THE COMPANY

push/FOLD is the Portland-based contemporary dance company co-directed by founder, composer, and choreographer Samuel Hobbs alongside performer and Managing Director Holly Shaw. Interweaving movement and sound into a single kinetic language, the company's productions create worlds fusing athletic movement and partnering, original sound composition, and story.

Developed through athletics, dance, and visceral biomechanics, push/FOLD's physical language and pedagogy, Visceral Movement Theory™, forms the backbone of the company's movement approach. Hobbs' audio-spatial synesthesia further shapes the company's distinctive relationship between bodies, space, and sound. “... its mood like a modern-day Haydn” (Bob Hicks, Oregon ArtsWatch).

Together, these foundations have led push/FOLD beyond conventional boundaries between dance, music, and interdisciplinary performance. In 2024, the company premiered its largest production to date, 'Vespers', an evening-length synthesis of dance and 100 live voices. push/FOLD continues to perform and teach throughout the United States and internationally.

Founded as an arts and education nonprofit with a vision of building community power through education, engagement, support, and advocacy, push/FOLD developed its educational programming alongside its creative work. Throughout each season, the company provides ongoing mentorship, career development, and commissioning opportunities for emerging and established artists, along with K-12 engagement opportunities for young audiences. In 2025, the company launched its touring youth-reach initiative, 'Physics in Motion', combining dance and physical science through live performance and somatic learning.

In 2019, push/FOLD launched the Union PDX - Festival of Contemporary Dance, expanding the company's advocacy and community-building work into presenting and commissioning artists. The festival brings artists working across movement forms and traditions from around the world to Portland to perform, teach, and engage directly with audiences and fellow artists. Union PDX is push/FOLD's most comprehensive program to address several systemic barriers limiting access, opportunity, and resources for artists, students, and audiences.

push/FOLD is a 501(c)(3) dance-arts nonprofit based in Portland, Oregon, USA.

push/FOLD is a member of:

• Latinx & Hispanic Dancers United
• PDX Dance
• Portland Arts Leaders (PAL)

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