Blind
“Blind is a sophisticated, imaginative, rich and penetrating piece.”
– The Australian, Melbourne
Concept & Choreography by Duda Paiva & Nancy Black
Directed by Nancy Black
In this new solo work, renowned dancer/puppeteer Duda Paiva draws on his childhood, during which he suffered an illness that blistered his body and left him temporarily blind. His surreal path to healing involved both shamanic and western medicine. Blind transforms this experience into a metaphor about disability, rejection and resolution. Often interacting with the audience, it is funny as well as moving. It finds the political through intimacy, woven into a rich theatrical tapestry of dance, puppetry, adaptations of Yoruba songs from a unique Afro-Brazilian subculture, and driving forces of sound and light.
“I found pain in the light, and beauty in darkness.”
Originally co-produced by Duda Paiva Company [NL], Black Hole Theatre [AUS], Nordland Visual Theatre [NO], Festival Mondial des Théâtres de Marionnettes [FR], The project was made possible through financial support from the Performing Arts Fund NL.
The 8th La MaMa Puppet Festival Fall 2018 has been made possible with support from Ford Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, The Jim Henson Foundation, Puppet Slam Network, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust and public support by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and New York State Cultural on the Arts. Additional support from Cheryl Henson is gratefully acknowledged.
CREATIVE TEAM
Concept by Duda Paiva & Nancy Black
Directed by Nancy Black
Choreography and Puppets by Duda Paiva
Composition by Wilco Alkema
Lighting by Mark Verhoef
Dramaturgical Advice by Nienke Rooijakkers
Costumes in Decor by Machtelt Halewijn
Costumes for Performers by Atty Kingma
Decor by Daniel Patijn
Performer | Ilija Surla, Duda Paiva
Puppets | Evandro Serodio, Duda Paiva
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Duda Paiva Company and Black Hole Theater create physical and visual performances at the crossroads of dance, puppetry and multimedia. With his dance partners, carved from flexible foam, Duda Paiva creates unique, elusive, magical, sometimes painful worlds, always touched by a sense of humor. They present productons in theatres, at festivals, inside or outside, all over the world for audiences of all ages.
Find out more on their websites:
www.dudapaiva.com
www.blackholetheatre.com.au
La MaMa Puppet Festival
The La MaMa Puppet Festival showcases new contemporary puppet theatre by artists from around the world. Curated by Denise Greber, focusing on diversifying the voices, stories, and perspectives shared onstage, with the goal of uplifting marginalized identities within the puppet community.
“Paiva dances alone and with his puppets, and he dances to let his puppets live…It’s as delightful as it is heartbreaking, and too beautiful to define.”
– The Age, Melbourne
“Blind is a work about healing on a deep shamanistic level that allows one to tap into the inner child’s sense of curiosity and, leaves one feeling elevated and joyful.”
– Stage Whispers