In light of the “grand jeté” or otherwise the big split in the air, one of the most impressive and virtuosic steps in ballet’s artistry, Silvia Gribaudi’s current choreographic project explores endings as a source for new beginnings.

In GRAND JETÉ Silvia Gribaudi carries out choreographic research into the relationship between performer and audience, starting with the transmission of certain classical dance steps and their meaning.

Pliè, jeté, tour en l’air... words that are often linked to known steps but that can open up other, deeper imaginaries and that in GRAND JETÉ are experienced together with the performers. Silvia Gribaudi, as in the previous shows, develops a choreographic research by choosing to be on stage and dialoguing in the present time with both dancers and audience.

As an attempt to escape from gravity, a “grand jeté” is a transitioning step of a momentary suspension and a “throwing” of one’s self in the air. Exploring the metaphoric meaning of this virtuosic step in everyday life, GRAND JETÉ becomes an opportunity to challenge and revolt against the irreversibility of any end. How much effort does this take-off towards the unknown require and what kind of adventures a landing may bring? Considering this explosive leap, how do we confront failure and take-off anew? Are you ready to make your own ‘grand jeté’?

Silvia Gribaudi is an Italian choreographer who also specialises in  performing arts in general. 

Since 2004 she has focused her research on the social impact of  bodies, having set at the centre of her choreographic language  the comic element and the relationship between audience and  performers. 

Award-winner of the Premio Giovane Danza D’Autore with her  piece “A CORPO LIBERO”(2009), finalist at the Premio UBU for  best dance show and finalist at the Premio Rete Critica award with  R.OSA (2017), winner of the Premio CollaborAction#4 2018-2019, finalist at the Premio Rete Critica 2019, winner of the Premio DANZA&DANZA 2019 for best Italian production with the piece  

GRACES. 

She has taken part in several artistic research projects, including:  CHOREOROAM (2011), TRIPTYCH (2013), ACT YOUR AGE (2014) – an EU project about active ageing through the art of dance, which inspired the performance WHAT AGE ARE YOU ACTING?, as well as the community project OVER 60; PERFORMING GENDER (2015); CORPO LINKS CLUSTER (2019/2020), where the connection of dance, the mountains, and the mountain community gave life to the site specific project TREKKING COREOGRAFICO (choreographic trekking) and to the piece MONJOUR (2021), produced by Torinodanza Festival in collaboration with Teatro Stabile del Veneto and Brussels’s Les Halles de Schaerbeek. 

In 2021 she was a guest choreographer at “Danser Encore, 30 solos pour 30 danseurs”, a project for the Opéra de Lyon. 

Her shows have been featured in a number of national and international festivals and are the result of a creative process.

GRAND JETÉ  

by Silvia Gribaudi 

with Silvia Gribaudi and the MM Contemporary Dance Company: Emiliana Campo, Lorenzo Fiorito, Mario Genovese, Matilde Gherardi, Fabiana Lonardo, Alice Ruspaggiari, Nicola Stasi, Giuseppe Villarosa, Leonardo Zannella, Rossana Samele

Music: Matteo Franceschini 

Light design: Luca Serafini 

Styling: Ettore Lombardi 

Assistant choreographer: Paolo Lauri 

Movement coach: Andrea Costanzo Martini 

Dramaturgical consultant: Annette Van Zwoll 

Artistic collaboration: Matteo Maffesanti 

Technical advice: Leonardo Benetollo 

Creative producer: Mauro Danesi 

Produced by Associazione Culturale Zebra (IT) 

Co-produced by MM Contemporary Dance Company (IT), La Biennale de Lyon (FR), Théâtre de la Ville (FR), Rum för Dans (SE), BPDA - Big Pulse Dance Alliance: Torinodanza Festival (IT), International Dance Festival TANEC PRAHA (CZ), Zodiak - Side Step Festival (FI), National Theatre Brno within Theatre World Festival Brno (CZ)

Artistic residency Centro di Residenza Emilia-Romagna (L’Arboreto-Teatro Dimora | La Corte Ospitale) 

With the support of MiC – Ministero della Cultura, Italian Ministry of Cultural Affairs

GRAND JETÉ is a co-production of Big Pulse Dance Alliance, supported by the EU programme Creative Europe.