Dancing From The Heart

Love, joy, dance connect BodyTraffic, audience

Lillian Barbeito, co-founder and artistic director of BodyTraffic, says one of her favorite parts of bringing her company to communities across the nation is the personal interactions with the audience. She encourages guests at Thursday’s show to share their thoughts and takeaway on the performance with the group.
Lillian Barbeito, co-founder and artistic director of BodyTraffic, says one of her favorite parts of bringing her company to communities across the nation is the personal interactions with the audience. She encourages guests at Thursday’s show to share their thoughts and takeaway on the performance with the group.

Los Angeles-based dance company BodyTraffic aspires to have something for everyone -- both in the audience and on the stage. Founded a decade ago by dancers Lillian Barbeito and Tina Berkett, the company's repertoire has expanded to become a bucket list of contemporary choreographers for the performers.

"The choreographers we're interested in are not imitative or derivative of other choreographers -- they really have their own movement language or a distinctive way of building material," Barbeito says. And while their dancers continue developing their artistry, Barbeito and Berkett are looking to take the audience on an intellectual and emotional journey with each performance. "We're hoping there's something that will tug at people's heartstrings, another piece [that is] thought-provoking, and then another piece that's just sheer entertainment."

FAQ

BodyTraffic

WHEN — 7 p.m. Thursday

WHERE — Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville

COST — $10

INFO — 443-5600

That's what Thursday night's audience at the Walton Arts Center can expect from the group's four pieces -- ending the evening on an uplifting note with one of the company's signature pieces. Another hallmark of a BodyTraffic performance guests can anticipate is the palpable connection between the dancers and the audience.

"Elsewhere, I think dancers are directed to act like the proscenium is a wall," Barbeito says. "With the choreographers [Tina and I] are attracted to, the wall doesn't exist, so when our dancers are performing, they're right there with the audience.

"I think the audience can sense that we really just love what we do, and that transcends the fourth wall."

-- Jocelyn Murphy

[email protected]

NAN What's Up on 02/24/2017

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