Companhia de Dança Deborah Colker Mix

Society for the Performing Arts
Presents
Companhia de Dança Deborah Colker
Mix
Friday, October 12 at 8 p.m.
Jones Hall
CREDIT LIST
CREATION, DIRECTION AND CHOREOGRAPHY
DEBORAH COLKER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ART DIRECTION AND SET DESIGN
MUSICAL DIRECTION
João Elias
Gringo Cardia
Chico Neves e Sérgio Mekler (1º ato),
Berna Ceppas, Alexandre Kassin e
Sergio Mekler (2º ato)
Jorginho de Carvalho
Yamê Reis
Paulo Severo
Frito Studio
Flavio Colker
LIGHTING DESIGN
COSTUME DESIGN
VIDEO
GRAPHIC DESIGN
DIRECTION ASSISTANT AND PHOTOGRAPHY
CHOREOGRAPHY ASSISTANT
SET DESIGN ASSISTANTS
LIGHTING ASSISTANT
COSTUME DESIGN ASSISTANT
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
CLASSICAL BALLET TEACHERS
Jacqueline Motta
Belí Araujo e Afonso Tostes
Cezar Ramires
Luiza Continentino
José Roberto Prado Jr.
Eric Frederic, Jacy França,
Roberto Oliveira, Ronaldo Martins,
Rosalia Verlangieri
CONTEMPORARY DANCE THEACHER
Deborah Colker, Lavínia Bizzotto
TECHNICAL ADVISOR
Geraldim Miranda
PRESS AGENT
Factoria Comunicação / Vanessa Cardoso
LIGHT OPERATOR
SET CONSTRUCTION
CARPENTERS
WARDROBE/DRESSER
MAINTENANCE
Pedro Forjaz
Pro-Longa Cenografia Artes e Eventos
Gilmar Rodrigues and Elenilson Costa Lima
Eliuma Silva
Isaías Lago Bastos
PRODUCTION, TOUR AND BOOKING MANAGER
Gledson Teixeira
FINANCIAL CLERK
Mirian Furtado
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Luana Pires and Fernanda Albuquerque
OFFICE ASSISTANT
Israel Oliveira
DANCERS:
Aline Machado, Ariate Costa, Bianca Lopes, Bruno Miranda, Carlos Eduardo Oliveira, Carol Pagano,
Dielson Pessoa, Harrison Gavlar, Jaime Bernardes, José Antonio Ramos, Larissa Romanowski, Lucas Saraiva,
Luiz Crepaldi, Rebeca Ferreira, Ricardo Alves, Sheila Fingier, Victoria Oggiam
COMPANHIA DE DANÇA DEBORAH COLKER IS SOLELY SPONSORED BY
THE BRAZIL STATE OIL COMPANY, PETROBRAS
ABOUT MIX
This show was specially conceived for the Lyon Dance Biennial, in 1996. MIX is the combination of
Companhia de Dança Deborah Colker's two first shows: VULCÃO and VELOX. In 2001Colker was the first
Brazilian to receive the Lawrence Olivier Award in the category of Best Achievement in Dance for MIX.
Segment by Segment
Machines: The human body explores its physical limits. Precision and synchronicity are the watchwords.
Fashion Show: A collection of gestures and movements set to the beat of samba, maxixe, marcha-rancho, bossa
nova, maracatu, or baião, dancers strive for the catwalk. In the background, three oversized chairs play with the
idea of (lack of) proportion.
Passion: Attraction and repulsion. Within seconds, supreme pleasure can turn into rage. A maelstrom of 23 pasde-deux strikes the scene. A collage of romantic megahits serves as a backdrop.
Mechanics: Weight, dynamics, contrast, geometry, and space. The basic principles of movement stand in the
scenic area. Five spinning blades of 3m in diameter, placed vertically, take you back in time and to the gears of
the mechanics of movement, materializing on stage the polar forces.
Quotidian: The principle of movement flows into commonplace, everyday movement. A melting pot of sudden
and repetitive gestures invades the scene. Ordinary movements, full of intent but cut out of their context. The
lades still turning. The sound mixes street noises, crackling radio, sirens, and disjointed dialogues.
Sonar: The slow deceleration of the huge fans/mills sets the tone for what follows: a kind of rite of passage
between Quotidian and Mountaineering. Here begins the primary investigation concerning a new axis. A
continuous sea sound pervades the scene.
Mountaineering: The search for balance is taken to extremes. The floor becomes upright, and as a challenge to
the gravity law, the dancers dance with ease in a scenic wall of 6.60 m in height and 8.40 m wide.
CREATIVE TEAM
DEBORAH COLKER, Director and Choreographer
Deborah Colker played the piano for 12 years, studied psychology, and played professional volleyball. Between
1980 and 1988 she danced, choreographed and taught for Coringa Dance Group under the direction of Graciela
Figueroa. In 1984 she was invited by the Brazilian actress Dina Sfat to choreograph the movement scenes for a
play, and essentially launched her career as a “movement director.” The title was suggested by Ulisses Cruz, a
famous Brazilian director, to define Deborah’s pioneering work in theater. She went on to collaborate with
many of the country’s most important directors and actors on more than 30 plays. Deborah also choreographed
music shows and video clips for a variety of Brazilian pop stars. For the famous Rio Carnival she regularly
choreographs the group that opens the parade of each Samba School.
Deborah established her own company in 1994, following an invitation to participate in the Carlton
Dance Festival. Since then, she has created nine full-length dance pieces: Vulcão, Velox, Mix, Rota, Casa, 4 por
4, Knot, Dynamo and Cruel. Her work has been recognized at various Brazilian awards ceremonies over the
years. She was the first Brazilian artist to receive an Olivier Award in 2001, winning the Outstanding
Achievement in Dance category for her choreography of Mix at the Barbican. In 2003, Deborah debuted an
evening of works as a guest choreographer at Komische Oper Berlin including Ela, a commissioned piece, and
Casa, originally created for her own company in 1999. This resulted in the development of Knot, which has
been presented across Brazil and the UK since its 2005 premiere at the Movimentos Dance Festival in
Germany. In 2008 Deborah wrote, directed, and choreographed Cirque du Soleil’s OVO, which premiered in
2009 in Quebec. She has the distinction of being the first woman to direct for Cirque du Soleil.
JOÃO ELIAS ALVARES DA SILVA, Executive Director
João Elias Alvares da Silva has worked as an actor, producer, and director. From 1984-1986 he performed in
and produced a variety of theater and music shows in Rio. In 1987 he produced television commercials and
worked at TV Globo, appearing in several news programs. In 1992 he founded JE Produções, a company that
has made a variety of films and videos for leading Brazilian artists and television documentaries. In 1994 he
began his association with Deborah Colker, and helped her with the founding of her dance company. Three
years later a partnership with Belisario Franca/Giros Produções, a company specializing in documentaries for
Brazilian television, was formed. In 2000 the partnership with Belisario ended and João now dedicates himself
exclusively to Cia de Dança Deborah Colker.
GRINGO CARDÍA, Art Director and Set Designer
Responsible for all of the company’s set designs since its inception in 1994, Gringo Cardía is one of the most
popular designers in Brazil working as a graphic artist, set designer, architect, art director, and director of music
videos, theatre shows, and concerts. He has collaborated with music artists such as Gilberto Gil, Marisa Monte,
Daniela Mercury, and various Brazilian rock bands, as well as designed fashion shows for the label Salinas and
the Brazilian Pavilion at Expo 2000 in Hanover, Germany. Since 1999 he has been responsible for the design of
the Christmas window of H.Stern’s Fifth Avenue store in New York. He has won many awards and was
selected along with such names as David Carson, Fred Trollerm, and Massimo Vignelli for the Pan American
Graphic Summit in São Paulo. He is also credited with inspiring “Vasos” in Deborah Colker’s 4 por 4. Most
recently Gringo designed the set for Cirque du Soleil’s newest show OVO.
BERNA CEPPAS, Musical Direction, Act II
Having studied music under the direction of João Carlos Assis Brasil, Berna Ceppas has worked with many
Brazilian vocalists and musicians, as well as composed and arranged for television shows. After learning
musical production for video and film, and digital sound processing technology, he began to compose using
computers and samplers. He has since been responsible for the production of several records and remixes. Berna
began collaborating with Cia de Dança Deborah Colker in 1994, participating on the soundtrack for Vulcão and
all subsequent pieces in the company’s repertoire. He composes and directs works across many genres, from
Rio de Janeiro’s samba revival group Orquestra Imperial to Cirque du Soleil’s latest show OVO.
ALEXANDRE KASSIN, Musical Direction, Act II
This Brazilian music producer, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist was born in 1974. Kassin loves to
experiment and it was while making strange noises before the sampler that he became such a professional. He
was only 17 when Deborah Colker heard him practicing what he calls “crazy collages” and invited him to do
the soundtracks for her show. Kassin collaborates with Moreno Veloso and Domenico Lancelotti, the nationally
acclaimed group +2, and the samba revival group Orquestra Imperial. He has worked projects with Artificial,
which included the release of the album Free U.S.A., and is repeatedly invited to produce tracks for various
Brazilian singers including Caetano Veloso.
CHICO NEVES, Musical Direction, Act I
In 1978 this Brazilian music producer began his career in the EMI-ODEON studios. Chico is well renowned in
the music industry and is admired for his creative blending craftsmanship with high technology. He is a maestro
in his field having produced many major Brazilian artists and film scores making him a key component to a
production team. He is also part of a factory of ideas created in 1995 by four friends called Chelpa Ferro. This
factory inspired “Mesa” (Table) in Deborah’s show 4 x 4.
SERGIO MEKLER, Musical Direction, Acts I and II
Sergio Mekler began working as a TV image editor in 1994. Later that year, he made the soundtrack for the
movie Parabolic People by Sandra Kogut. Also recognized for his work in editing music videos, Mekler has
been nominated several times for the “best editing” award in the VMB (Video Music Brazil), sponsored by
MTV Brazil, and won the category for four consecutive years (1995 to 1999). In 1997 he set up the feature film
A Ostra e o Vento (The Oyster and the Wind). In addition to working on musical programs, artistic videos, and
television specials, he edited the documentary Futebol (Football - 1998) and the short film Palace II (2001). He
is also one of the four friends that make up Chelpa Ferro.
JORGINHO DE CARVALHO, Lighting Designer
Jorginho de Carvalho has designed more than 200 plays, musicals, operas, exhibitions, dance, and music shows
over the past 36 years. He is one of the most requested Brazilian lighting designers, having received critical
acclaim for his work and won several theatre awards. He has worked with Cia de Dança Deborah Colker since
1995 and is also responsible for the lighting systems of many Brazilian theatres. He is also in demand as a
teacher at universities in Brazil and beyond.
YAMÊ REIS, Costume Designer
Yamê Reis has been with Companhia de Dança Deborah Colker since its very first show, Vocano. Reis has
worked with Deborah to establish their own unique design for costumes that reflect a contemporary image of
the company’s work. Reis has also worked as a fashion stylist for several Brazilian pop artists, theater directors,
and fashion brands. She now works as a stylist for a major upscale Brazilian women’s label.
FLAVIO COLKER, Direction Assistant, Photographer
Photographer of record covers, theater, fashion and advertising, Flavio Colker worked extensively with Brazil's
leading musicians and artists in the 1980s and 1990s. He also directed dozens of videos for Brazilian pop bands.
In 1994 he produced and directed his first fiction work for cinema and is currently finishing the script for a fulllength film and preparing a photography book. Flavio Colker has photographed all of Companhia de Dança
Deborah Colker’s shows since the Company was formed. As an artistic adviser to Deborah Colker, he was also
involved in the conception of her dance pieces.
DANCER BIOGRAPHIES
ALINE MACHADO Following graduation from the Proficient Dancers Course at the Centro de Dança Rio,
where she studied for 12 years, Aline dance with Companhia Jovem de Ballet from 2000-2005. In 2006 she
danced with DeAnima Ballet Contemporâneo and joined Cia de Dança Deborah Colker in 2007.
ARIATE COSTA studied ballet and contemporary dance at Escola do Teatro Bolshoi in Brazil. She joined
Companhia Jovem da Escola do Teatro Bolshoi in Brazil in 2010 and, in 2011, joined Cia de Dança Deborah
Colker.
BIANCA LOPES graduated from Escola Estadual de Danças Maria Olenewa in 2005. Was part of El Passo
Cia de Dança, DeAnima Ballet Contemporâneo, Cia de Dança São José dos Campos and Cia Jovem Petite
Danse before joining Cia de Dança Deborah Colker on June 2011.
BRUNO MIRANDA began his ballet studies at Escola do Teatro Bolshoi in Brazil in 2001 and graduated in
2008. He joined Companhia Jovem da Escola do Teatro Bolshoi in 2009 and in 2011 joined Cia de Dança
Deborah Colker.
CARLOS EDUARDO OLIVEIRA graduated from the Centro de Dança Rio in 2002. He was part of the
Companhia Jovem de Ballet do Rio from 2000 to 2003 before dancing with Companhia Brasileira de Ballet
from 2003 to 2006. He attended the New Zealand School of Dance in 2006 and, while there, performed with
Black Grace Dance Company in 2007. After dancing with Ballet da Cidade de Niterói from 2008 to 2010, he
joined Cia de Dança Deborah Colker.
CAROL PAGANO began her studies in 1980 in Belo Horizonte where she graduated with a degree in classical
ballet. She has worked with several choreographers in Brazil and abroad including Toshi Kobayashi, Pablo
Moret, Ofelia González, Laura Alonso, and Michael Birkmeyer. She has represented Brazil at international
dance competitions in Paris, New York, and Helsinki, and has had the chance to continue her studies in Cuba,
Russia, the United Stages, Austria, and Germany. She joined Cia de Dança Deborah Colker in 2006.
DIELSON PESSOA Born in Recife, his first contact with dance was through Brazilian popular dance,
followed by ballroom, ballet, and contemporary dance. At the age of 18 he joined Cia de Dança Deborah
Colker, where he performed for four years. In 2006 he joined Balé da Cidade de São Paulo, where he received
an APCA (São Paulo Association of Art Critics) award. Dielson returned to Cia de Dança Deborah Colker two
years later.
HARRISON GAVLAR Following his early studies in 1998 in Jundiaí, a countryside city in the state of São
Paulo, Harrison moved to the capital and graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance, under the guidance of
the dance master Adriana Soares. In 2006 he was part of Cisne Negro Companhia de Dança. He just recently
joined Cia de Dança Deborah Colker.
JAIME BERNARDES started his dance studies in 2000 at Centro de Dança Rio focusing on contemporary
damce, classical ballet, jazz, modern dance, and music history. He performed with Companhia Jovem de Ballet
and Cisne Negro Cia de Dança in São Paulo, before joining Cia de Dança Deborah Colker in 2006.
JOSÉ ANTONIO RAMOS Following graduation from the Cuban National Art School in Havana in 1993,
José joined the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, directed by Alicia Alonso, where he remained until moving to Brazil.
He then worked with the Sesi Minas Dance Company before joining Cia de Dança Deborah Colker in 2006.
LARISSA ROMANOWSKI began her ballet studies in Curitiba at the Academia Studio D1 and worked at the
Ballet Teatro Guaira from 1999 to 2005. She joined Cia. de Dança Deborah Colker in 2006.
LEONARDO OTÁROLA studied at Teatro Municipal de Punta Arenas, Chile, between 2003 and 2004 and
Teatro Colón in Argentina from 2005-2006. The next year, he joined Julio Bocca’s Cia Ballet Argentino and in
2008 was part of the Ballet Contempraneo del Teatro San Martín. Leonardo recently joined Cia de Dança
Deborah Colker.
LUCAS SARAIVA started his dance studies with Ivaldo Bertazzo in 2006 and after two years was invited to
join his Company. Following graduation in 2011 he joined Cia de Dança Deborah Colker.
LUIZ CREPALDI began his contemporary dance and classical ballet studies in 2005 at Studio Maria
Belarmino in Suzano, São Paulo. He performed with Raça Cia de Dança under the direction of Roseli
Rodrigues and Edy Wilson before joining Cia de Dança Deborah Colker in 2010.
REBECA FERREIRA began learning the Royal Academy of Dance method at Academia Narcisa at the age of
six. She began her studying contemporary dance and the Russian method in 1999. In 2004 she won a fellowship
for the Akademie des Tanzes Mannheim during the International Seminar of Brasília where she danced for one
year. She has performed with Cia Staatstheathers Karlsruhe, Ballet Ireland, Sopro Cia de Dança and Cisne
Negro Cia de Dança. Rebeca has recently joined Cia de Dança Deborah Colker.
RICARDO ALVES began his studies at TAP Factory Companhia Brasileira de Sapateado focusing on jazz,
tap, and contemporary. He performed with Companhia professional de São José dos Campos, São Paulo, and
Cisne Negro Cia de Dança before joining Cia de Dança Deborah Colker in November 2010.
SHEILA LOKIEC Born in Argentina, Sheila graduated from the Taller de Danza Comtemporanea del Teatro
San Martín in 2010. She performed with Modern Jazz Ballet and Ballet del Mercosur before joining Cia de
Dança Deborah Colker.
VICTÓRIA OGGIAM Born in São Paulo, Victória began her ballet studies aged four at Jazz Carlota Portella.
She moved to Estúdio de Ballet Cisne Negro where she graduated as a soloist through the Royal Academy of
Dance method. Victoria made her debut as a professional dancer aged 17 at Cisne Negro Cia de Dança,
travelling around Brazil, South America and Europe for four years. She joined Cia de Dança Deborah Colker in
2010 at age 20.