents a different narrative of a young couple meeting in trying times.

What lessons did you learn by choreographing to make you a stronger dancer?
This is my second time choreographing for Verb. I have learned a lot through this process about my aesthetic, and how to communicate my ideas more clearly. Every dancer moves and processes movement differently.

How do you use your dancers, and what do they contribute to your choreography?
I feel that the best work is a collaboration between the dancers and the choreographer. I like to create a couple of my own phrases to present to the dancers. Then, once they have my movement in their bodies, I assist them in crafting a few new phrases. These new phrases are normally motivated by a collection of verbs or adjectives given to each dancer. I then continue to sculpt the timing and dynamic qualities to my desire. This hopefully provides the dancers with the most organic-looking movement possible.

What influences your own inspiration or movement style?
I am inspired by the philosophies of Martha Graham and her modern dance technique. I am also influenced by jazz, musical theatre, and ballet.

How does your work connect to the larger world?
I hope that anyone who sees my work will see themselves in it. I hope that they feel something, anything.

This is Antonio Morillo’s second piece choreographed for the company.

When did you start dancing? 
I started creative movement at age 3, but formal training began at age 8.

As a choreographer and as a dancer, who are your influences?  Whose work do you really like?
I was definitely influenced by Kurt Jooss and his ballet, “The Green Table” for this piece. The caricatures he created through a satirical movement style were effective in communicating political commentary, so I expanded on that idea for “Unheard”. I am also a fan of/inspired by countless choreographers, including Jessica Lange, Justin Peck, Crystal Pite, Jerome Robbins, Antony Tudor, and Ma Cong.

What influences your own inspiration or movement style?
I like unexpected, quirky movement. I find it engaging both a dancer and an audience member. That means that I draw inspiration from all sorts of sources for my movement style. I can get choreographic ideas from observing my dogs, from the way a body of water moves, from how two strangers interact at a gas station…the possibilities are endless! I also feel that the music/dance relationship is essential, so I draw heavily from accents within the score along with the mood of the melody.

How does your work connect to the larger world?
I hope “Unheard” will remind people of how much further we have to go to treat the sexes (all permeations of gender identification included) as equals. Too often people think that because gender equality has been established legally that it is also practiced socially. It is my goal that this piece encourages audience members to listen carefully to how they hear and value the voices around them.

This is Kate Webb’s third time choreographing for the company.

Briefly describe the narrative behind the work?
This piece is about how the psyche can break when faced with tragedy, and the sculpting decisions made afterwards.

How does your work connect to the larger world?
I love taking things often considered “ugly” or “sad” and turning them into something beautiful. I think a lot of people live in a black and white world, where things are good, and things are bad. If I can help give people an alternate view of an ugly situation, then maybe these things won’t be so ugly and sad, but instead beautiful and meaningful.

How do you use your dancers, and what do they contribute to your choreography?
I always try to treat my dancers like human beings instead of tools. I find that when I do this, the dancers bring a much more positive and authentic quality to their movement. And when everyone is happy and communicating well, amazing things start to happen!

How do you begin making a dance?
I like to start with the music. Once I’ve found an artist I like, I start paying attention to how it makes me feel. From there I start interpreting my emotions through movement. And then I organize everything into a narrative that helps portray the emotions I’m feeling.

What you are looking forward to in 2019 as a dancer and choreographer?
In 2019 I’m looking forward to big changes and transformations. I spend a lot of time in my comfort zone and I’m excited to see the artist I can become when I step outside my own head.

This is Michael’s seventh time choreographing on the company.