Italian Choreographer Caterina Rago to Premiere LABIR INTO at New York Live Arts

Acclaimed Italian choreographer Caterina Rago will return to New York this fall with her company of eight female dancers in her new full-evening work, "Labir Into," October 6 though October 8 at New York Live Arts. Caterina Rago is the only female choreographer from Italy running a modern Dance Company in NYC.

"Labir Into," named after "labirinto," Italian for "labyrinth," will investigate the challenge of finding your most authentic self, the center of your own personal labyrinth. Dancers oscillate between the dark and the ethereal, a contrast of broad sweeping gestures and controlled staccato movements-bobbing, swirling, weaving, coiling and uncoiling, boldly traveling across the space only to retreat again-interspersed with striking moments of introspective stillness. Dancers manifest their own internal explorations; a visceral narrative of self and searching will emerge. Video.

"Labir Into" will feature set design by celebrated set and costume designer Pier Paolo Bisleri, also from Italy, who has created a descending stage labyrinth exclusively for this production.

Caterina Rago Dance Company pushes emotional boundaries and explores the vulnerability found in movement. Dancers search for self-awareness by tapping into their innate potentiality and sharing their divine spark. Inspired by Italy, the land of contrast, Caterina Rago creates an intense and unique painting. Her choreography inspires a new generation to self-awareness and authenticity, by surrendering the body to powerful emotion.

"As an artist, my work is full of raw physicality and feeling. I seek to embody human emotions in movement. Dance creates a sense of vulnerability, allowing performers to offer and viewers to receive. I want to bring self-awareness and push boundaries, depicting messages of love, hope and courage through my choreography. By allowing this sense of openness in my choreographic process, I am able to create a sense of communication with audiences by celebrating life onstage.

"Although language barriers may exist between nations, the power of emotion and movement are universal. I seek to express and cultivate my Italian heritage in the US, portraying these universal experiences through my work." - Caterina Rago

Company Dancers: Sarita Apel, Giulia D'Antoni, Raphaëlle Kessedjian, Andrea Murillo, Caterina Rago, Jaclyn Rea, Natalia Roberts and Lissa Smith. Bios.

Karen Young, Costume designer
Nick Hung, Lighting Designer
Production manager Anne Posluszny

Caterina Rago Dance Company performances are part of New York Live Arts "Live Arts PLUS" program, which is designed to support dance and theater companies, as well as producing and non-profit organizations. For more visit www.newyorklivearts.org.

CATERINA RAGO Dance Company
NEW YORK LIVE ARTS - All performances at 7:30pm - "LABIR INTO"
Thursday, October 6
Friday, October 7
Saturday, October 8

BUY TICKETS - coming soon.
New York Live Arts
219 W 19th Street
New York, NY 10011
Tel: 212.691.6500

ABOUT CATERINA RAGO - Originally from Italy, Caterina Rago obtained her B.F.A. from l'Accademia Nazionale di Danza in Rome. While there, she was a company member of Danzare La Vita under direction of Elsa Piperno with choreographer Joseph Fontano, President of the International Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute of UNESCO; and an aerial dancer in Kitonb Extreme Theatre Company directed by Angelo Bonello. In 2006, Rago was chosen to perform Ivan Manzoni's "Simbolo Della Pace" at the Inaugural Ceremony of the XX Winter Olympic Games in Torino. After moving to New York she completed the Professional Training Program at Martha Graham Center and was invited to present her work, "Eternal Return", at the 2008 Graham II New York Season.... Rago also teaches Graham Technique at Dance Theatre of Harlem and Peridance Capezio Center. She continues to be a guest teacher of numerous dance centers in Italy and New York City. Read more...

"I go to the source of the movement, capturing its essence - we need to talk with our soul and with our art." - Caterina Rago.

ABOUT PIER PAOLO BISLERI - SET DESIGNER - Pier Paolo Bisleri is a set and costume designer, graduate at the Florence Academy of Fine Arts... in his set design career, he was always influenced by contemporary arts, ... since 1978 he cooperated with Teatro Stabile di Prosa del Friuli-Venezia Giulia as Technical Director, and later with Piccolo Teatro di Milano Teatro d'Europa under the direction of Luca Ronconi and with Fondazione Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi di Trieste, contributing to the realization of more than 200 theatrical plays and operas. He taught "History and Technique of Set Design" at University in Udine and in Trieste... he created, as a stage designer, more than fifty new drama productions. Read more, "The Team"...

ABOUT DAVIDE DI DONATO - SCULPTOR (Set design) - "Born in Trieste on 4/19/1965, where I live and work. After many experiences in Italy and abroad (Japan, USA, China, Russia and throughout Europe) I have refined a particular professional skill especially in the realization of theatrical and cinematic scenography, life-size reconstructions and miniature models of prehistoric animals and endangered species, hominids and humans, spectacular, environment dioramas, intended mostly for Museums of Natural History and thematic museums around the world..." Read more, "The Team".

Photo Credit: Federica Dall' Orso