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VIM VIGOR

VIM VIGOR is many things: a collaborative think tank, a dance theater research group, a team of seasoned educators committed to rich and informed exploration of the arts, choreographers commissioned to create original works around the world, a company of curious performing artists pushing the limits of live performance, and a decade strong nonprofit organization.

Our collective training comes from The Juilliard School, SUNY Purchase, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Brown University, Berklee College of Music, U-M Ann Arbor. We have taught at universities and institutions around the world and now proudly serve in the dance department here at the University of Michigan here in Ann Arbor, MI. 

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SHANNON GILLEN

Artistic Director and Co-Choreographer of VIM VIGOR

Shannon Gillen is the artistic director of VIM VIGOR (US). Her creative work has been commissioned across the USA, Canada, Central America, South America, Nordic countries and Europe. Projects include commissions by L.A. Dance Project, fashion label PHELAN for NY Fashion Week, DANCEworks at the Lobero Theatre, Hubbard Street 2, Gibney Dance Company, Over het lj in the Netherlands, Jacob's Pillow Festival, ICA in Boston, Ruvuelo in Chile, Boston Dance Theater, Mainfranken Theater Würzburg, Arts Umbrella in Vancouver, the International Solo-Tanz Theater Festival in Stuttgart, the TIF theater in Kassel, de Danseurs in NL, as a THINK BIG choreographer-in-residence at Staatsoper Hannover and at Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton where she was a choreographer in residence; notable festivals and venues where her work has been seen include Springboard Danse Festival in Montreal, New York Live Arts, Prisma Festival in Panama, Judson Church, PULSE Art Fair/Art Basel, Bryant Park, NYC's River to River Festival, Perry Mansfield, and The Joyce. VIM's work PUNCHLINE premiered at dock 11 in Berlin, before touring to the Arthur Miller Theater in Michigan, and with Gibney Presents at the Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center in NYC. Prior to founding VIM VIGOR, Shannon was a full company member of the Johannes Wieland company at Staatstheater Kassel in Germany.

 

Last year she was commissioned to create work at the IUA in Reykjavik, Iceland that premiered in May 2024. 2024 / 2025 commissions include St. Louis based Resilience Dance Company, b12 Festival, the The University of Limerick, the IAB in Spain, a collaborative show in London, UK, and Zagreb Dance Company in Croatia. Dedicated to educating and learning from the next generation of artists, Gillen is an Associate Professor of Dance at The University of Michigan where her company VIM VIGOR is the department’s company in residence. She is a graduate of The Juilliard School, earned her MFA from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU where she received the Dean Fellowship. Shannon also trained in Meisner acting at the Maggie Flanigan Studio in NYC, which contributes significantly to VIM's approach to dance theater methodology.

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JASON CIANCIULLI

Co-Choreographer and Co-Founder of VIM VIGOR

Jason Reese C. is a Psycho-Physical Theatre Artist whose research is grounded in Floorwork, Partnering and Physical Theatre. He is a teacher, performer, bodyworker and creator who aims to make worlds, sculpt space and tell stories. As an international performer he has worked throughout the United States and many other countries, including Canada, Panama, Germany, and Romania. He holds a License in Massage Therapy in both Michigan and Pennsylvania, working in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Craniosacral, and Myofascial Release Techniques. Jason is a co-choreographer with VIM VIGOR. He holds a BFA in dance from SUNY Purchase and an MFA in dance from the University of Michigan. Jason also trained in Meisner technique at Maggie Flanigan's Studio in NYC. After receiving his BFA, Jason returned to SUNY Purchase to teach as a lecturer. He now teaches as a LEO in the dance department of the University of Michigan. With VIM he has taught at various institutions throughout the globe, creating work and teaching VIM’s Physical Dance Theater Methodology. He most previously was teaching at the University of Iceland. Jason was a Performer and Rehearsal Director with the iconic immersive show, Sleep No More NYC.

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TOM LIPINSKI 

TV and FILM Actor, Dramaturg and Acting Advisor for VIM VIGOR

Tom Lipinski is an actor and documentary producer best known for his role as Trevor in the hit television show Suits. He is also the recipient of an Edward R. Murrow Award for his work producing Gone South, an investigative journalism podcast about crime in the deep south.

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Tom attended Concord Public High school where he was an All-American athlete and later went to Brown University where he majored in history. In New York, he started his career as an actor working in experimental theater for Obie Award winning Theater of a Two-Headed Calf. Other theater credits include leading roles in plays by A.R. Gurney and Christopher Shinn.

For film and television, he has worked with acclaimed directors like Steven Soderbergh in The Knick, Jason Reitman in Labor Day and Paolo Sorrentino in Youth. In addition to his recurring role as Trevor in the hit USA/Netflix show Suits, Tom has also recurred across multiple series including Billions and the recent television adaptation of Bong Joon Ho's Snowpiercer.

As a producer, Tom co-created the Edward R Murrow Award winning podcast Gone South. Now entering its fourth season, Gone South dives into a new true crime story each week. Available wherever you download or stream your favorite podcasts.

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TZVETA KASSABOVA

Collaborator and Performer

Tzveta Kassabova is a Bulgarian born choreographer, performer, costume designer and installation artist who was named one of the '25 to watch' by Dance Magazine. At different times she has been a gymnast, physicist, and meteorologist, and she holds three Masters degrees. Her work has been presented in throughout US, Europe and Asia, and has received multiple awards for the performance and choreography. Currently, Tzveta is an associate professor at the Department of Theatre&Drama at UMich. She has always been fascinated by the concept of space, and is constantly trying to address it, both in her choreography and design.

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KATHERINE KIESSLING

Collaborator and Performer

Katherine Kiessling is a dancer and student at the University of Michigan, where she is pursuing a double major in Dance and Computer Science. She has trained and performed across the United States and Europe with companies such as Vim Vigor, b12, Whim W’Him, Sidra Bell, and Christina Mertzani, among others. In April, Katherine traveled to Iceland with Vim Vigor as a choreographic collaborator and assistant rehearsal director for their commission, 'DON’T LET ME DOWN,' for the graduating class of contemporary dance at the Iceland University of the Arts. In July, she assisted Vim Vigor in their performance project and workshop at the b12 festival for contemporary dance in Berlin. Katherine is excited to be performing in Vim Vigor's upcoming work, DRACULA, this November at the University of Michigan..

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MARSHALL CHADBOURNE

Composer and Sound Designer

 

Marshall Chadbourne, based in Portland, Maine, is a Producer and Composer with a focus on electronic compositions and sound design. After graduating from Berklee in 2023, Marshall's love for the collaborative process of turning ideas into auditory experiences has led him to noteworthy achievements. His compositions include original scores for Vim Vigor's “Mother's Love" and “Punchline" for the B12 festival in Berlin, “Size of Darkness" for Power Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Kiley Dolaway's creations for Staatstheater Kassel. Additionally, Marshall recently scored season 3 of the "Gone South" podcast for Cadence 13 productions. Blending technical abilities with a fresh vision, Marshall's approach to music and technology is inspired by both experimental works and commercial productions alike.

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JESS FIALKO

Lighting Designer and Production Manager

Jess Fialko, is a lighting, costume, and scenic designer. Regional credits include: Colorado Springs Conservatory, Theatreworks Colorado Springs, Penobscot Theatre Company, Promethean Theatre Ensemble, Riverside Theatre, Iowa Summer Repertory, Maples Repertory Theatre, Hollins University, University of Northern Iowa, Birmingham Children's Theatre, Davenport Junior Theatre, and Quad Cities Theatre Workshop. Jess is a clinical assistant professor of Theatre & Drama at the University of Michigan, where they teach lighting design and theatre production.

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