World-Renowned Dancer and Choreographer Presents "Epic Premier" at Mark Twain Library

April 26, 2016

Otis Cook, a world-renowned dancer who is celebrated for creating a style that pushes the boundaries of movement, will present a premier performance “Inside Out Of You” during an Allen and Helen Hermes Art Series program on Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m. at The Mark Twain Library.

Formerly of the dance companies Pilobolus, Momix and Cirque du Soleil, Cook’s work has been featured in major media news outlets, including 60 Minutes, Good Morning America, National Geographic and Time magazine. A dance duet he created with Pilobolus was performed as a Ted Talk, and has nearly 3 million views on the web.

The performance, in collaboration with dancer Donna Ahmadi, a native and modern dancer and teaching artist who conducts classes in New York City’s public schools for the New York City Ballet, will invite the audience to center themselves in the environmental movement in a program that combines the latest scientific information with acrobatic agility.

“Come to the center of this amazing world and see yourself a new. It's a world that needs your help on stage, at home or in the world arena. Come explore the workings of the mind and gut in this multi-dimensional performance,” according to a description of the performance, which will be a lecture and demonstration format.

In addition to being a performer, Cook is also a producer, director and choreographer who focuses on nature and the human struggle in his work. Raised in Western Pennsylvania and now a resident of Connecticut, he was a student of architecture and theater at Kent State College and then toured as a performer for 15 years. He work now aims at exploring movement and healthy living.

Cook has worked with several dance companies - first touring with the prop intensive company, Diavolo Dance Theater, of Los Angeles. Since joining Pilobolus Dance Theatre, he performed over 500 shows, traveling extensively internationally and throughout the U.S. Cook choreographed and performed 11 original works in addition to dancing 10 works of Pilobolus repertory. Over several years Otis spent with Pilobolus, he worked in collaboration with Maurice Sendak, Kodo's Leonard Eto, The Saint Lawrence String Quartet, The Klezmatics, and The Maria Schnider Jazz Orchestra. He presented, “Symbiosis”, a duet created with Pilobolus and performed it at Ted Talks. The video of that performance has had over 2,230,361 total views.

As a choreographer, Mr. Cook also created work for Momix's touring production, Lunar Sea and toured with Momix, Cirque du Soleil, and Diavolo, and spent summers working in outdoor productions which involved stage combat skills and gymnastics.

Cook’s film and television work includes a featured role in Mira Banks' Award winning Documentary, "The Last Dance" and guest appearances on The Regis and Kathy Lee show, Good Morning America, PBS's “Egg” and 60 Minutes. He also has worked with Danny Ezralow on Julie Taymor's film, "Across the Universe".

Otis’ body sculptures, in collaboration with Pilobolus, have appeared in National Geographic, Newsweek and Time Magazine as well as in the books, “Twisted Yoga” and “The Human Alphabet”. As a freelance performer Otis continues to work with Pilobolus Institute and Pilobolus Too.

Ahmadi is a performer and choreographer who has been involved with native and modern dance since her youth. Since receiving her B.F.A. in dance form SUNY Purchase in 2000, she has focused on work exploring her mixed Cherokee, Italian, and African-American heritage. Donna has performed in recent years for Steve Koplowitz, Alison Chase (Pilobolus), Andrew Marcus Performance, Brett Howard Company, and Tarin Chaplin. She currently dances and collaborates with Third Rail Projects, Red Hawk Indian Arts Council, and Thunderbird American Indian Dancers. During 2003, Donna taught for the Northern Rivers Conservatory of the Arts in Australia, where she founded Mantis Dance Theater, performing her site-specific and environmental choreography in northern New South Wales and in New York. In 2006 she created a site-specific piece for the Newburgh Free Library Day of the Dead Celebration, combining puppetry and contemporary dance. Donna has taught dance for many years and in addition to her work in New York’s public schools, she is a Native American Fancy Shawl instructor at Lotus Music and Dance.