Episode 114 | Creating Shadowland: Pilobolus

Knowbox dance
Dec 6, 2022
2 min read

In this episode the team talks with Renée Jaworski–the Executive Director/co-Artistic Director of Pilobolus–about creating work that responds to different aesthetics and cultures, the process of creating Shadowland, and re-imaging the show for Saudi Arabia. (34:29)

This week on DANCE BEHIND THE SCREEN PODCAST…

[0:12] The Team says welcome back and introduces Renée Jaworski, the Executive Director/co-Artistic Director of Pilobolus.

This conversation was recorded LIVE as a part of The kNOwBOX dance Film Festival 2022: Dancing Around the World Virtual Fest.

kNOwBOX dance X PILOBOLUS

[2:16] Topic: Get To Know Pilobolus

[2:28] Azaria asks: “How does Pilobolus share and respond to different aesthetics and cultures around the world?”
[4:32] Azaria asks: “For those who don’t know can you tell the audience what Pilobolus (the word) means?”

[6:50] Topic: The Creative Process of Shadowland

[6:50] Reyna asks: “Can you briefly describe what Shadowland is?”
[11:03] Martheya asks: “Can you talk about how you generate (customized city finale) scenes? How do you pinpoint what you want to focus on?”

[15:30] Topic: Shadowland in Saudi Arabia

[15:30] Azaria asks: “Can you talk about how the company prepares for these performances (in Saudi Arabia)?”
[16:39] Martheya asks: “Could you give some examples of the questions or conversations you were having?”
[19:19] Martheya asks: “Were there any non-negotiables for you or Pilobolus when remaining Shadowland for Saudi Arabia?”
[20:27] Azaria asks: “How did the people of Saudi Arabia respond?”
[21:23] Reyna asks: “Did any of the dancers share their experiences with you and how it affected them?”
[22:59] Martheya asks: “What have the conversations been like? When you travel with the company, being a woman as the director, how has that been received?”
[26:32] Azaria asks: “Do you think you will bring other pieces (to Saudi Arabia) in the future?”

[15:30] Topic: Social Media and Saying NO to the BOX

[27:38] Martheya asks: “Do you think social media is influencing the dance world? Does it influence the work of Pilobolus?”
[28:52] Martheya asks: “How do you say NO to the BOX?”