DANCEANTONINI is a critically acclaimed movement group located in the Washington DC metro area. It is directed by Lou Antonini, and consists of an eclectic blend of artists and a broad range of work.

Our primary focus is centered on bridging modern dance, movement awareness, and dance-theater to the public eye. We have so this through company concerts, cultural events, site-specific projects, and community outreach.

We have been presented by The Shakespeare Theater Company, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, Space 7:10 at the Kefa Cafe, World Arts Focus, The Joy of Motion Dance Center, and the Capital Fringe through the generous support of the Downtown DC Buisness Improvement District, The Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association and the Douglas Development Corporation. We have also participated in Art-O-Matic, Arts on Foot, the DC International Improvisation Festival, and The Dinner Party. DanceAntonini is a CultureCapital.com particpant through the Dance/Metro DC partnership agreement with the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington.

Through our Dance Outside the Box program, we present site-specific dance improvisation installations at various points around the Nation’s Capital including museums, gallery spaces, and coffee shops.

Our movement group has reached area senior citizens through its An Afternoon of Modern Dance series at the Washington House in Northern Virginia. This program provided a series of afternoon tea time dance concerts and lecture demonstrations on modern dance and our work.

Additionally, we strive to provide a stable medium for artists to develop and present work through our Open Range program. This program offers new experiences to the company members as well as local and guest artists. Works in addition to Antonini's included the talents of Summer Beasley, Barb Blauhut, Carrie Brueck, Lillian Cho, Mary Szegda, and Hilary White as well as group projects organized collectively by the company’s members themselves.

DANCEANTONINI produced its debut company concert, Personality Infused Modern Dance, at the Jack Guidone Theater at Joy of Motion Dance Center in the Fall of 2002 with works by Lou Antonini, Lillian Cho and Carrie Brueck. This concert showcased signature works created by Antonini over the years with a group of dancers that would get together for performances on an ad-hoc basis. Some of these dancers are still with the movement group today.

Our repertory includes choreographically set works, some with improvisational elements included, as well as structured and free-form improvisational works. Lou’s background encompasses a variety of dance styles and the artists' backgrounds have a variety of training. Though the primary focus is post-modern dance and release work, we foster dancers' unique qualities and individually casted interpretations into movement when creating a piece. This allows for the personalities of both the choreographers and the dancers to collectively play a role in the creative process.

The body of our work encompasses everything from abstract to literal with a sometimes sublime, sometimes ambient, sometimes quirky, quality. Gesture and those movement qualities of the everyday are present, as well as natural organic impulses and improvisation. These principles effect everything from costumes and set design, to interactions among and motivation for the dancers. Humor and a wide range of musical accompaniment add additional layers to the character of DANCEANTONINI.

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