JEFF HANCOCK
BIO
Jeff Hancock designs and constructs movement and costumes, examines their overlap and sometimes mutual influence. Since 1990, throughout his years dancing for River North, Hubbard Street, Same Planet, MadShak and many others, his dance and design life collided, supported and informed each other. The study of movement and curiosity about the semiotics of clothing has fueled a long history of aesthetic exploration ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime, minimalism to excess. Recent projects include 25th Anniversary Dance For Life Finale – Choreographer Randy Duncan, Jump Rhythm Jazz Project – Jimmie Blues, Walkabout Theater – the cure, Curmudgeon Productions – Fantasmagorie, Khecari – The Cronus Land, Lucky Plush – Super Strip, Parsons Dance Co. – Train. He was a founding member of River North Dance Chicago, danced for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Dance Kaleidoscope, and Same Planet Different World Dance Theater, where he was a Co-Artistic Director. Recent choreography includes Rid of Them – a collaboration with Molly Shanahan/MadShak, ellipsis NU Danceworks – The Great Gatsby and Grapes of Wrath NU, Impolite Society at The Kennedy Center. He has created work for River North Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Repertory Ensemble, Columbia College, Northwestern University, Paramount Theatre, the Edinburgh Festival, Same Planet, The Dance COLEctive, Pegasus Players, and Ohio Northern University among others. His company -ish design was formed in 2007. He was nominated for a McCormick Distinguished Lecturer Award, Ruth Page Awards for his dancing and choreography, and is an Illinois Arts Council grant recipient.
