Pilobolus [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

"We are exploring physical potentials when playing games with our shadows, and we want the audience to understand this fun," Pilobolus, an American dance theater organization said, which will bring its signature dance “Shadowland” in Shanghai Oriental Art Center on January 12-13 and came to Shanghai to meet the audience before that.

Pilobolus [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

Pilobolus, founded in 1971, is the originator of shadow dance, and it has been committed to breaking the established rules of dance and exploring the potential of the body. The creative director Mark Fucik said the dancers “talk” with the body, and the audience may try warm physical communication such as touching, handshake and hug which stands for our truest feelings.

Shadowlandis developed by directors and dancers in collaboration with the lead writer for SpongeBob SquarePants, Steven Banks, the lead action art direction for The Walking Dead, Matt Kent, and with music by American musician, producer, and film composer David Poe.

[Photo/Pilobolus]

In the story, a girl longing for autonomy has a series of adventures in her dream, including evil monsters, crazy chefs, song hand monster and horse with a human head. The dancers make the dance seem like a movie.