epk – pdf

Peter Chu - Artistic Director
Peter Chu
Peter Chu: Artistic Director / Choreographer / Dancer
Peter Chu, originally from Cocoa Beach, Florida, is a distinguished artist who strives to push the physical bounds
of dance. He began his training as a competitive gymnast, later nurturing his artistry at Dussich Dance Studio
where his evolution into dance began. As a BFA student at The Juilliard School (under the direction of Benjamin
Harkarvy), Chu was pushed further as a technical mover and began an explosive journey into choreography.
Upon graduation, he was awarded the Hector Zaraspe Prize for Choreography.
Chu is a remarkable and multi-faceted artist. As a performer, he has danced with BJM _Danse, EZdanza, as the
lead in Christina Perri’s Jar of Hearts music video, in Celine Dion’s Vegas spectacular A New Day, and with
Crystal Pite’s company, Kidd Pivot.
In 2008, Chu formed a Las Vegas project-based company—chuthis. His multi-disciplinary dance company
combines innovative lighting and sound with live contemporary theatrical movement. Works include: Smile
Masking (2015), Face Her (2015), and Nothing Sticks (2011). chuthis. also provides movement classes at
universities and dance programs nationally and abroad along with hosting its annual movement intensive.
chuthis. Movement Intensive fosters technical/artistic development and mind/body familiarity while igniting an
adventurous side of dance. Most recently, Peter implemented chuthis. Moves, 2-3 day customized workshops
that emphasize movement education.
Recipient of the prestigious 2010 Capezio A.C.E. Award for Choreography, Chu has created for Naomi
Stikeman’s Çaturn (consulted by Robert Lepage) and ARTV series in Québec – Meneuse de Claques. He was
honored as selected choreographer for the Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival (directed by Linda Kent) and
choreographed for the ninth and tenth seasons of So You Think You Can Dance. Chu has created pieces on
companies such as Orlando Ballet Theatre, Houston Met Dance Company, and New Dialect. He has also
created for Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) Summer Intensive (2013 & 2014), Springboard Danse Montréal
(principal company), Western Michigan University, The Juilliard School, SUNY Purchase, Brigham Young
University Contemporary Dance Theatre, Southern University of Utah, and Alvin Ailey Certificate Program.
Teaching highlights include Harvard University, Hubbard Street Studio Series, BODYTRAFFIC Summer Intensive,
The Dance Teacher Summit, and Movement Invention Project in NYC. Chu finished the season by presenting his
newest works Face Her and Smile Masking under a residency partnership with the West Las Vegas Library
Theatre. He premiered these works at Festival International DansEncore.
Peter is currently enjoying his time as the repetitor for Nederlands Dans Theater 2.
chuthis.net
Choreography Highlights
2001 | Summer Dance Intensive at The Juilliard School –
2004 | Houston Met Dance Company – A Polite Social Gesture (Houston, TX)
2006 | Houston Met Dance Company – Pts. in Space for 7 (Houston, TX)
2007 | Southern University of Utah – Smell Memory with 9 (Cedar City, UT)
2008 | SUNY at Purchase – Graduation Solo (New York, NY)
2008 | New Works Dance Festival (Perry-Mansfield) – Then…until now (Steamboat Springs, CO)
2008 | Seventy-five minute multimedia dance show, Çaturn (Directed by Naomi Stikeman, consultation by Robert
Lepage)
2009 | Edge PAC – Hide and Seek (Los Angeles, CA)
2009 | San Diego Dance Theater – Grounded Steps (San Diego, CA)
2010 | Dance Teacher Summit – Capezio A.C.E. Awards – This Thought (New York, NY)
2010 | SUNY at Purchase – The Applause is Fading (New York, NY)
2011 | chuthis. – Nothing Sticks U.S. tour
2012 | So You Think You Can Dance – Season 9, Top 8 (Los Angeles, CA)
2013 | Orlando Ballet – Touching Drops (Orlando, FL)
2013 | SUNY at Purchase – Lutte Intérieure (Purchase, NY)
2013 | The Ailey School for Certificate Program Dancer – Walking Forward
2013 | Houston Met Dance Company – Hidden in Plain Sight (Houston, TX)
2013 | So You Think You Can Dance – Season 10, Top 16 (Los Angeles, CA)
2013 | Nederlands Dans Theater Summer Intensive – Applauding Trails
2014 | West Michigan University – One Sound Looking Back
2014 | Springboard Danse Montréal – More Than a Step
2014 | The Cultch (Vancouver, BC)
2014 | Nederlands Dans Theater Summer Intensive – Disconnected Transfer
2015 | chuthis. – Face Her & Smile Masking
2015 | Brigham Young University Contemporary Dance Theatre – Formed In
Teaching Highlights
2002-04 | Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal (Montréal, QC)
2002-04 | Le Domaine Forget (Sint-Irénée, QC)
2005 | Edge PAC – Dance with the Force Scholarship Students’ Show (L.A., CA)
2012-13 | 24 Seven Dance Convention (U.S. tour)
2013 | BODYTRAFFIC Summer Program (Los Angeles, CA)
2013 | Western Michigan University – Dance Residency (Kalamazoo, MI)
2013 | Harvard University
2014 | Movement Invention Project (New York, NY)
2014 | chuthis. movement intensive (Fresno, CA)
2014 | chuthis. movement intensive (San José, Costa Rica)
2014-15 | New York City Dance Alliance – Friday Night Sessions
2014-15 | New Dialect – Master Class Series
2015 | Hubbard Street Studio Series (Chicago, IL)
2015 | Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
2015 | chuthis. Moves (Scottsdale, AZ)
2015 | chuthis. movement intensive (Fresno, CA)
2015 | chuthis. Moves (Las Vegas, NV)
chuthis.net
Performance Highlights
2002-04 | Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal (Montréal, QC)
2003 | Aszure Barton – Mais Oui (New York, NY)
2005 | Redken Hair Show (Las Vegas, NV)
2005-07 | Celine Dion: A New Day…Live in Las Vegas (Las Vegas, NV)
2006 | Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert (Las Vegas, NV)
2007-14 | Kidd Pivot (Vancouver, BC)
2007 | Danse Encore –You and the Universe (Trois-Rivières, QC)
2008 | New Works Dance Festival (Perry-Mansfield) – full evening of work by chuthis. (Steamboat Springs, CO)
2008 | Usine C – Çaturn (Montréal, QC)
2008 | Danse Encore – A Picture of You Falling and Fault (Trois-Rivières, QC)
2010 | Danse Encore – Çaturn (Trois-Rivières, QC)
2010 | Christina Perri – Jar of Hearts (Official Music Video), Lead Male Character
2011 | chuthis. – Nothing Sticks (U.S. Tour)
2012 | The Dance Awards at the Beacon Theatre – excerpt from Nothing Sticks (New York, NY)
2012 | chuthis. – Nothing Sticks (Vancouver, BC)
2014 | Kidd Pivot – Tempest Replica (On Tour)
2014 | chuthis. – Nothing Sticks (Las Vegas, NV)
2015 | Sadler’s Wells – A Picture of You Falling (London)
2015 | NYCDA benefit (Destiny Rising) – excerpt from Smile Masking (New York, NY)
2015 | chuthis. – Smile Masking (Las Vegas, NV)
2015 | Danse Encore – Smile Masking (Trois-Rivières, QC)
Press Quotes
“Peter Chu is that rare performer who can dance with one foot in the commercial world and the other squarely in
the artistic. No, wait: that’s not exactly right. Chu is the even rarer performer for whom the two worlds meld into
one.” — The Georgia Straight
“Chu’s piece, full of sharp movements contrasted with an unfolding physicality, has an unearthly quality both
robotic and hypnotic.” — Orlando Sentinel regarding Peter Chu’s Hollywood en Pointe choreographed for the
Orlando Ballet.
“Chu’s choreography is aesthetically pleasing, yet undeniably difficult in nature… I can only hope this show
continues to run so everyone can have a chance to be in the audience.” — Dance Informa Magazine
“Nothing Sticks… is a work that really marks the promising beginning of a choreographic talent who’s just
starting to harness his wild imagination.” — The Georgia Straight
“Chu is a torpedo of a mover, seamlessly integrating the syncopation of hip hop with balletic fluidity.” — Dance
Magazine regarding Peter Chu’s work that opened the Top 8, Season 9 show of So You Think You Can Dance.
“Given the opportunity to speak with Peter Chu, insight, brilliance, compassion, and devotion threaded each
expression, verbal as well as nonverbal.” — West Orlando News
“ A slender, lithe dancer with feet as resilient as his spine, locks and pops in and out of position with ribbon
fluidity.” — The New York Times regarding Peter Chu’s performance in Kidd Pivot’s The You Show.
“…he gives complete illusion that he is a marionette danced by the puppeteer. The duet is so spectacular, his
control of his body so masterful, that audible gasps and ahhs escaped from the audience.” — Portland Monthly
Magazine regarding Peter Chu’s performance in Kidd Pivot’s Dark Matters
chuthis.net
Company profile:
chuthis. is a not-for-profit § 501(c)(3) project-based contemporary dance company that
showcases the work of Artistic Director and Choreographer Peter Chu and his esteemed
collaborators. The company was formed in 2008 and is located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
chuthis.’ versatile company members/collaborators have commercial and concert dance
backgrounds.
chuthis. provides dance classes, both nationally & abroad, at universities and dance
programs and hosts an annual movement intensive. chuthis. Movement Intensive fosters
technical/artistic development and mind/body familiarity while igniting an adventurous side of
dance.
Most recently, the company implemented chuthis. Moves, 2-3 day customized workshops
that emphasize movement education. Through its local and international dance classes,
chuthis. helps participants realize how movement impacts their lives.
chuthis. helps promote dance in its home base Las Vegas by offering free public
performances. Currently, chuthis. intends to expand its local, national and international
audiences.
chuthis.net
Repertoire
chuthis.net
Face Her
8minutes 30 seconds
Choreographed & Directed by | Peter Chu
Avant-premiere | March 2105
Las Vegas - Clark County Library District
Premiere | June 2015
Festival International DansEncore, Québec, Canada
Performers | Jenni Berthelot
Sound Designer | Djeff Houle
Additional music | Ólafur Arnalds & Nils Frahm
Lighting & Projection Designer | Eric Chad
Facial appearance is vital for human recognition and communication.
In Face Her, a woman reflects upon repeated patterns as touching drops wash away.
Produced by chuthis. Creation sponsored by Las Vegas - Clark County Library District.
Video
Smile Masking
45 minutes
Choreographed & Directed by | Peter Chu
Avant-premiere | March 2105 — Las Vegas - Clark County Library District
Premiere | June 2015 — Festival International DansEncore, Québec, Canada
Performers | Peter Chu (accompanied by Jenni Berthelot)
Composer | Djeff Houle
Additional music | Fred Hamm, Dave Bennett, Bert Lown,
Chauncey Grey, Jerry Jeff Walker, Ern Westmore, Ólafur Arnalds
Lighting & Projection Designer | Eric Chad
Costume Designer and Construction | Linda Chow
Initially inspired by the attitudes and passions of performers from old Las Vegas coupled with the famous venues
that have a rich history of presenting these iconic artists, this solo work exposes the audience to authentic and
unforgiving truths about control and obsession. Doubting reality and running with the danger of glorifying false
appearances, a character explores the highs and lows of smile masking.
Produced by chuthis. Creation sponsored by Las Vegas - Clark County Library District and The Cultch,
Vanouver, BC.
Video
chuthis.net
Nothing Sticks
90 minutes, including intermission
Choreographed & Directed by | Peter Chu
Premiere | 2011 — Roseland Ballroom, New York City
Original Cast | Jenni Berthelot, Jill Chu, Pam Chu, Peter Chu,
Stephen Hernandez, Jillian Meyers, Rebecca Niziol, Matthew Peacock
Re-work | November 2014
West Las Vegas Library Theatre, Las Vegas
Performers | Jenni Berthelot, Pam Chu, Peter Chu,
Savannah Harrison, Jillian Meyers, Matthew Peacock
Composer | Djeff Houle
Additional music | Fabian Andre, Wilbur Schwandt,
Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson, Ernest Breuer, Ole Olsen,
Chick Johnson, Cy Coleman, Dorothy Fields, Diane Dowda
Lighting Designer | Erika Courtney
LED Lighting System Designer | Steel Wallis
Projection Designers | Andrew Atienza, Jeff Tidwell
Set Designers | Steve Huntsman, Derek Mack
Costume Designer and Construction | Linda Chow
Exploring the temporal nature of entertainment and life, this work tackles the complexities of impermanence and
the human tendency to doubt even our own perception of reality. Ideas, thoughts, and sensations break up into
flowing, smooth, liquid-like energy that expands, contracts, undulates, and vibrates. This multi-disciplinary show
combines innovative lighting and sound with live contemporary theatrical movement.
Nothing in this world is permanent. Just as stars form and collapse, continents shift and climates change, our
minds evolve and relationships come and go. We live in a world of constant flux. Understanding that we and
others may change, we can recognise and accept when a different approach or a “new Sketch” is needed.
Produced by chuthis. with generous support from:
| 2011 & 2012 |
Digital Theatre LLC, Capezio A.C.E. Awards, Break The Floor Productions, Signature Productions, Tuacahn
Performing Arts, Bunker Dance Center, Dances for a Small Stage and several private donors.
| 2014 |
Digital Theatre LLC, Bunker Dance Center and several private donors.
Video
chuthis.net
Choreography Videos
(for chuthis.)
SMILE MASKING
chuthis.
Choreography by Peter Chu
FACE HER
chuthis.
Choreography by Peter Chu
NOTHING STICKS
chuthis.
Choreography by Peter Chu
chuthis.net
chuthis.net
Choreography Videos
TWO YOUS
MORE THAN A STEP
New Dialect
Choreography by Peter Chu
Springboard Danse Montréal 2014
(showing)
Choreography by Peter Chu
APPLAUDING TRAILS
ÇATURN
Nederlands Dans Theater
Summer Intensive 2013
Choreography by Peter Chu
Excerpts from Namoni Stikeman’s
Choreography by Peter Chu & Crystal
Pite
TOUCHING DROPS
CHOREOGRAPHY REEL
Orlando Ballet
Choreography by Peter Chu
chuthis.net
chuthis.net
Performance Videos
JAR OF HEARTS
Christina Perri’s music video
THE TEMPEST REPLICA
Kidd Pivot
Choreography by Crystal Pite
DARK MATTERS
Kidd Pivot
Choreography by Crystal Pite
A PICTURE OF YOU FALLING
Kidd Pivot
Choreography by Crystal Pite
THE YOU SHOW
Kidd Pivot
Choreography by Crystal Pite
A LOVE COMPLACENT
Choreography by Stacey Tookey
chuthis.net
chuthis.net
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