Over the past three decades, the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company has brought the Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) work that asks audiences to look closely at the world around them and at the people who move through it.
These visits have aligned with important moments in the company’s history and have often sparked broader conversations on campus about art, identity and shared experience. As we prepare for the Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane Company’s return to Shannon Hall on March 18, take a look back at the company’s work and connections to Madison over the years.
1992 - “Freedom of Information III; Red Room; The Gift/No God Logic; D-man in the Waters”
The company’s 1992 appearance introduced local audiences to the emotional range of Jones’ work. “D-Man in the Waters,” created during the height of the AIDS crisis, stood out for its sense of urgency and collective strength. Other works on the program reflected Jones’ growing interest in language, structure, and the inner lives of the dancers, offering multiple ways into the company’s evolving artistic voice.
1994 - “Still/Here”
“Still/Here” is perhaps the company’s most prolific work. Built around recorded testimonies from people living with terminal illness, the piece offered a deeply human portrait of endurance and vulnerability. While its premiere sparked national debate, the work has continued to resonate with audiences for its directness and emotional clarity. The performance invited viewers to reflect on how people find meaning during times of uncertainty.
1998 - “We Set Out Early...Visibility Was Poor”
This program explored themes of movement, uncertainty, and change. The work unfolded in shifting sections, moving quickly between moments of humor, tension, and quiet reflection. Rather than offering a single narrative, the piece created space for audiences to interpret the journey for themselves.
2002 - Program with Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Orion Quartet
Jones’ 2002 return centered on collaboration between dancers and live musicians. The program brought together choreography and classical music in a shared performance space, emphasizing dialogue between art forms. Jones also participated in a post-performance talk on artistic collaboration, offering insight into how shared creative processes shape his work.
2006 - “Blind Date”
Created in the years following 9/11, “Blind Date” reflected a period of national unease and shifting relationships. The work moved between lighter moments and more challenging material, mirroring the complexity of the time. Spoken text appeared throughout the piece, adding another layer to the performance and inviting audiences into a broader emotional landscape.
2015 - Play and Play: An Evening of Movement and Music
This return placed live musicians directly onstage as collaborators. “Continuous Replay,” performed in part with UW–Madison dancers, emphasized repetition, exchange, and shared momentum. The collaboration with Mead Witter School of Music students gave the evening a layered, communal spirit. Jones also spoke as part of the Wisconsin Union Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series, offering insight into how memory and interpretation guide his process.