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mavericks

 

running from the 12th of may to the 3rd of august 2025

© Mats Bäcker

olivia ancona

 

program

track a track b

 

title

improvisation

 

focus

improvisation mixed ideas

 

description

What makes us human through movement? We will move, listen, and research from this place. We will dance to learn what the body is capable of and appreciate how that can make us feel - new, empowered, and alive. Every class will include a spectrum of movement through continually guided images and exercises. We will also take time to step out of our flow and zoom in on particular ideas, observe others, and engage in dialogue. Olivia offers space for movers to dive deeper into their ability to juggle multiple physical, sensorial, and creative tasks. She encourages participants to listen to their ingrained movement habits, while inviting new approaches. By exploring the source of our movements, we will practice our individuality while connecting to others. Each session is part of an ongoing research, curated for the context, and with sensitivity for the participants in the room.

Olivia Ancona is an international, multi-disciplinary dance artist, who collaborates with independent choreographers and artists on creating new works. Currently based in Berlin, she is originally from the west coast of the United States. Olivia trained at the Juilliard School and, upon leaving, joined the Batsheva ensemble, and later the main company in Tel Aviv, under the direction of Ohad Naharin. She was a founding member of Sharon Eyal’s L-E-V, and has worked with Mats Ek, Wim Vandekeybus, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Sasha Waltz, Bryan Arias, and Oona Doherty, among others. She was a guest with the Royal Swedish Ballet, Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, Goteborg Danksompani, Staatsballet Berlin, and Alan Lucien Øyen’s dance theatre hybrid, Winter Guests. Olivia has taught gaga, improvisation, and research/repertoire workshops for over forty institutions internationally. She also sets Sharon Eyal’s works on companies throughout Europe. Olivia is invested in ongoing research to help dancers and people exist more fully in their physical and creative selves. She is also passionate about supporting young dancers in their professional journey through mentorship relationships and programs, such as DANSII and Voice in Sport.