We just learned the terribly sad news that Jonathan Wolken, co-founder of Pilobolus Dance Theater, passed away on Sunday. He had been ill for with myelofibrosis, a disorder of the bone marrow.

As White Bird audiences know, Pilobolus is one of our favorite companies. We have presented them three times,to sold-out houses, the last time being in fall 2007 during our 10th anniversary season. Jonathan Wolken's contributions to this unique and hugely popular dance company  cannot be underestimated, and we wish to express our deepest condolences to the entire Pilobolus family.

According to today's Dance/USA announcement, Pilobolus originated when Wolken, a Dartmouth philosophy major, and fellow student Moses Pendleton met at a dance class taught by Alison Chase. The men began performing after graduation in 1971 and were later joined by fellow students Robby Barnett and Michael Tracy and dance teachers Martha Clark and Chase in 1973. They would form an unusual artistic collaborative from which works emerged from a free-spirited group dynamic.

The company relocated to Western Connecticut in the mid-'70s. First Clark in 1978 and then Pendleton in 1983 would move on to create their own dance companies, but the quartet would remain for many years creating works that became known for their athleticism, sensuality and theatricality.

Pilobolus has special ties to Portland. Jamey Hampton, Co-Artistic Director of BodyVox, was an early member of Pilobolus and close friend of Jonathan's.  Darryl Thomas of Rainbow Dance Theatre in Monmouth was a more recent member of this company.