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STAINED GLASS is composed of two provocative short films with self-perception as a central theme. FRACTURES follows a young woman confronting her paralyzing struggle with body image.
NUDIS ANIMIS finds several strangers fighting against their own reflections, forcing them to experience an embodiment of their truths.
created, choreographed & directed by RICH LUGO
score composed by CRISTHIAN ANDREWS
director of photography LINDA KÄLLÉRUS
'FRACTURES' edited by DIANA PANFIL
'NUDIS ANIMIS' edited by AARON DWORETZKY
starring ANDREA PALESH, AMY LENOBLE, DEJAYE JOSEPH, KELSEY MILBOURN, RICH LUGO, SCOTT CURLEY, ARIELLE BENDORY, MARY LINEHAN, ARIEL FRANKS, LAQUELLE MILLS
MOVEMENT TAKES ACTION
Through a sophisticated use of film and stage elements, DANSPIEK ("dance speak") embodies a distinct and innovative dance expression. Specializing in narrative dance filmmaking, our in-house projects explore complex themes to develop an accessible, universal movement language. The body of DANSPIEK's work includes micro-fiction, short films, music videos, bts featurettes and feature films.
founder & artistic director RICH LUGO
director of photography LINDA KÄLLÉRUS
photography by GREGORY ADDISON
edited by AARON DWORETZKY
original music by DOT
When you look into a mirror, "What do you see?"
A REFLECTION IN PIECES is an inside look into the making of DANSPIEK's first dance film, FRACTURES. Learn about the creative process directly from the artists involved, chronicling early developments through to production.
Created, Choreographed & Directed by RICH LUGO
Starring ANDREA PALESH, AMY LENOBLE
Director of Photography LINDA KÄLLÉRUS
Edited by DIANA PANFIL
FEATURED MUSIC:
"Breeze in Monochrome Night"- Akira Yamaoka
"She Never Sleeps"- Hans Zimmer
"P is for Piano"//"Confused Images"//"The Academy"- Massive Attack
(We do not own the rights to this music)
URBAN VITALITY is an ongoing music video dance project featuring post-high school youth from The Bronx exploring their voice through dance. Through this platform they express their struggles, fears, and triumphs, along with all the emotion.
created & directed by LUGO
choreography by LUGO & DANCERS
director of photography GREGORY ADDISON
edited by LUGO
creative advisor MARVIN AVILA
the dancers SHANICE ANDERSON, YANELY COYOTECATL, JAHMYRA ESTEPHANE, JAYLEEN MALDONADO, SABRINA OLAVARRIA, NICOLE ORTIZ, STEPHANIE RODRIGUEZ
FEATURED MUSIC: "Ultralight Beam" by Kanye West
(We do not own the rights to this music)
filmed at Gibney Studios | New York, NY
Dark & delicious tales of sex, addiction, violence & vanity.
Inspired by the medieval allegory, "Dance of Death," DANSE MAKABRE is a narrative dance anthology music video series which explores the dynamic relationships that exist between men.
created by RICH LUGO
choreographed & performed by RICH LUGO & SCOTT CURLEY
director of photography GREGORY ADDISON
music videos edited by GREGORY ADDISON
studio footage edited by RICH LUGO
creative advisor MARVIN AVILA
FEATURED MUSIC:
"Thaeter"//"Cruci-Fiction in Space"//"Count to Six & Die"
by Marilyn Manson
"05 Ghosts I" by Nine Inch Nails
(We do not own the rights to this music)
filmed at Gibney 280 Broadway | New York, NY
A young woman confronts her paralyzing struggle with body image as multiple aspects of self-perception control her psyche.
FRACTURES is the first part of the narrative double feature dance film, STAINED GLASS.
created, choreographed & directed by RICH LUGO
score composed by CRISTHIAN ANDREWS
starring ANDREA PALESH, AMY LENOBLE
director of photography LINDA KÄLLÉRUS
edited by DIANA PANFIL
Based on the first part of Dante Alighieri's epic poem, The Divine Comedy, this contemporary re-imagining tests the will of an ordinary man as he journeys through the Nine Circles of Hell to save his true love-- and alter the fate of humanity.
Using Manhattan as its backdrop, the full cinematic vision interweaves striking stage and film elements to create an immersive and captivating alternate world not unlike our own.
created, choreographed & directed by RICH LUGO
performed by RICH LUGO
original music composed by MICHAEL CULVER
director of photography LINDA KÄLLÉRUS
additional camera REBECKA EKHOLM
photography by GREGORY ADDISON
edited by DIANA PANFIL
PAST PRODUCTIONS
 Stained Glass film poster Edited by Diana Panfil |  Promotional Material Designed by Rob Sampogna |
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2014 | 'STAINED GLASS' ONLINE SCREENINGS DANSPIEK's premiere dance film vision is released to the public in the form of regulated free online screenings designed to make dance accessible and start a meaningful dialog. STAINED GLASS consists of a 45 minute double feature of narrative short films: FRACTURES tells the story of a young woman paralyzed by her own reflection. NUDIS ANIMIS immerses four strangers into an alternate world where they must confront their individual demons. Using mirrors as a central motif, the films explore self-perception exclusively through movement, evolving the way the world thinks about dance. (Running time: 45 minutes)
 Promotional Material Designed by Rob Sampogna | Photo by Gregory Addison |  Promotional Material Designed by Rob Sampogna | Photo by Gregory Addison |
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2016 | THE 'STAINED GLASS' EXPERIENCE DANSPIEK's premiere dance production consisted of a 45 minute film, a live two-man anthology show, guest performances followed by a Q&A. STAINED GLASS, a double feature of narrative short films, uses mirrors as a central motif to explore ideas of self-perception exclusively through movement. The multimedia DANSE MAKABRE--inspired by the medieval allegory, "Dance of Death"-- indulges in dark & delicious tales of sex, addiction, violence & vanity. As a whole, this premiere experience is designed not to make a one-sided statement but to offer an open perspective on what it means to be human. (Running time: 2hrs, including one intermission)
"We are not what we appear to be..."
DANSPIEK was created to communicate the human experience by framing movement in narrative forms.
Fulfilling our mission means expanding our reach to include the visions of dance artists worldwide.
In welcoming all perspectives and experiences we open a dialog to promote a global sense of compassion.
OUR WORK
short films
Our filmmaking journey began with STAINED GLASS, a double feature of narrative short films with self-perception as a central motif. This project inspired the launch of our first movement, Beyond the Glass, where we invite dance artists to submit their own pieces which further explore themes in our films.
multi-media
Our current production, DANSE MAKABRE, is the beginning of an anthology series expressing the often damaging dynamics that exist between men. The film and stage elements are interwoven to serve a larger narrative as well as stand on their own. The series will include male choreographers and performers whose work reveals and challenges these relationships.
feature films
Our future production, THE INFERNO, re-imagines the classic poem by Dante Alighieri into a feature dance film. The final vision demands full-scale production elements, and will provide an unprecedented cinematic experience which elevates narrative dancemaking to new heights.
micro-fiction
As our movements and projects continue to take shape, DANSPIEK is collaborating with young dancers to create short micro-fiction pieces that convey story elements in under 2 minutes. It is an ongoing exploration of finding meaning in movement, and framing it in a way that communicates clearly to audiences.
Please browse THE WORK to learn more about our projects.
T H A N K Y O U
MARC ACHILLES
JUNE AFSHAR
ARIELA ARNON
LINDSEY ASHCRAFT
KARA & GREGORY ADDISON
ERIN BARKER
ANNE BASU
JOHN BROWNELL
BRYNNE CALLERAN
JANICE & BOB CURLEY
CHUNG-FU CHANG
CARRIE DEMOS
ELIZABETH DURAN
MARIA FRADE
ARIEL FRANKS
ROBIN GALLO
EDNA GLASSMAN-LACKOW
ELLIOTT GOODMAN
THOMAS GRANT JR.
LINDSAY GRIFFIN
MARY ANN HAGEN
CHRISTOPHER & JOCELYN HAYES
GEMMA HUTCHINSON
JASON & JUNE INGRAM
KURT KELLEY
LINDA KEY
EMMA KIMBALL
DARIUS JOURNIGAN
BELA LAKATOS
JOSÉ & THERESA LUGO
SHANA LIN
TORY MANCE
JANETTE MARTINEZ
ITA MATIAS
MARLENE MAY
PATRICIA MEDINA
VICTORIA MEDINA
OLEVIA MIKHAIL
SCHLOMO MELMAN
GLORIA MILLER
CHARLES & MARGARET PLATT
BRITTANI NAGLE
SHANNON O'CONNOR
DIANA PANFIL
MICHAEL PAVANO
RAQUEL PATTERSON
LISA PETRO
DARRIN POLICAR
PHYLLIS SHAKES
ROBERT SHERIDAN
JEAN STINNETT
TARA SULLIVAN
ANNETTE VACCARO
KEVIN VALENTIN
LAUREN VEGA
MARIA VODOLA
DAWN WOODS-KING
ASHLEY WOOL
photo by Linda Källérus
photo by Gregory Addison
photo by Bill Cotton
photo by John Suhar
photo by Liz Schneider-Cohen
DANSPIEK company promo reel
CHOREOGRAPHY BY RICH LUGO
EDITED BY AARON DWORETZKY
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY LINDA KÄLLÉRUS
‘#52Tuesdays- 52: SZA' (2018)
SHOT & EDITED BY GREGORY ADDISON
SONG PERFORMED BY EARTHTONE
CHOREOGRAPHY BY RICH LUGO
PRELUDE TO 'THE INFERNO' (2017)
CHOREOGRAPHED & PERFORMED BY RICH LUGO
ORIGINAL MUSIC COMPOSED BY MICHAEL CULVER
DANCE EDUCATORS COLLECTIVE CONCERT
BRONX BOROUGH ARTS FESTIVAL (2018)
fhsa dance performance
CHOREOGRAPHED & PERFORMED BY JEANETTE ALVARADO,
SERRINITY BROWN, & SABRINA OLAVARRIA
This piece was collaboratively created by the students and MR. LUGO
'CSU DANCE SENIOR CAPSTONE CONCERT (2009) choreography excerpt
CHOREOGRAPHY BY RICH LUGO
