Professional dance has found its niche in current popular culture in the shortest of forms. 

TikTok videos, TV talent searches, and celebrity showcases all present their performers’ artistry in short, hyperactive bursts. Those snippets highlight the supreme athleticism of modern performers. And those platforms present those dancers’ skills to audiences of all generations and attention spans. 

That audience should know that there’s more to dance than what they see on the tiny screens. 

Fort Wayne Dance Collective presents Momix: Alice at Embassy Theatre on Tuesday, Feb. 4, to bring the full potential of athletic modern dance performance to life.

Story reimagined

I spoke to Mandie Kolkman, artistic director for Fort Wayne Dance Collective, about this jaw-dropping show. 

She was enthusiastic about working with Momix, a troupe with a 40-year history of elite-level dance performances. They have performed on film and TV, including memorable ads for Target and Hanes, as well as featured spots on the Golden Globes and PBS’ Dance in America.

“Not only will you see dance, but illusion and acrobatics,” Kolkman said. “So, it might appeal to a broader audience than people who are just interested in classic dance performances.”

Momix is led by acclaimed artistic director Moses Pendleton, and this show is a retelling of Lewis Carroll’s famed story Alice in Wonderland.

“Moses Pendleton doesn’t intend to retell the whole story of Alice per se, but he’s more interested in telling it from his perspective,” Kolkman said. “He is a photographer as well as a movement artist. He was the co-founder of the well-known dance company called Pilobolus. They do a lot of shadow work that’s really creative. 

“He really dabbles in botanicals,” she added. “So, in this show you’ll see a lot of references to flowers. The story is being told using acrobatics and flower illusions. People on stilts and hanging from the ceiling and contortionist work. So, it’s not only dance technique to help tell his version of Alice, but all these other strange, magical, and whimsical ways to tell the story of Alice in a way we’ve never seen before.”

Dancers from around globe

The popular appeal of an athletic and imaginative dance performance is bolstered with traditional dance underpinnings. 

“The company takes ballet classes every morning as warm up,” Kolkman said. “So, it is rooted in dance, but they definitely have the acrobatic look and feel.

“The story is told without speaking, sticking to traditional dance concert expectations, like a full-length ballet. It relies on the music and movement and visuals to pull through the storyline.

“There are 28 dancers in the company from all over the world. You’ll see company members from Wisconsin and company members from Ukraine. They all have backgrounds in dance, but some have a background in acrobatics.

“That’s part of what drew us to Momix as a guest artist in residence. Acro is becoming increasingly popular in the dance world, and just finding other opportunities to showcase our young performers… Here’s how you can combine acro and dance.”

Masterclasses

Note that part about “guest artist in residence.” 

Not only will Momix be performing on The Embassy stage, they will also be teaching on it in the day before the show.

“Besides seeing the performance, there are ways the community can get involved, including the two masterclasses the day before the performance,” Kolkman said. 

“There really aren’t that many opportunities where dancers can perform on the historic Embassy stage. It’s a very cool thing to be able to take the class and look out at the beautiful seats and atmosphere of our historic theatre.

“The first class (at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3) will be a technique class with some Momix repertoire. It’ll be blending the dance technique with basic acrobatic elements to enhance their strength and flexibility. They’ll be learning how to build up to the acrobatic level and working on smooth transitions. We’re offering it for intermediate dancers aged 12 and up.

“The class that follows (at 7:30 p.m.) is an improv and prop exploration class for teens and adults, with no prior dance experience required. This class will focus on improvisation, acting, creative movement, and the use of props. Momix uses a lot of props in their storytelling.”

Those masterclasses have historically been popular, and a group like Momix will likely increase the appeal. 

Limited space is available, and advance tickets are available at fwembassytheatre.org until they are gone.

Dance trends on tiny screens come and go at the flick of a thumb. Feel free to use your small screen to buy the tickets, but there’s nothing like stepping out into real life to witness world-class performers building on a historic ballet foundation with explosive acrobatic athleticism.