Acrobatics for dancers
using arms and hands, as if they are legs and feet

In this workshop we will explore the possibilities of acrobatics in contemporary dance.
We will develop and familiarise with the use of our hands and arms in the same way as we - as dancers - use our feet and legs. We will investigate inverted supports, acrobatic jumps using other dancers to fall and rise, to perform acrobatics without a mat on the floor and to search for a confort while being upside down.
We will strenghen our shoulders and wrists, which is essencial for acrobatics, learn about the use of alternative abdominal muscle groups as well as practise stretches and exercices to prevent injuries.




Alain Platel composition
Creating dance-performance material

In this workshop we will explore and experience different techniques of improvisation and composition in dance, inspired by Juliana’s work with the director Alain Platel and Les Ballets C. de la B.
The classes will begin with various and versatile ways to warm up the body, followed by guided
improvisations to open possibilities to create dance and performance material.




Juliana Neves
Juliana was trained in Gymnastics, Ballet and later on in Circus Arts. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. In São Paulo, she was one of the founders and performers of the company Cenica Nau de Icaros, winning several prizes in their Circus-Theatre productions. In 1997, she was chosen to represent Brazil at the American Dance Festival in the International Choreographers Residency Program, where she studied with David Dorfman, Lisa Race and David Zambrano and also performed with Choreographer Maria Rovira. Back home in 1998, Juliana joined Quasar Companhia de Danca of Henrique Rodovalho, which she left to join Cirque du Soleil as one of the principal characters of their production "Dralion". She originated her part and performed 1001 shows over 3 years. Juliana created the aerial pas–de-deux act on silks together with aerial coach Andre Simard. This act and her solo act, also on silks, were between the highlights of "Dralion" and acclaimed by the critics.

Coming to Europe in 2002, she worked with Philippe Decouflé, and later joined Les Ballets C. de la B. Since then, she has been working and touring with director Alain Platel. She was a dancer and aerial acrobat in "Wolf" (2003) and "pitié!" (2008). She co-directed the project "Gamma" with Alain Platel in 2004 and assisted him in "vsprs "(2006) during the two year long tour.

Juliana has performed her solo act and taught workshops in many countries, such as: China, Italy, Holland, Belgium, USA, Brazil. She is a guest teacher at Circus Juventas/USA, Nau de Icaros, Linhas Aereas/Brazil and ESAC in Brussels.