Choreographer Ben Munisteri looked forward to working with the Pennsylvania Dance Theatre on the Urbanization Project and the growth potential for doing so.

"The challenge is what excites me, to stay within this theme," Munisteri said, referring to the Urbanization Project.

Munisteri was born in Brooklyn and graduated from Oberlin College with a dance minor.

Life in New York City has equipped him with special insight into the ways in which population growth can affect open spaces such as recreations and parks. It is with this knowledge that he will translate the way in which overcrowding generates movement.

"We made this dance by beginning to crowd the dancers in a small space and seeing how the environment changes how the dancers move," he said, describing one of the dances for the project.

The dancers will interpret level changes as a result of confined space. The idea of limiting space is a central theme to the dances he has choreographed.

He chooses to contrast the negative and positive results of urbanization through background music that will underscore his work. He is specifically excited about some of the lyrics that deal with the social alienation of the standard work force.

Munisteri will use classical pieces too. He wants the audience to understand that major artists have and still do perform in major cities.

His own dance company has been developing since 1994.

His shows have been produced at popular New York venues including Central Park SummerStage and the NYC International Fringe Festival.

In addition, Munisteri has been a guest choreographer at The Julliard School Drama Department.

He has taught dance technique at Drew University and the University of Kentucky. He has also been a substitute teacher at the School of American Ballet and the Alvin Ailey School.

Although modern dance may appear to be his overriding inspiration, he describes his prior training as varied. Because he has had extensive training, Munisteri does not necessarily deal in specifics. There are no narratives and no characters in his dances for the project .

As a choreographer he references modern dance, ballet, gymnastics and even break-dancing as sources for his creativity.

"My arts background encompassed music, and I started dancing in my teens," he said.

The Urbanization Project will be Munisteri's first time choreographing for the PDT. He is whole-heartedly grateful for the opportunity to work with Ann Van Kuren.

"I came up with an idea that reflects Ann's concerns. It's great just to get someone who is interested in your work."