Fantasy, imagination and magic. These are the essential elements of Aracaladanza, a contemporary dance company known for their serious stagecraft, demanding, uncompromising and high quality. His career; his aesthetic, artistic and technical discipline as well as his national and international projection (reputation) have been recognized (honored) with the National Youth and Children’s Theater Award 2010, given by the Spanish Ministry of Culture. The pioneering work performed in Spain by the company directed by Enrique Cabrera has become a national and international reference for contemporary Spanish dance. The UK has shown particular interest in developing the promising talent of Aracaladanza over the last 15 years of their existence (by supporting new works, fostering professional and artistic development, promoting new audiences; independent creation, craft and precision; developing artist teams). In fact, Aracaladanza collaborates closely with British dance agencies like DanceEast, DancexChange as well as with the University of Nottingham and their Lakeside Arts Centre.
In Spain, their work has gained both critical and public acclaim. Their productions have won a number of important awards such as the Villa de Madrid Best Choreography for their 2005 show ¡Nada…Nada! not to mention the many prizes they’ve received over the years from FETEN: Best Dance Show, Best Soundtrack and Best Lighting Design (1999) for Ana and the Rainbow; Best Costume Design (2001) for Maletas (Suitcases); Best Show (2003) for Visto y no Visto (Sight Unseen); Best Costume Design and Performance (2005) for ¡Nada…Nada, Best Show and Best Original Music (2007) for Pequeños Paraísos (Little Paradises) and Best Show (2010) por Nubes (Clouds).
Aracaladanza, was the first Spanish dance company and the first dedicated to young audiences and families to win three MAX awards in the same year.
This milestone was achieved in 2008 with Pequeños Paraísos (Little Paradises). It won Best Young Audience Show; Best Costume Design and Best Scenery. The recognition that is most important to Aracaladanza is the privilege to fascinate audiences essential to the present and future of Spanish dance. In fact, they have, over their long history with: 3 short pieces; 10 mid-sized productions; 4 street shows or
other unconventional venues; 1 show for babies; and 7 national or international choreography commissions.
In the last four years the company has raised the curtain more than 600 times; performed in international festivals in Africa, Europe and Asia; maintained close collaborations with Argentinean theatre and puppet companies; set foot on stages in Germany, Holland, France, Hong Kong, Morocco, the UK and Taiwan. They also premiered a version of Nubes (Clouds) on the most prestigious stage in the dance word: Saddler’s Wells Theatre in London.
With the premier of Pequeños Paraísos (Little Paradises), at the end of 2006, Aracaladanza unveiled an ambitious project: A trilogy based on the paintings of master painters: Bosco, René Magritte, and Joan Miró. Nubes (Clouds), a show based in the surreal world of Belgian painter René Magritte, was also a challenge, its Madrid production was encouraged by such influential European theatrical institutions like Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London and the British agency dance DanceEast. The Mercat de les Flor de Barcelona and the Audtorio de Tenerife enthusiastically signed on to the initial project. Support was provided in the later stages by: Teatro de la Abadía de Madrid; el Teatro
Auditorio Ciudad de Alcobendas; la Diputación de Albacete and the Jerwood Foundation, of the UK.
And all this would not have been possible without the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Madrid, organizations that have provided uninterrupted financial support over the past 15 years.
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