Lin Shook

Lin Shook has an MA in dance and a BA in education. She furthered her technical training in Chicago at Dance Center of Columbia College, the Chicago Moving Company, and MoMing, as well as through intensive summer residencies with Hanya Holm, one of the founders of modern dance, and Liz Lerman. Lin is a recipient of the Independent Choreographer’s Award from the Metropolitan Dance Association in Washington D.C. Her choreography has been aired on Cable TV, WTTW, ArtBeat and The Chicago Dance Project. She has served on the dance panels of the Illinois Arts Council, CityArts, and CAAP.

She is founder and Artistic Director of Perceptual Motion, Inc., a professional modern dance company comprised of dancers aged 23 to 81. The mission of Perceptual Motion, Inc. is to engage dancers of mixed generations to create inspiring and meaningful experiences that open awareness, challenge perceptions and create community. This is achieved through concert performances and programs for children and elders. PMI performs annually at the Ruth Page Theatre, Ravenswood Artwalk, Dancing in the Square, and numerous festivals and venues throughout Chicagoland.

Lin wrote, directed, and performed in three Urban Gateways touring programs for elementary children teaching mathematics, history, and rainforest environments through dance and movement. She has worked through Vittum Theater, Arts 4 Learning, Art Start, C.A.P.E., and as an Artist-in-Residence for the Illinois Arts Council. She has taught migrant children and given teacher inservices through the Illinois Migrant Program.

She helped write the Chicago Fine Arts Standards for dance, has written extensively on arts integration for the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education and Chicago Public Schools, and has published lesson plans on the Arts 4 Learning website.

“Shook’s connection to arcane, sophisticated science and art is fascinating.” -Sid Smith, dance critic

“Shook’s choreography is challenging and innovative.” -Lucia Mauro, dance critic

Lin Shook is founder and Artistic Director of Perceptual Motion, Inc. Dance Company, currently celebrating its 29th year. Perceptual Motion, Inc. is a modern dance company composed of professional dancers who range in age from 22 to 79. It’s mission is to transform the abstract imagery of dance into personal and meaningful experiences for people of all ages. Ms. Shook served on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Dance Coalition from 1984 to 1990 during which time she was founder and editor of the Chicago Dance Coalition Newsletter.