THE SERIES 2017 presents Big Escape, a world premiere contemporary ballet choreographed by Michelle Thompson Ulerich on Sunday June 11th, 2017 at 8:00 PM. Set to a lush piano score by Joshua Piper, this performance will feature Mrs. Ulerich’s new company, Distributed Movement in its New York debut as part of a Split Bill performance with Michael Mao Dance.

Big Escape features 8 dynamic dancers attempting to break through to the “other side”. This interactive piece makes use of a field of green Astroturf that is physically transformed according to the dancers’ perceived desires. Set to an original compilation of unraveling piano pieces by Joshua Piper, Big Escape is a “feel everything” ballet that takes audiences from a place of tortured desire to a world of earned contentment.

The dancers of Distributed Movement include: Jane Cracovaner, Eloise Deluca, Wilson Anderson, Zui Gomez, Kerime Konur, Kathleen Bollana, Brittni Genovese, & Lacey Baroch.

Michelle Thompson Ulerich

Artistic Director & Choreographer

Originally from California, Michelle Thompson Ulerich trained at San Francisco Ballet for nine years before joining Ballet Austin. During her 14 years with the company, she performed in works by Stephen Mills, Balanchine, Ulysses Dove, Twyla Tharp, Nelly van Bommel, Thang Dao, Greg Dolbashian, & Sidra Bell. Since launching her career as a choreographer she has been commissioned by Ballet Spartanburg, Ballet Austin, Illusory Impressions (2016 Austin Critics Table & Robert Faires’ Top Ten Treasures Award), The Moving Beauty Series, Califa Arts Collaborative, Ballet Zaida, MOTION Dance Theatre, San Angelo Civic Ballet, Steve Parker (2012 Austin Critics Table Award for Best Chamber Performance), Ballet Conservatory of South Texas, The Empathy Series, and Spark Movement Collective. In addition to choreographing, Mrs. Ulerich teaches dance at SUNY Purchase.