“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 has been a vibrant and integral part of the arts and culture scene, connecting artists and audiences since 2013. Celebrating over a decade of innovation, Visceral Dance has garnered national and international recognition as a leading force in contemporary dance. Founded and skillfully led by Artistic Director Nick Pupillo, the company embodies a bold vision to explore the boundless possibilities within contemporary movement, consistently presenting captivating works from emerging, established, and groundbreaking choreographers. Visceral Dance is critically acclaimed for the exceptional technical prowess of its dancers, their remarkable diversity, impressive versatility, and daring athleticism.
Visceral Dance has earned praise for its accessible and engaging programming, curating dynamic performances that resonate with a broad spectrum of viewers. Performing more than 25 times annually in Chicago, they are deeply committed to their local community, offering extensive educational programs that broaden their reach and ensure that dance and art remain accessible to all communities within the city.
Our Mission: To Connect and Transform Through Dance
The core mission of Visceral Dance Chicago is to create work that is not only aesthetically compelling but also deeply meaningful and impactful. They strive to produce dance that challenges audiences, fostering profound connections and transformative experiences.
To achieve this, Visceral Dance consistently pursues a deeper level of artistic intention, pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance into new territories. The company’s focus extends beyond the flawless execution of demanding technique to explore the authentic and genuine essence of human experience as expressed through the dancer. Visceral Dance Chicago believes passionately in forging personal connections with their audiences, the choreographers they collaborate with, and the fellow artists they share the stage with, building a strong and engaged artistic community.
“Such an astounding ability to communicate the inner-workings of the human soul…It is a rare gift to be able to speak to and command an entire room without physically saying a word and for that Visceral Dance Chicago should be commended.” – SPLASH MAGAZINE
Commitment to Inclusion, Equity, and Visceral Values
Visceral Dance Chicago is firmly dedicated to principles of inclusion and equity, recognizing that true strength and creativity flourish through diversity. This commitment is woven into the fabric of the organization, evident in the collaborative spirit among musicians, choreographers, dancers, and staff, representing a rich tapestry of ethnicities, identities, cultures, and perspectives. Through the power of art, Visceral Dance endeavors to dismantle barriers and cultivate allyship, fostering heightened awareness, mutual respect, and genuine appreciation for all voices, particularly those traditionally marginalized or silenced by societal norms.
Visceral Values:
- Representing and respecting all communities is paramount.
- Ensuring all voices are heard, valued, and recognized within the organization and beyond.
- Championing inclusivity through the arts, recognizing dance as a potent source of expression and a reflective, interactive instrument for promoting healing, compassion, and collaboration. This representation extends to all individuals, irrespective of identity, age, gender, race, physicality, or ethnicity.
