Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Presents DIAVOLO | ARCHITECTURE IN MOTION

DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion, founded by Jacques Heim and acclaimed for its thrilling heart-stopping performances, presents two remarkable dance pieces, the world premiere of S.O.S. - Signs of Strength, featuring an extraordinary cast that includes nine military veterans, and Trajectoire on Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19, 2022, 7:30 pm, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts' Bram Goldsmith Theater.

Combining contemporary dance with martial arts, acrobatics, gymnastics and hip-hop and using meticulously designed architectural structures as the central inspiration for its gravity-defying work, DIAVOLO incorporates storytelling and movement to create socially relevant productions that celebrate the diversity and complexities of humankind. DIAVOLO's stylistically varied and intensely physical choreography has become the hallmark of this truly original world-class company, which earned a Top 10 place in the 12th season of "America's Got Talent," attracting more than 90 million television viewers. A talk-back with the company will be held after each performance.

S.O.S. - SIGNS OF STRENGTH retraces the epic journey of a group of soldiers advancing through a landscape of battlegrounds, revealing how they face danger and meet adversity through individual feats of strength and resilience, and find unity and belonging that gives meaning to their personal sacrifice and service for the greater good. In the quintessential "no-holds-barred" style of DIAVOLO, the piece is performed by a remarkable cast of actual military veterans and dancers and incorporates dramatic architectural structures that create a surrealistic setting for powerful storytelling. In a commentary about a recent workshop performance of the new work, one critic stated that the troupe "put an unremitting pedal to the metal, propelled by acrobatics of such high caliber and interwoven with voiced testimonials evincing human vulnerability, courage and sensitivity...that...I cried" (ArtsMeme).

S.O.S. was created as part of DIAVOLO's Veterans Project, which works with veterans of the armed forces through movement workshops and public performances in communities across the country, utilizing the company's unique style of dance as a tool to help restore veterans' physical, mental and emotional strengths.

"I was incredibly impressed not only with how exciting S.O.S. is, but also with how purposeful and authentic the work is," says Wallis Associate Artistic Director Coy Middlebrook. "It's clear that there is extraordinary trust and camaraderie among the veterans and dancers in the company. Although only two of the veterans in the cast have had previous dance experience, the choreography is extremely challenging. To watch the veterans meet this challenge and share their stories through text and dance, and to then hear how their time with Diavolo enhances and heals their lives, left me in awe of The Veterans Project. It's a place where the artist and the soldier and the audience meet, and we are all better for it."

Army veteran and S.O.S. cast member Christopher Loverro describes his experience in The Veterans' Project, "Diavolo hasn't just changed my life, it saved my life. Upon returning from war, I had acute symptoms of PTSD and almost took my life. For ten years, I struggled with depression and suicide. Nothing seemed to make any difference until I discovered Diavolo. When I stepped into their world, I found a tribe of people so caring and supportive that I was reminded of what it was like to have someone truly have your back and believe in you. I found a strength and beauty in both myself and others that I'd never had. Diavolo has given me the tools to navigate the obstacles in life that no one else has. My work with the company has given me a reason to live and I no longer think of taking my life."

TRAJECTOIRE takes the audience on a visceral and emotional journey through the ebb and flow of the human experience. As the performers struggle to find their balance on a voyage of destiny and destination, the work shows the transcendence of the human soul against all odds.

Dance @ The Wallis is made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Upcoming performances at The Wallis in March and April include Bedtime Stories (March 24-26); Hershey Felder Presents Live from Florence The Verdi Fiasco (livestreamed beginning March 27); Kelli O'Hara with Seth Rudetsky (April 2); Suzana Bartal and the Calder Quartet (April 9); Sunday Funday (April 10); and Complexions Contemporary Ballet (April 14-16).

The Wallis is closely monitoring the ever-changing local health and safety environment carefully and addressing known health factors at the moment. Should plans change and any performance be required to be postponed or cancelled or if venue capacity limitations are instituted, ticket holders will be notified immediately with options for their purchased tickets per The Wallis' ticketing policies.

The health and safety of patrons, our staff, and artists inside and outside our venue are a top priority for The Wallis, which is requiring all patrons to provide, upon entry, proof of full vaccination, including proof of a booster shot, or a negative PCR test result within 48 hours or a verifiable Antigen test within 24 hours from your performance date, along with a government issued photo ID. Facial masks, covering both the mouth and nose, are still required at all times while within the venue. The Wallis' health and safety protocols are also subject to change at the venue's sole discretion or in accordance with LA County and City of Beverly Hills regulations. Our current Health & Safety Protocols and updates may also be accessed at TheWallis.org/Safety.

Tickets, $39-$99, are on sale now. The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call 310-746-4000 or visit TheWallis.org/Diavolo.

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