photo: gary thomas
Mission Statement
The core mission of Perpetual Motion Dance is to stimulate and inspire cultural development in Oklahoma through modern dance performance, education and choreography. Perpetual Motion is also committed to creating a collaborative network of artists and institutions to establish and sustain a unique multidisciplinary arts performance and education program for the community.
Company Overview
Perpetual Motion Dance is an Oklahoma City based non-profit dance company. Founded in 2002, Perpetual Motion Dance has since grown to become the premier modern and aerial dance company in Oklahoma.
The company’s repertory is evocative, visceral and innovative, aspiring to harness the energies of the human imagination. Original cutting edge works, created by company choreographers as well as nationally-acclaimed guest artists, transform Perpetual Motion’s concerts each year. Perpetual Motion is the first company in Oklahoma to incorporate aerial dance, setting them apart as a groundbreaking company.
In 2006, Perpetual Motion began the annual Oklahoma Contemporary Dance Festival, which brings together local dancers and choreographers for a month long series of rehearsals and classes. The Oklahoma Contemporary Dance Festival is a truly unique, collaborative event that unites the Oklahoma dance community.
In addition to presenting annual concerts in Oklahoma City, Perpetual Motion tours both regionally and nationally, including: ROGUE (CA), Out of the Loop Festival (TX), PILOT: Choreographers Take Flight (TX), and the New Genre Festival (OK).
Perpetual Motion’s touring program includes:
-Full-length concerts, averaging two hours in length and including eight to ten modern and/or aerial dance works.
-Performance Appearances, fifteen to thirty minute performances of one to four modern and/or aerial dance works.
-Private Party Appearance, aerial or modern dance performance custom to your event theme.
Perpetual Motion’s public dance education program includes:
-Modern and Aerial Dance Classes, weekly classes in modern and aerial dance technique.
-Master classes, teaching modern dance, improvisation, and choreography for private studio and secondary students at all levels.
-K-12 School Tours, which teach children in Kindergarten through 12th grade the importance of artistic expression as part of their overall education by focusing on the dance elements of space, time, and energy.
-PM2, Perpetual Motion’s teen company founded in 2010. PM2 creates a professional dance experience for dancers ages 13 and older. Through this program, dancers gain insight into the inner workings of a professional dance company as well as learning modern, contemporary ballet, and aerial dance technique.
About the Director
Michelle Dexter- Artistic Director
Perpetual Motion is a modern and aerial dance company celebrating it’s 10th season in 2012. Recently named in the Top Five Performing Arts Groups in the Oklahoma Gazette, Perpetual Motion has toured nationally and produced local concerts of fresh and evolving contemporary choreography by company members as well as local and national choreographers. Michelle's performance and choreography has been a part of numerous concerts and festivals, including four American College Dance Festivals, ROGUE in Fresno, CA, and the New Genre Festival in Tulsa. As a freelance choreographer, Michelle’s unique aesthetic sensibilities have been sought after for commissioned works by Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, and Muscle Memory Dance Theater. Michelle is Adjunct Dance Faculty at the University of Central Oklahoma where she received her BA in Dance Education. She completed her Master of Fine Arts in Dance at Texas Woman's University in May 2005 and was awarded the Excellence in Choreography scholarship. Michelle has been strongly influenced by her professional training at institutions including the Bill Evans summer intensives, the Lou Conte Dance Studio in Chicago and Dance New Amsterdam in New York City. Michelle is continually striving to fulfill the Perpetual Motion mission of creating a collaborative network of artists to establish and sustain a unique multidisciplinary arts performance and education program for the community. Perpetual Motion is thrilled to host the 5th Oklahoma Contemporary Dance Festival celebrating local choreographers and community performers.
