Third Coast Percussion 

Metamorphosis 

with choreography by MAI (Movement Art Is: Lil Buck & Jon Boogz) 

Chicago’s Third Coast Percussion and dancer-choreographers Lil Buck and Jon Boogz (together known as Movement Art Is) began this project remotely during the COVID-19 lockdown, a time that gave a special resonance to ideas of shared human experience. The result is a groundbreaking collaboration that weaves contemporary percussion music with distinct and powerful dance styles. 

Featuring music by Jlin, Tyondai Braxton, and Philip Glass, Third Coast Percussion’s dynamic score blends with the choreographers’ dance styles: Lil Buck’s fluid, balletic Memphis Jookin and Jon Boogz’ sharp, surreal popping. The percussion quartet and two dancers to be announced create a stunning meditation on dualities in human nature—fluidity and rigidity, struggle and triumph, individuality and connection. 

At its heart, the work dramatizes the growth, resilience, and self-expression of two young Black men, offering an intimate journey that is as thought-provoking as it is visually and musically compelling. 

Support is provided by the



through its ArtsAmplified initiative.

These performances are made possible in part by support from Celebrity Series' Amy & Joshua Boger Innovation Fund.