The LIVE ANIMALS are a collective of independent contemporary choreographers and dancers with common aesthetics and values, sharing resources to explore the limitless possibilities of the human body and push the structural boundaries of our form. Equal parts whimsical irreverence and heartbreaking sincerity, frenetic physicality and subtle minimalism, the LIVE ANIMALS are fiercely committed to producing well-crafted and engaging live performance events in an increasingly technology-laden culture. We endeavor to seduce you away from your couches and televisions because we want to hang out with you, show you what we are working on, and chew the fat over a drink afterward.

Established in the September of 2007 by current director Kate Corby with Tess Dworman and Caitlin Marz, the LIVE ANIMALS have shown work at numerous Chicago venues including: Ruth Page Center for the Arts as part of Chelonia Dance 2008, Hamlin Park Fieldhouse, Links Hall, and Around the Coyote Gallery. Currently Chicago-based, we have national and international events on the horizon in collaboration with fellow alumni from the Dance Department of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and artists in all disciplines. Please peruse our video and photo galleries to find out a little more about what we do. You can also check out our blog: http://www.liveanimals.typepad.

Other than ourselves, there are no animals in the LIVE ANIMALS, but we spend a lot of time at the zoo nonetheless.

Team members for 08-09

Choreography/Direction: Kate Corby and Tess Dworman

Performance/Collaboration: Leigh Ann Boatman, Emily Braun, Paige Cunningham, Allyson Esposito, Allisa-Zee Hartmann, Maggie Koller, Erin Kilmurray, Steve May, Kate McIlvain, Angela Fleddermann Miller, Emily Miller, Anna Norman, Rebecca O’Connell, Denise Posnak, Leah Raffanti, Renata Sheppard and Lesley Werle




Photo of Nick Wagner in Kate Corby's 'Rift' by Daniel R. James
djamesld@uiuc.edu