Musculus

WORK DESCRIPTION

Musculus is an athletic, highly musical quartet that celebrates the stamina, strength, and expressive range of the human body. Rooted in smooth, spiraling floorwork and explosive momentum shifts, the choreography moves seamlessly between jumps, rebounds, and abrupt directional changes—often landing in unexpected moments of suspension or stillness. Inspired by the physicality of sport—running, sprinting, obstacle navigation, and ice skating—the work blends power with precision. Structured through interweaving groupings of solos, duets, and trios, each dancer is given space to assert their individual movement voice, while contributing to a shared kinetic language. Set to driving electronic music and framed by bold primary colors, Musculus builds a dynamic, collaborative landscape of movement that highlights both the individuality and collective muscularity of the ensemble.

CHOREOGRAPHER

Joel K. Linebach

COSTUME DESIGN

Joel K. Linebach

DANCERS

Megan Gregory, Mikayla Heinrich-Wong, Zhaonian Li, Joel K. Linebach

MUSIC

Scanner (a.k.a. Robin Rimbaud)

PREMIERE DATE

December 2nd, 2023

PREMIERE LOCATION

Karen Potter Studio Theatre, Department of Dance, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH