Michigan Movement Performance Projects (M2P2) will premiere four new works by dance theater company VIM VIGOR, led by Shannon Gillen and Jason Cianciulli, and MARCAT, the artistic home for Mario Bermudez Gil and American co-founder and SMTD alum Catherine Coury. The event features performances by U-M students, alumni, and other emerging artists from across the country, and lighting design by Jess Fialko. Designed and produced by Associate Professor of Dance Shannon Gillen, M2P2 is an annual program and platform that provides seven weeks of physical practice training, creation processes, compositional mentorship, auditions and interactions with active companies in the US, as well as public performances like the one we welcome you to this evening. M2P2 operates much like a professional company, and it champions Midwest talent in a supportive, community-based environment, where artists 18+ are able to advance their technical and performance skills, while enriching their network with exceptional experiences and access to working choreographers. This is especially valuable in the post-pandemic dance landscape, where emphasis has shifted away from singular coastal city hubs. This program connects exceptional dancers with hiring companies each year, delivering key resources, skills, and experience necessary for rich and fulfilling careers in the dance field. Tickets are free and available at the door, but advance registration is encouraged.