Founded in 2008 by dancer-choreographer Adam Battelstein—the choreographer, creative
director, and master teaching artist for the Pilobolus for 19 years—Catapult transcends the
traditional dance performance with its unique combination of dance, storytelling, and sculpture. By
showcasing the human body and its ability to transform, Catapult dancers work behind a screen to
create seemingly impossible dancing shadow silhouettes of shapes from the world around us. With
the arc of an arm, the point of a toe, or the twist of a torso, Catapult’s dancers stretch their bodies
and audience’s imaginations, telling stories with humor and pathos by transforming magically from
one shape to another. Their performances seamlessly meld cutting edge technology with classic
dance technique.
First catapulting to fame as finalists on Season 8 of America’s Got Talent, Catapult has since
received international acclaim for their live shadow dance performances. They have thrilled
audiences in over 100 cities throughout the world in locations such as North America, Europe, the
Middle East and China. They have appeared on a variety of television shows, such as Good
Morning America, the Today Show, TBS’ Conan, the Oprah Winfrey Show, and the 2007 Academy
Awards.
The Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University provides high-quality
activities for over 50,000 people from over 800 zip codes annually through performances,
rehearsals, museum exhibitions, and master classes. Located on Pepperdine’s breathtaking
Malibu campus overlooking the Pacific, the center serves as a hub for the arts, uniquely linking
professional guest artists with Pepperdine students as well as patrons from surrounding Southern
California communities. Facilities include the 450-seat Smothers Theatre, the 118-seat Raitt
Recital Hall, the “black box” Helen E. Lindhurst Theatre, and the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of
Art.