JARANA / AM I WHAT?
JARANA, Cia Laia Santanach
JARANA investigates traditional collective practices that have disappeared or are on the verge of disappearing. A piece that invites reflection on the preservation of traditional group celebrations, concluding a cycle of three projects by the Laia Santanach company, in which the human need for connection and belonging in an increasingly changing and technological world has been observed.
Laia Santanach is a choreographer, dancer, and educator from Barcelona, recognised both nationally and internationally. She currently directs her own dance company, with which she has been exploring tradition and ritual since 2018. JARANA (premiered at Teatros del Canal and Mercat de les Flors) is the final part of a trilogy to be presented at Dansa Metropolitana 2025, which began with ÀER and continued with TRADERE.
Information sheet JARANA
Creator and director: Laia Santanach - Creation / Musical Direction: Carlos Martorell - Performed by: Mario G. Sáez, Anna Hierro, Carlos Martorell, Julia Sanz and Laia Santanach - External perspective: Isaac Montllor - Audiovisual: Ignasi Castañé - Costume design: Mariona Signes - Photography: Jofre Moreno - Artistic collaboration: Ignasi Castañé - Management: Caroline Giffard - Production/Support: Lasanta - Co-produced by: Teatros del Canal, Mercat de les Flors and Pimoff Milano - Acknowledgements: Fira Mediterrània de Manresa, Auditori de Llinars, Generalitat de Catalunya, Teatre Nu, CCCanal-Madrid, Goethe Institut, L’animal a l’esquena, Convent de les Arts-Alcover, Aula de Mataró, Institut Ramon Llull, La Torreta-Montmeló and Auditori Sant Cugat.
AM I WHAT?, Elvi Balboa
AM I WHAT? explores the desire to be seen and the consumption of bodies in a competitive world. The piece addresses how people move, desire, and compete for attention in a society that threatens to devour individuality. Amidst the sweat and movement of the crowd, egos emerge. This choreography is a celebration of human uniqueness and a reflection on the dynamics between the individual and the collective.
Elvi Balboa creates artistic proposals for unique public spaces, exploring their spatial, historical, and poetic dimensions. Trained as a dancer and choreographer at the Institut del Teatre, Balboa has collaborated with companies such as Ex-Nihilo and has developed her own language in personal projects. Her first piece as a director, AM I WHAT?, was nominated for Best Street Performance at the Pad Awards. Her latest piece, ANÖA, co-produced by the Centro Coreográfico Galego, will be presented in Barcelona in a site-specific performance at the Sala Apolo.
Information sheet AM I WHAT?
Written, directed and costumes by: Elvi Balboa - Performed by: Marina Capel, Joan Aguilà, Manuel Monrò, Paula Serrano, Lucía Bocanegra, Berta Pascual and Carla Moll - Photography Ioar Labat
