Anne-Marie Mulgrew & Dancers Co.

Producer: Karen Smyles

Known in the city since 1986 for its “visually arresting,” “highly imaginative,” dance theater works, and unusual collaborative projects, the Anne-Marie Mulgrew & Dancers Co. has performed over 71 major works choreographed by Anne-Marie Mulgrew in 312 performances in the United States and Canada. The company consists of 5-7 professional dancers and esteemed peer collaborators. Additional performers are used on a project basis to flesh out materials and involve new communities.

AMM & DCO has conducted 65 residency programs primarily for underserved populations and more than 3,500 classes/workshops. Company works have appeared in theaters, alternative spaces, site specific locations, schools, festivals, collaborative projects and for film and TV such as The Barnes Museum, Christ Church Neighborhood House, The Porch-30 St. Station, the University of the Arts Theater/Drake Theater, The Painted Bride, The Institute of Contemporary Art, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, University of PA Museum of Anthropology & Archaeology, The Philadelphia Cathedral, Mandell Theater, Penn’s Landing, Fairmount Park, The Horticultural Center, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philly Fringe Festival/Live Arts, Parallax Pictures Studios, Conwell Dance Theater, The Sanctuary at The Rotunda, and The Kimmel Center to name a few.

Friday Arts visits the company at The University Arts Leagues where they were rehearsing for an upcoming performance. We had the opportunity to talk with dancers and long-time collaborator, videographer Carmella Vassor-Johnson, about working with Mulgrew. Mulgrew’s company recently celebrated their 30 year anniversary and she shares her secret for survival in a field where so many have tried and failed.


Joe Cicala & Kate Lombardi
Produced by Karen Smyles
Edited by Demi Ratchford

Inspired by the interesting work of Anne Marie Mulgrew, Joe Cicala and Kate Lombardi discuss how they met and the different kinds of dances they perform at Anne Marie Mulgrew & Dancers Co. Described as post modern while still illustrating more traditional forms of dance, Anne Marie and her dancers explore dance in a new light.

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