Loco-Motion Dance Theatre will give audiences a glimpse into the minds and hearts of its young choreographers and dancers ages 8 -17. In addition to participating in Loco-Motion's curriculum of modern dance, dance composition, ballet, and improvisation techniques, 41artists from a Dance Lab class have spent the last few months in extensive choreography workshops. Under the tutelage of Artistic Director Lisa Pilato, they have been conceptualizing, creating, editing and executing their own pieces in a unique dance environment that allows for individual creative expression and artistic autonomy. There will be 10 pieces in the performance some of which include: Dear Mr. President, a political plea to President Bush with dancers representing underserved Americans and one representing Bush as an out of touch leader. Included topics are homelessness, the no child left behind policy, gay rights and over-crowded jails; Free, a civil rights dance to "A Symphony of Brotherhood" by Miri ben Ari and inspired by the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr., the dance focuses on unity and acknowledges how much work has yet to be done to achieve racial equality; and Legacy, a modern dance piece based on research and photographs of turn of the last century immigrants and utilizes six foot long thin sticks of plywood as props that transform from oars, to bridges to tenements, etc. It juxtaposes the initial hope of the immigrants against the harsh realities of finding their place in a new world as they seek a better life for their future generations. Other dances explore themes of loss of childhood, the war in Iraq, the importance of friendship and the joy derived from being a part of a creative community. The performance will prove to be an entertaining and thought-provoking experience for audiences of all ages.

Loco-Motion Dance Theatre for Children is a not-for-profit performing arts organization for children ages 6 - 17 located in the West Village. Their primary purpose is to cultivate the development and appreciation of dance and theater arts among school-age children of all backgrounds and levels of ability. Classes and workshops are a combination of technical and creative exercises developed to extend the imaginative capabilities of each child, infusing them with confidence in their abilities and enabling them to grow as artists and individuals. Loco-Motion promotes works of emerging social consciousness and provides a forum for young voices to be heard. They encourage students to create material that reflects their responsibility as members of a global community, to search for fresh answers to old questions while exploring the idea that art can affect positive change.

Lisa Pilato (Artistic Director/Dance Teacher/Choreographer) graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in 1988 with a B.F.A. in Dance Education.  She trained at the Alvin Ailey School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Martha Graham School and The Merce Cunningham Studio.  Ms. Pilato has performed throughout the country with the Pennsylvania Dance Theatre, Nexus Dance Theatre, Urban Tales Dance Company, Around and About Children’s Theatre, Trapeze Dance Company, Kaos Dance Theatre and the Black Box Players.  Her teaching experience includes dance and theater instruction for children at Marymount Manhattan College, P.S. 3, Crunch Kids, the Police Athletic League, the Lower East Side Community Center, the Alternative Program and the 6th Street Community Center.  Ms. Pilato is the Artistic Director and co-founder of Loco-Motion Dance Theatre for Children where she teaches, choreographs and directs.