Picture a metallic cube, packed with hidden spaces. Imagine dancers, acrobats, gymnasts, and actors turning that cube into a pyramid, then three pyramids, then a wall, three walls, a bridge, and a labyrinth, all the while leaping from peak to peak, rolling down the sides and twirling and flying across this surreal landscape, exploring the human condition through movement. Led by choreographer Jacques Heim, who created Cirque de Soleil’s Ka, Diavolo is called “a modern dance company” but you might as easily call an Aston Martin “a compact car”; Diavolo redefines dance through dynamic movement, creative expression, the inventive use of sets and props, and the music of Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
January 21–23, 2009 Details TBA
Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS)
$25 registration fee
Gymnasts, martial arts practitioners, and other athletic bodies are invited to challenge their physical and emotional limits. Diavolo’s approach combines athleticism with conditioning exercises that address body toning, injury prevention, partner stretching, and relaxation exercises. Open to high school students and older.
Available January 21–22, 2009
$35 registration fee
Diavolo offer a movement-oriented professional development workshop geared to help the teacher take dance and kinesthetic learning into the classroom, bridging the gap between the arts and other school subjects. A professional development workshop, in conjunction with a school performance or an in-school workshop, can be a valuable aid to the teacher in understanding the upcoming performance. Handouts to help take dance and kinesthetic learning into the classroom will also be available.
January 21–23, 2009 Details TBA
Portland Ballet Company
$25 registration fee
Rooted in Diavolo’s unique approach to dancemaking – which emphasizes flying and falling, safe catching, and partnering – this rigorous class introduces participants to the Diavolo technique. Open to dance instructors or pre-professional dancers.
Available January 21–22, 2009
$350 fee for hosting organization
Founded upon the principles of trust, teamwork, and collaboration using basic trust theater game exercises, this workshop takes dance off of the stage and into the classroom. By class end, children will work together to create a simple choreograph piece. As Diavolo Artistic Director Jacques Heim says, “building a team that allows for complete trust has been essential to creating a kind of work where dancers are inspired to leap, fly, and fall.” Discover the same magic in your classroom through this workshop. Depending on artists’ schedule, as many as three in-school workshops with Diavolo will be available.
Friday, January 23, 2009 10:30 am
Merrill Auditorium, Portland, Maine
All tickets $7
Open to grades 2–8: call 207.773.3150 for details
Led by choreographer Jacques Heim of Cirque de Soleil, Diavolo redefines dance through dynamic movement, creative expression, the inventive use of sets and props, and innovative musical selections. Beyond its spectacular movement, Diavolo uses the kinesthetic power of dance to explore the sciences of the body and physics along with principles of trust, teamwork, and individual expression. Connects to Maine Learning Results in Dance; Science (The Physical Setting – Force and Motion d4) Pre-K–2, 3–5, 9–diploma; and Cross-Content Connections in Health and Physical Education with Math, Science, and Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). A study guide and interactive resources will be available on our website and at iTunes University K-12, coming soon to Maine.
“A straightforward playfulness with props and physicality that elicits cheers from the audience.” New York Times
