Sociedade Masculina

Artistic direction : Vera Lafer

Creation: 2003

This all-male Brazilian company was created in 2003 and invites the cream of Brazilian and European choreographers to portray the traits of contemporary men without restriction. Founded by Vera Lafer, dancer and dance lover, the company was created in Studio3 – Espace de danse in Sao Paulo, a school for perfecting and training dancers where Anselmo Zolla gives classes. At the end of 2003, Anselmo Zolla, today artistic director with Ivonice Satie, created a choreography called Sociedade Masculina with some of the men who attended his classes. He saw that he could develop a world that was seldom explored by choreographers.    

He decided to pursue the adventure with those same few dancers by founding the eponymous company. For 8 years a dancer, Anselmo Zolla prefers to remain an “organiser of dance”, creating new choreographies and inviting choreographers into the company. Apart from the prejudices that stigmatise male Brazilian dancers, Sociedade Masculina has for three years established itself as an all-male company. Comprised of 8 dancers, the company’s objective is to enhance male dance while going beyond clichés. The dancers participate in the presentation of a choreographic world made of non-ostentatious heroism, athletic virtuosity and strength. Anselmo Zolla and Ivonice Satie have been able to make themselves heard, appreciated and also to integrate renowned choreographers (Henrique Rodovalho, Deborah Colker, Paulo Caldas, Jorge Garcia, Ivonice Satie, Anselmo Zolla, Andonis Fionadakis…). Today the company has a dozen shows in its repertoire. Exploring the movement that the body can create, and also of its intimate universe, its secrets and of course its weaknesses, the work of the Sociedade Masculina unrestrainedly highlights the traits of contemporary man au naturel.   

Source : Biennale de la Danse press file 2008

More information : sociedademasculina.com