In 1996, a unique dance company was established in Barcelona with the aim of turning a selection of the best contemporary dance students from around the world into first class professionals. The person responsible for this extraordinary challenge was Catherine Allard, protégé of the late, eccentric, Maurice Béjart, and right hand of the king of contemporary Spanish dance master, Nacho Duato.
IT DANSA forms part of the prestigious Institut del Teatre in Barcelona. It is a stepping stone, offering a two year Masters which enables the young artists to continue their formation while, bit by bit, getting used to the rigours of the life of a professional dancer.
We go behind the scenes at the company as it celebrates its 10th anniversary with a gala performance in the famous Mercat de les Flors theatre and Catherine Allard gave a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to one of the company’s first ever graduates; the chance to debut her first choreography in the gala.
For Nora Sitges-Sardà it will not be an easy process. While the dancers struggle with injuries, exhaustion and the stress of auditions, Nora has to learn how to inspire them, how to control the rehearsals, supervise the creation of the wardrobe, music and lighting, how to please her mentor, Catherine Allard, and above all, how to deal with the pressure of sharing a stage with stars such as Nacho Duato and Rafael Bonachela.
The student becomes the teacher…
Protagonists: IT DANSA dance company, Barcelona Catherine Allard, Artistic Director of IT DANSA Nora Sitges- Sardà, dancer and novice choreographer With: Rafael Bonachela, choreographer and director of Bonachela Dance Company (London) and Artist in Residence At the Southbank. María del Mar Bonet, legendary folk singer-songwriter Nacho Duato, choreographer and Artistic Director of The National Dance Company, Spain. Jordi Font, Director of the Theatre Institute, Barcelona