May 1, 2017

Meet Lin Shook Schalek of Perceptual Motion

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lin Shook Schalek.

Lin, Founder and Artistic Director of Perceptual Motion, Inc., is recipient of the Independent Choreographer’s Award from the Metropolitan Dance Association in Washington, D. C., where she received her MA in dance. Lin’s work has been influenced by her studies with Hanya Holm, Eric Hawkins, Alwin Nikolais and Liz Lerman and in Chicago with Shirley Mordine, Nana Shineflug and Jan Erkert. Lin served on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Dance Coalition from 1984-90 and founded the Chicago Dance Coalition Newsletter. Lin has been on the dance panels for the Illinois Arts Council, CityArts and CAAP. She is a dance specialist in Chicagoland schools through Urban Gateways, Art Start and the Old Town School of Folk Music. She has written extensively for the Illinois Arts Alliance for Education, the Chicago Board of Education and the State of Illinois. Lin currently teaches adult modern dance, children’s dance and yoga, Tai Chi, chair yoga and meditation.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My biggest challenge is to continue to develop and grow as an artist while making enough money to pay the bills. It is quite the balancing act. If I did not love dancing and choreographing so much, it would be impossible to maintain for so long. I am the artistic director, but, for lack of adequate funding, am also the executive director of Perceptual Motion, Inc., now in its 33rd year. Needless to say, my days are quite long-an 8 hour day is a luxury!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Perceptual Motion, Inc. – what should we know?
Perceptual Motion, Inc. is a dynamic, multigenerational modern dance company.
Its intriguing choreography, instruction and skilled dancing bring the dance into people’s lives. Its mission is to engage dancers of mixed generations (23 to 83) to create inspiring and meaningful experiences that open awareness, challenge perceptions and create community. The organization is dedicated to making meaningful connections through dance. This is achieved through performances in a variety of settings both in concert and community, and dance/movement instruction for people of all ages in schools, hospitals, dance studios, retirement homes and community centers. PMI performs annually at the Ruth Page Theatre, Ravenswood Artwalk, Dancing in the Square, in Chicago Dance Month and numerous festivals and venues throughout Chicagoland. Its education programs (dance residencies, teacher in services, workshops, after school classes) are booked throughout Chicagoland through Urban Gateways and independently. Perceptual Motion, Inc.’s founder and artistic director is award-winning choreographer Lin Shook.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The ability to be adaptable and think outside the box are necessary to survive as an arts organization, especially a small dance company. Perceptual Motion, Inc. has survived since 1983 through my passion, persistence and belief in the power of dance to enhance and change people’s lives.

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