Michela Barasciutti
“Michela Barasciutti is a leading figure in the scene of the Venetian and Veneto Dance, where first as dancer and then as choreographer with her own group “Tocnadanza Company” she has been able to win and defend her space and viewpoint through her recognized work from the sensibility and the rigour….of Earth and Other…..that’s Lorca and Hikmet texts, while the scanning chosen by Barasciutti for her writing, is elusively poetic and deep down enlightened.
It’s just in the elegiac fit, in the tension and in the intimately lyric fusion with a pantheist hint, that the choreographer-dancer finds and offers the best of her.
A unified squad of interpreters…..follow her through this dreamy voyage.
Whose seal is a clear look into the nebulous human condition, drolerie with a infantile hint and a goodbye to arms of conflict, of invasion of others on your part.”
(Ermanno Romanelli – Danza&Danza – May 2008).
“Special is Barasciutti’s vitality that here reveals fully the maturity attained in her dance. Beautiful and intense she appears on the stage, able to express feelings and existential worries through a fascinating gesture algebra…..And then the fascinating and imperious dance recaptured our attention and in silent oasis entirely showed Barasciutti’s artistic word whose talent is universally recognized and assures the collaboration with Show Corporations and prestigious National Theatres where, as a dancer and then as a choreographer, she shows off a language that is able to join a technical – style performance with a sensible reading of contemporary reality.”
(Paola Bruna – Il Gazzettino – 6th December 2007)
“SUCCESS OF THE TOCNADANZA COMPANY SHOW WITH MICHELA BARASCIUTTI IN GOLDONI THEATRE”.
“….One regret can be expressed at the end of Michela Barasciutti’s Dance Show……that of being only one performance….. Barasciutti as choreographer rich in deep ideas ….into the deep developments of this immense choreographer named Michela Barasciutti.”
(Piero Zanotto – Il Gazzettino – 6th December 2007)
“Michela Barasciutti shows that the Italian artists aren’t subordinate to successful foreigners, proposing with her TocnaDanza Company two of her own choreographies (co-product with La Biennale di Venezia). What characterizes the main Venetian artist is the thinking writing which flows from a particular logos, visceral.
The Barasciutti dance comes from the heart and in this case sensibility is joined with intelligence and creativity that are not banal.”
(Paola Bruna – Il Gazzettino – 31st July 2005)
“Abano Danza Festival offers one of the best Italian Contemporary Dance Shows of the last season.”
(Roberto Lamantea – Danza&Danza – December 2002)
“Michela Barasciutti has had all stages of an authentic first dancer with the potentiality of ‘etoile’, with the difference that her technical isn’t a means of pure exhibition than a way to reach a creative expression.”
(Alberto Testa – La Repubblica – 11th February 2001)
“Michela Barasciutti is loved by the Italian audience and considered by the press as the best and most original Italian choreographer”.
(Il Giornale – 10th February 2001)
Michela Barasciutti
Michela Barasciutti, dancer and choreographer, was born in Venice, she studied ballet and contemporary dance at the Luciana De Fanti’s School in Venice.
She stands high by Italian specialize press favour and she won the approval by some of the most important critics as Vittoria Ottolenghi (RAI), Alberto Testa (La Repubblica), Luigi Rossi (La Stampa), Tino Dalla Valle (Il Resto del Carlino), Carmela Piccione (Il Tempo) ….
She is a member of the founders of the ARCOdanza Association that assembled Veneto’s Professional Dance Companies.
She is art director of the dance shows “Danza Aperto” (Arena Candiani) in Mestre, “Percorsi d’Autore – rassegna di nuovi autori” and in dance section “Teatro in Campo” (Campo Pisani) in Venice.
Dancer
Youth, she starts to study with “The Body and the Mind” Company directed by Luciana De Fanti taking part in all the shows as soloist and first ballet dancer (“Tripodia”, “Soli”, “Meditazioni Coreografiche”, “Kleist”) and as choreographic assistant (“Capriccio à la Nuit”,”Tuballica”and “Proiezioni in…frammenti”).
She takes part in the national festivals (Comacchio, Tagliacozzo, Vignale,…) recognizing a personal success by the press.
For two years she takes part in the Ballet Company “L’Ensemble” directed by Misha Van Hoecke, in the following creations “Doucha”, “Dernière Danse”and “Aquilon”, and in various projects (RAI television broadcast, television advertising).She goes on tour in Europe and in Asia with the Company.
She takes part in several television broadcasts (RAI 1, RAI 2, NBC).As soloist dancer she participates to the Comacchio Festival “Ballo è Bello” with Vittoria Ottolenghi.
She often works in many Italian theatres particularly in “Gran Teatro La Fenice” of Venice with the art direction of choreographers and directors like A.Amodio, G.Cauley, G.Borni, Pier’Allì, S.Bussotti, Bolognini, De Ana, Loiodice , ecc.
She plays the First Dancer’s role in the lyric bodies of the “Gran Teatro La Fenice” and of the “Teatro Carlo Felice” of Genova with Vladimir Derevianko.
In the Autumn-Winter 2000 she takes part, as guest dancer, at the show “Stabat Mater” by “Fabula Saltica Company” of Rovigo with the Bob Cohan’s choreography.
Choreographer
In December 1991, she won the First Prize at the Chiavari’s International Competition with her own choreography (Born-Never Asked).
In the same year, in summer, she founds her own group “Tocnadanza Company” and she created the choreographies of the show “Nuances” performed in Veneto and in Tuscan.
In May 1994 one of her choreography picked out to participate to the “Bottega Coreografica” in Grassina and to the International Dance Exhibition” in Castiglioncello.
In the same month she realizes a video “Kafka Project” by Silvano Rubino.
In October 1994, on the occasion of the “Giovanni Pico Mirandola Studies Congress” in Mirandola, (under the aegis of the State), Michela Barasciutti presents the show “Strix” with her own choreographies and where she plays the first dancer’s role.
In October 1995 she’s invited, as dancer and as choreographer, to the second edition of “Astor Piazzola International Prize” in Castelfidardo where she pre-releases the ballet “Balada para un loco”, by Astor Piazzola’s original music.
In Autumn 1996 she realizes as dancer and as choreographer, with Corrado Canulli, a multi-media show “Simboli opposti Miti” that it was pre-released in the “Teatro Miela” of Trieste.
In summer 1997 she’s the Guest at the dance show “Cartello Danza” in the Summer Festival “Al Fresco Festival” in Mestre, where she presents the show “I vicoli dell’anima”.
In October 1997 at the dance show “Nuvole” directed by Arteven, she presents “L’Ultima Farfalla”, a dance – poetry – music show where the live musicians and an actor were on the stage.
In November – December 1997 with Corrado Canulli by “Arteffetto Company “ and in collaboration with Friuli Venezia Giulia she presents “Memorie Aggredite” a show with the scenography created by Mateo Eiletz, an Argentinian architect. It’s presented at the “Teatro Miela” of Trieste, in Slovenia, at the dance show “Vetrina Danza” in Rovigo, at the dance show “Cartello Danza” in Mestre and at the dance show “Teatro in Campo” in Venice.
In Autumn 1999 she creates the show “I Vicoli dell’Anima” (Barrios del Alma) perfecting the study already presented in 1997. In the theatre-season 2000 – 2001, it was presented on the stages successfully.
In December 1999 she’s art assistant of the Robert North Choreographer in the show “ Pictures” for “Fabula Saltica Company” in Rovigo (a Teatro Sociale Rovigo Production).
In autumn 2002 she creates “Voci” that’s a co-production with Abano Danza International Festival and La Biennale di Venezia.
In 2004 she presents her new production: “Il volo interrotto” with the music of Schubert (The dead and the maiden) and “Sym-Ballein” created on original music by S.M.Ricatti and performed live by the “Ricatti Ensemble”.
In 2005 she realizes the following productions: “Lighting Cue Number” (with the support of La Biennale di Venezia in co-production with International Dance Shows of Turin “Il Gesto e l’Anima 2005-2006” (27th edition) and the Comune di Venezia) and “Satna”.
In 2007 Michela Barasciutti produces the show “ di Terra e di Altro” with her own choreographies (in co-production with “Vignale Danza 2007” Festival and the Città di Venezia – Assesorato alle Produzioni Culturali).
The Tocnadanza Company is incorporated by the Comune di Venezia, the Regione del Veneto, the Provincia di Venezia and the Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali.
Teacher
She was often invited to teach the dancing classes and to teach ballet (technical Academy) and contemporary dance (technical and choreographic laboratory) courses.
From 1997 to 2003 she teaches contemporary dance at the Specialization Courses for Dancers of Rovigo, for the Regione del Veneto, with other known choreographers as Mauro Bigonzetti, Robert North, Margarita Trayanova, Massimo Morricone…
She develops a choreographic research that it will complete with the production of the ballet ”Il viaggio dell’Altro” with the original music composed by Stefano Maria Ricatti, presented at the “Teatro Sociale” of Rovigo.
In 2000, for the Regione del Veneto, she’s Teaching Methodology Director at the Specialization Courses for Dancers organized by Arteven in Mestre.
On June 2007 she’s asked for as “maitre de ballet” by the Phoenix Dance Theatre of London, visiting company of La Biennale di Venezia