Jun Kuribayashi’s sore muscles tell a story.

“Every day you’re injured,” Kuribayashi said last Thursday.

Kuribayashi, a Lawrence native and KU alumnus, had just left an early morning massage in Florida — therapy for his aching body. But Kuribayashi has learned to cope with the pain. Mostly, because he has to. When you’re a member of Pilobolus, an internationally-known dance company from Connecticut, a little bodily discomfort comes with the territory.

The pain might be easier for Kuribayashi to handle on Wednesday. Pilobolus, known for its exaggerated body contortions and physical interaction between performers, presents a five-piece program tonight at 7:30 at the Lied Center. That means Kuribayashi, who graduated from Lawrence High School in 1997, gets the opportunity to return home.

“I wish we could do this every year,” Kuribayashi said. “I’m sad that I’m only there on a Wednesday, just one night to perform.”

Lawrence is a special place to Kuribayashi. His mother still teaches piano here. He met his wife, Casey, here. This is where Kuribayashi began the dancing journey that has taken him all around the world.

In 2000, Kuribayashi was taking a break from school and spending most of his time honing the skill of Capoeira, a Brazilian mix of martial arts and dance. He was a staple in the Lawrence break-dancing circles, showing off his moves at Lawrence clubs such as the Granada.

One night a friend spotted Kuribayashi and asked him to do a demonstration of Capoeira in a University of Kansas world dance class.

Watching the day Kuribayashi gave the demonstration was Joan Stone, former department of music and dance director.

Stone saw a little talent and asked Kuribayashi if he’d ever consider enrolling in the department.

“I was just working,” Kuribayashi said. “Just taking time off of school, so I said, ‘Sure, I’d love to come dance.’”

Kuribayashi spent his childhood playing soccer, swimming and practicing gymnastics.

Kuribayashi said dancing just seemed like a natural progression.

“It was just another way to stay active and have fun and be around beautiful ladies.”

Well, at least it was for awhile.

Professor of dance Janet Hamburg watched as the new kid in the department turned heads.

“It took him awhile to find his passion,” Hamburg said.

Once he did, Kuribayashi’s dance career took off.

“He had a natural fluidity of movement,” Hamburg said. “He learned much more quickly because of that.”

After nearly four years in the department, Kuribayashi had progressed so much that Hamburg sent him a notice about an audition in August 2004. Pilobolus, the unique dance company with the funky choreography, was holding tryouts in New York City.

After five days of auditions Kuribayashi received a job offer. As it was, his dancing at the clubs came in handy and the dance company noticed his skill for improvisation. “I’d be at the clubs and I’d be dancing around these people,” Kuribayashi said. “I’d constantly have to evolve my movements just so I didn’t hit somebody that had a beer in their hand.”

The enigmatic personality that had caught the eye of faculty at the University also caught the eye of the Pilobolus members. The masses of other athletic and chiseled Pilobolus hopefuls didn’t intimidate Kuribayashi.

Instead he just greeted everyone with a pleasant, “Hi my name is Jun, I’m from Kansas.”

After nearly four years of traveling and performing 48 weeks a year, Kuribayashi is finally returning to his hometown to perform — a place he visits whenever he has time off.

“It’s just sort of like a reunion of sorts,” Kuribayashi, who has appeared on the cover of Dance Magazine, said.

His family will be there on Wednesday, so will Hamburg and other department faculty members, and so will his sixth grade teacher and high school swimming coach.

“Students think they’re at a disadvantage,” Hamburg said. “They think, ‘I couldn’t possibly go to New York.’ He’s a wonderful role model.”

Kuribayashi walked away from his morning massage refreshed. He said he was excited to fly back to Lawrence to celebrate his wife’s birthday on Tuesday.

“You can’t do this job without having a very understanding spouse,” Kuribayashi said.

For the moment, his mind was free of thoughts about sore muscles and piercing pain.

— Edited by Katherine Loeck