The world premiere of Sleeping Beauty Dreams, a contemporary art exploration of the age-old fable brought to life by Magic Reality Group, will debut this week at the Adrienne Arsht Center during Miami Art Week. The EDM-influenced performance explores one of the most iconic stories ever told, Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty,” and will showcase the first-ever fusion of live contemporary ballet dance with Real Time Avatars projected on-stage.
A story never told before – Sleeping Beauty Dreams is an unprecedented fusion of contemporary dance with state-of-the-art, Real-Time Avatar projection and electronic music for a multi-dimensional scenic experience. This emerging technology allows the constantly transforming avatars of Sleeping Beauty Dreams to seamlessly replicate the dancers’ movements live, adding a whole new dimension to the world of live performance.
The legend of Sleeping Beauty has been retold by masters since the 14th century, but no one has explored what the princess was dreaming while she slept for 100 years.
International prima ballerina, Diana Vishneva, performs as Princess Aurora and Marcelo Gomes as Prince Peter – creating the greatest duo for retelling the classic tale then and now. The ballet artists are brought together in a fusion of dance, music, art, and revolutionary avatar projection displayed with a technology and in a format never seen on stage before. Artists joining Vishneva and Gomes include digital designer Tobias Gremmler, who works with Bjork, and costume designer Bart Hess, who works with Lady Gaga, choreographer Edward Clug, light artist Laurent Fort, music by famed EDM pioneers, NOISIA/Thijs de Vlieger, whose music is featured on Hollywood blockbusters and works with some of the world’s biggest artists including Skrillex and deadmau5.
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It was a pleasure to sit down with Marcelo for this exclusive Hotspots interview:
At what age did you start dancing?
At the age of 5 years old.
When did ballet become your love?
Ballet was my love from the very beginning, I used to watch VHS tapes of Nureyev, Misha, Julio Bocca and Bujones, and I wanted to be like them. I couldn’t wait to go in the studios and try the things they were doing. Little did I know that it would take many years of practice and devotion.
You were promoted to Principle dancer at the age of 22, how did that feel?
It felt amazing. I knew I always wanted to dance but never thought at such a level. I was always just happy to step onto the stage as a reindeer or as Albrecht. As principal dancer the responsibilities changes and the work never stops, but it was an honor to step into dream roles and follow the footsteps of many amazing role models before me.
You are also a choreographer; is that something you see yourself continuing to do as you get older?
I hope so. I love working with dancers and creating something in the studio. I love teaching as well. Since I’m still dancing it’s a fine balance choreographing and keeping my body in shape, but I do love the whole process of putting a work onto the stage, it’s a different thrill!!! Dancers can inspire you in a way that your own steps become even more beautiful. That transformation and journey is great to experience.
You have traveled all over the world. Do you have a favorite city or venue to perform in?
I love dancing in Brazil, in my home town of Manaus at the Teatro Amazonas. It always feels like I’m dancing for my family, which I know I am!
When not dancing, what do you do for fun?
I love to cook for my husband, Nicholas, and just be at home listening to music.
You went to school here in Boca Raton, are you excited to be back in Florida?
Yes, I am. I’m also spending some time with Sarasota ballet as a guest for three different programs this year and next, so if you are in Florida and want to see me dance, there will be plenty of opportunities. I also feel like the sun helps anyone to be in a better mood.
Tell me about Sleeping Beauty Dreams and why our readers should come see it?
This is a brand-new take at sleeping beauty, actually not even the story, but what she was dreaming about for 100 years. The collaboration between brand new music, costumes, choreography and real time avatar is very new for me and an exciting way to explore this topic. Audiences also will be able to see Diana Vishneva in a brand-new way and I applaud her for pushing the boundaries not only in dance but involving so many different art forms put together.
Discover an interpretation of what happened during the princess’ 100-year slumber in Miami at the Adrienne Arsht Center on December 7th and 8th at 8 pm. For tickets, go to ArshtCenter.org.
For more information, go to: sbdart.com.
