WORKSHOP: Billy Barry & Gianni Notarnicola - Movement and Emotions 11.-13.07.2024

In the organizer's words:

Movement and Emotions

11.-13.07.2024

The workshop is divided into improvisation exercises and the development of a selection of Billy and Gianni's works.

In the workshop we want to achieve a state of freedom in ourselves and others through instinctive and interactive tasks. During our improvisation session we will explore how we can be in the moment and how the present can inspire ideas and habits at the same time. Owning and acknowledging habits and using them as a starting point to find out more about ourselves and explore the evolution of ideas by adding to a story rather than constantly changing it. Through improvisation and choreographic material, we want to reach the understanding that there are no bad ideas, only better ideas. First idea, best idea. What moves us? What tickles us? The physicality of emotions? What does our body look like when we are excited, anxious, confident, embarrassed, exhausted, anticipating something or bored?

Billy Barry & Gianni Notarnicola (US/IT)

Billy Barry was born in New York in 1989. He trained at the Ailey School from 2003 to 2007 and performed with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2006. Billy continued his training and graduated from the Juilliard School in 2011. During his time at The Juilliard School, he performed with Gallim Dance and Keigwin + Co. He has been a member of the Batsheva Ensemble since 2011 and the Batsheva Dance Company since 2012. In 2022 he was appointed Associate Rehearsal Director of Batsheva Dance Company. As a choreographer, Billy has created several short works, both contemporary and commercial. In 2022 Billy and Gianni Notarnicola began producing together and developed their own movement language and style. The two have since premiered two duets (B.O.A.T.S and G.O.A.T.S) which have been shown at Varda Hall, Suzanne Dellal Hall, Tmuna Theatre and Habait Theatre. In 2023, Billy also choreographed solo pieces for himself and others, which were performed at CCA Tel Aviv-Yafo, Inbal Theatre and Juilliard School. Billy was also awarded the prestigious Yair Shapira Award for excellence in dance in 2019.

Gianni Notarnicola, born in 1996 in Monopoli, Italy, has already danced for the Avshalom Pollak Dance Theatre and joined the Batsheva Ensemble in 2019, where he performed works by Ohad Naharin, Noa Zuk, Nadav Zelner and Sharon Eyal. He later joined the Batsheva Dance Company in 2021 and premiered his first creation as a collaborator with Ohad Naharin, Ariel Cohen and the dancers of MOMO. From 2021 to 2024 he danced for Batsheva Dance Company and performed Ohad Naharin's works worldwide. In 2018, he debuted as a choreographer with his solo KAMA and later created the duet performance LA BATTAGLIA with cellist Eilon Damari. Gianni also collaborated with Billy Barry and premiered their duets B.O.A.T.S and G.O.A.T.S at the Tel Aviv Dance Festival in 2022 and 2023. In March 2024 he won the 2nd Prize for Choreography and the Final Public's Choice Award at the 28th Stuttgart International Solo Dance Theater Festival.

WORKSHOPS

In each individual workshop, you will work intensively with one of the artists over 3 days.

Each workshop is offered for two levels:
SOFT - slower tempo, for relaxed dancers or those with little previous experience
INTENSIVE - faster tempo, for motivated or with dance experience & professionals

10:00-12:30 Soft

13:30-16:00 Intensive

SUMMER ACADEMY

The TanzFaktur Summer Academy - Cologne's international festival for contemporary dance- takes place every year in mid-July. Thelarge-scale two-week festival is a platform for top-class national and international artists, projects and collectives.

In addition to the performances, workshops for professionals and dance enthusiasts offer opportunities for exchange between dance professionals and the audience.