July 7, 2024

Puppetry in Dance Theatre | Duda Paiva

While most of us aspiring contemporary dancers will decide to undergo formal training under the foundations of Graham, Cunningham, Limon and various others, a small subset has diverted into the wondrous world of puppet theatre. One such performer, choreographer and now puppeteer is Duda Paiva. After a few more years thriving as an independent theatrical artist, he initiated the Duda Paiva Company in Amsterdam, Holland, in 2004.

Duda was educated as an actor, ballet and Butoh dancer in both Brazil and Japan. He moved to the Netherlands in 1996, where he worked as a professional contemporary dancer and choreographer. Curious and adept at researching multidisciplinary art forms, Paiva pushes the boundaries of visual theater and creates an exciting and unique idiom, blowing life into foam sculptures.

Kickstarting a brand new season and month of Dance Choreography, this episode explores the choreographic mystery behind creating for both humans as well as puppets, how to find constant harmony and what the future ultimately holds for this art form. Ready to discover the puppeteer within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background!

Soundtracks:

  1. Birds - Tyler Twombly 
  2. Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk
  3. 22 circus - Hasenchat
  4. Once in Paris - Pump up the mind

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Chapters

02:12 - Introduction

09:57 - Diversity is not only statistics

19:53 - Making my own dance partner ( with soft foam)

28:15 - Creativity versus entrepreneurship, how to draw the effective line

Duda Paiva Profile Photo

Duda Paiva

Choreographer / Artistic Director

Duda was educated as an actor, ballet and Butoh dancer in both Brazil and Japan. He moved to the Netherlands in 1996, where he worked as a professional contemporary dancer and choreographer. Curious and adept at researching multidisciplinary art forms, Paiva pushes the boundaries of visual theater and creates an exciting and unique idiom, blowing life into foam sculptures.

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