DancersMelissa Pillarella
Melissa Pillarella, originally from Chicago, began dancing at Whitney Young Magnet High School and received a BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois. While at U of I, Melissa performed in works by Jan Erkert, Linda Lehovec, Rebecca Nettl-Fiol, Lorie Carlos and others. Currently, Melissa also dances with Mordine & Co. Dance Theater as well as independent choreographer Cristina Walterman. Melissa is excited and honored to be returning for her second season with The Dance COLEctive.
Our MissionThe Dance COLEctive aspires to challenge assumptions about how dance is presented, through the use of cutting-edge choreography, innovative collaborations, and inspired creative site-specific-works.
Company Members
- Margi Cole
- Kaitlin Bishop
- Molly Grimm-Leasure
- Maggie Koller
- Olivia May
- Shannon McGuire
- Alaina Murray
- Katie Petrunich
- Melissa Pillarella
- Julie Brannen (Apprentice)
- Madelyn Doyle (Apprentice)
Funders- Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development
- The Alphawood Foundation
- The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation
- Chicago Seminar for Dance and Performance
- City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
- The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
- Illinois Arts Council
- Chicago Wallace Audience Engagement Network
- National Endowment for the Arts
- The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
Photos By William Frederking Unless Otherwise Noted
