portfolio
R I C H L U G O
D A N C E A R T I S T
photo by John Suhar
My passion for dance and inspirations for choreography continue to grow.
Throughout over two decades engaged in the performing arts I have served as a director, choreographer, performer, and a NYC DOE Dance educator. I wish to continue inspiring individuals and communities in ways that nurture and shape their artistic identity.
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As an ARTISTIC DIRECTOR I've produced meaningful narrative dance film projects and collaborated with a diverse group of talented performance and production artists.
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My experiences as a CHOREOGRAPHER and PERFORMER have led me to develop an effective, unique movement style that expresses dance as a viable storytelling medium.
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As a DANCE EDUCATOR I have produced numerous thematic dance concerts and interdisciplinary showcases, and support my students by providing a safe and equitable space for them to grow their individual artistic voices.
Thank you for taking the time to engage in my work.
Richard A. Lugo
DIRECTOR
Shortly after graduating with my B.A. in Dance from Colorado State University, I founded DANSPIEK, where I continue to serve as the artistic director. Through film, the company explores an accessible, narrative movement style influenced by my training in martial arts, modern, contemporary, and jazz dance styles. In my collaborations with cinematographers, editors, composers, photographers, and more, I have learned what it takes to produce high-quality content across all phases of film production. It has also taught me how to communicate effectively with dance artists and maximize the impact of their performance.
photo by Gregory Addison
company production reel
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
RICH LUGO
EDITED BY
MARVIN AVILA
DANSPIEK is an independent dance film production company which blends cinematic storytelling with a narrative movement style influenced by martial arts, modern, contemporary, and jazz. Each project brings dance into everyday life through films, music videos, and serials.
dance film trailer
CREATED , CHOREOGRAPHED & DIRECTED BY RICH LUGO
SCORE COMPOSED BY
CRISTHIAN ANDREWS
EDITED BY
AARON DWORETZKY &
DIANA PANFIL
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
LINDA KÄLLÉRUS
This double feature of narrative dance short films explores self-perception and body image as central themes.
dance anthology series trailer
CREATED & DIRECTED BY
RICH LUGO
CHOREOGRAPHY BY
RICH LUGO & SCOTT CURLEY
EDITED BY RICH LUGO
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
GREGORY ADDISON
CREATIVE CONSULTANT
MARVIN AVILA
Inspired by the medieval allegory, "Dance of Death," this narrative dance anthology series explores the dynamic relationships that exist between men.
music video series trailer
DIRECTED BY
RICH LUGO
EDITED BY RICH LUGO
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
GREGORY ADDISON
This ongoing project featuring post-high school youth from The Bronx exploring their voice through dance-- expressions of struggle, fear, and triumph.
CHOREOGRAPHER
photo by Gregory Addison
Ten years of early training as a martial artist – along with my involvement in high school musical theatre & dance – led me to pursue Dance further at Colorado State University. There, I refined my skills as a performer and began to explore my artistic voice as a choreographer. While I took advantage of every opportunity to dance at festivals, on campus, regionally, and on tour, I was pulled by the power and freedom in creating meaningful dances of my own. During my time as an undergrad I created 14 pieces, several of which were juried as main stage concert works and in pre-professional tour repertory. This was the impetus for starting DANSPIEK as well as informing the work I develop with my students as a public school dance educator.
EDITED BY JUSTIN SCHOLAR
CHOREOGRAPHY BY RICH LUGO
Showcasing signature pieces at CSU and work created as the artistic director of DANSPIEK.
music video
ORIGINAL SONG BY TIGER DARROW
DIRECTED & EDITED BY
JUSTIN SCHOLAR
CHOREOGRAPHY BY RICH LUGO
Client choreographic work created for an original song by independent music artist Tiger Darrow.
csu dance concert
signature solo
CHOREOGRAPHED & PERFORMED BY RICH LUGO
My first original solo explored how every human being has a side he or she hides from the world.
music video
ORIGINAL SONG BY BOT GARDEN
DIRECTED & EDITED BY
NATHAN KRAUSS
CHOREOGRAPHY BY RICH LUGO
Client choreographic work created for an original song by independent music artist Bot Garden.
EDUCATOR
photo by Bill Cotton
Along with DANSPIEK, I’ve built a distinguished career as a NYC DOE Dance Educator at public high schools in the Bronx. My Dance program was founded upon building community in the classroom in ways that nurture individual artistry. Throughout my tenure, I've designed a comprehensive and inclusive dance curriculum spanning technique and composition. My work as an artistic director sparked the creation of a new pilot Dance Film program whose interdisciplinary curriculum helps students across all Art forms collaborate and explore movement through the lens of filmmaking.
I've choreographed dance and musical productions which were honored at The Shubert Foundation High School Theatre Festival and the Bronx Borough Arts Festival. Beyond the classroom, I've mentored emerging dance educators, facilitated professional development workshops, and collaborated extensively with my Arts colleagues on musicals, film festivals, and themed events.
My goals as an educator are to empower students to discover their creative voices, develop disciplined technique, and collaborate with confidence - whether in the classroom, on stage, or behind the camera.
In many ways this path brings me full circle from my training as both a dancer and martial artist.
student dance film
TAPCo- Theatre Arts Production Company School
DIRECTED & EDITED BY
RICHARD LUGO
Two students are pursued by their worst nightmare one day at school.
"HUMAN" is the debut project from TAPCo's Dance Film program – an innovative interdisciplinary curriculum where students across all Arts majors collaborate. They produce original films which connect movement, camera technique, and storytelling.
performance reel
FHSA- Fordham High School for the Arts
DIRECTED & EDITED BY
RICHARD LUGO
Features alumni students performing across several thematic dance concerts. Students collaborated to fulfill choreographic tasks & featured solo work.
'streetcar' by daniel caesar
FHSA- Fordham High School for the Arts
DIRECTED & EDITED BY RICH LUGO
High school Dance students collaborated to choreograph, create and film this virtual dance piece in response to remote learning during COVID-19. It explores how dance can move forward in these times.
fhsa dance performance
FHSA- Fordham High School for the Arts
CHOREOGRAPHED & PERFORMED BY WILLIAM CARRASQUILLO,
CELESTE HOLDER, & MADISON RODGERS
This piece was collaboratively created by the students and Mr. Lugo and juried for performance in the festival. Based on a "power" theme, the trio was part of the 2017 (IN)EQUALITY Dance Concert program at FHSA.