In 1988 the choreographer Laura Corradi founded in Verona ErsiliaDanza, a contemporary dance company of which she has always been the artistic director. Her productions are hosted and co-produced by the major Italian theaters and dance festivals and since 1997 she has carried out her activity with the continuous support of Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities (Mibac), of the Veneto Region, of the Province and of the Municipality of Verona. Over the years Laura Corradi has created more than 40 productions among which Callas and other extraordinary voicescreated especially for L’estate Teatrale Veronese in 2019.
This year, in addition to taking his choreographies away to Italy and Europe, he also makes some stops in Verona. The first is al Polo Santa Marta Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th June within the Veronetta Contemporanea Festival, starting this afternoon until June 15th. The second is the third edition of Forte Gisella in Danceorganized with ErsiliaDanza within the “Intrecci” section of the Veronese Summer Theatre.
Corradi yes formed in Paris with the greatest exponents of French avant-garde choreography of the nineties such as Jean Gaudin, Bruno Dizien, Viviane Serry, partner of Andy De Groat, and above all with Carolyn Carlson. After several experiences as a dancer in some companies, she had the honor of attending the dance university as a guest professional Folkwang Hochschule Essen Werden in Germany under the artistic direction of Pina Bausch.
There he perfected his preparation, experimented with dance theater and closely followed the work of Wuppertal company. At the same university you inaugurated your first choreographic experiences, submitting them to the judgment of Malou Airaudo, historic interpreter of Pina Bausch, and Susanne Linke. Today the Veronese choreographer tells us about upcoming Scala events and how it has changed over time contemporary dance.
Ersiliadanza brings the show to the stage today at 10.15pm at the Polo Santa Marta Chameleons at the Veronetta Contemporanea Festival. What is it about?
«It is a 2023 production that we are taking around Italy and Europe and deals with the theme of change. I wondered how much strength it takes to do this. Sometimes it is difficult to be versatile, that is, to put aside goals that we have always had and which perhaps are no longer right for us or which can be achieved by taking longer and different paths from those we had considered. To change you need to research and experiment, but also make mistakes and accept failure. With Chameleons we will express all this thanks to the performance of the professional dancers Tommaso Cera, Alberto Munarin, Gessica Perusi and Midori Watanabe, who was also my assistant in the choreography, and with the lights and staging by Alberta Finocchiaro. The next day, Wednesday 5 June at 6pm, again in Santa Marta, I will talk with Nicola Pasqualicchio, teacher of Entertainment Disciplines, on the new trends in Italian dance and on the courage to dance and change starting from the festival Strong Gisella in Dance to be held on June 28, 29 and 30 And on 5, 6 and 7 July always in Verona.”
What are the characteristics of Forte Gisella in Danza compared to other events in the sector?
«Our Festival has now reached its third edition and we try to create moments in which there is a direct relationship between audience and dancers. Starting from 7.30 pm the evenings begin with a traveling performance itinerary site specific, or in various points inside Fort Gisella or outside in contact with nature. Unconventional contexts in which the dancers dance and adapt the choreography to the location. After their performance there is the opportunity for spectators to meet and chat with those who have danced, better understanding the choreography and all the work behind it. And you can do it at a refreshment point in front of an aperitif or by consuming something at the Berber Food Truck. At 9.30pm the public can then sit in the stalls to watch other performances on the central stage. Thanks to the Festival we will bring the best of contemporary dance to Verona. In fact, 15 prestigious companies from different parts of Italy and beyond will be our guests Compagnie Irene-K from Eupen in Belgium. The program will be released soon. In the meantime, we are looking for around ten volunteers available to lend us a hand during the Festival evenings.”
Also thanks to Forte Gisella in Danza, how has the contemporary dance audience changed?
«He’s definitely doing growing up. In Italy we have a strong academic tradition, but things are changing little by little contemporary dance is starting to be recognized. Even in Verona there is a group of enthusiasts, of spectators who seek the experimentation and a representation of contemporaneity. Forte Gisella in Danza is an event that helps people to learn more about contemporary dance, to understand what it is about. We try to break the barrier between audience and stage, giving spectators the opportunity to get to know dancers and choreographers and those who more generally work in the world of dance, trying to make it clear that this too is a job in all respects. This type of meeting is greatly appreciated by those who attend our Festival or discover us for the first time.”
And how has contemporary dance changed?
«The relationship with the public has become increasingly important and even in the context of contemporary dance many propose the social dance, that is, they invite spectators to dance, to become part of a performance. Here too we are experiencing a change and people feel more involved and want to be the protagonists of a performance too. More generally in the world of dance, I have noticed that the pandemic has helped us create some networks between us dancers. Once upon a time everyone was more closed in a bubble than him, while now we all know each other. I think it’s a positive aspect to discuss and also to create projects together.”
In light of your forty productions, how has your creative process changed over the years and also your way of interpreting contemporary dance?
«Honestly I’m still looking for the right way to create, because it’s never the same. There is no method. At the beginning I thought it existed and there are many colleagues who arrive in the room with very clear ideas and see the show and language already written. However, working in this way risks not opening up to other possibilities. I like to leave some life to the evolution of the show and I also collect any interventions and proposals from the professional dancers I work with, as I always try to sew the choreography on those who dance. In fact, my work is based on the professionals in front of me, which is why replacing them in my productions is very difficult. I try to exaggerate and exaggerate the characteristics of the dancers who in my shows are also a bit of actors. In my productions I try to pass the public from one emotion to another, experiencing the emotional changeaccompanying him in this process without abandoning him to himself.”
What projects await Elisirdanza in the near future?
«We will continue to transport it around Italy and Europe Chameleons and some other productions, including a new one entitled Stronger than me. Before Forte Gisella in Danza there are seven stages scheduled. We will be in Germany in Saxony-Anhalt in the cities of Halberstadt, Quedlinburg, Brenburg. We will return to Verona on June 22nd, at the Cloister of Santa Eufemia. Then we have Udine planned and later we will also visit the company in Belgium that we will host this month at Forte Gisella. It definitely will a summer in motion».
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