The Chicago-based contemporary ballet company PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, returns to Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland, for their fourth annual Spring Season Series, “MONOLITH.” The program features world premieres choreographed by Cuban-born Beatriz García Diáz, Puerto Rican-born Xavier Nuñez and Bryan Arias and PARA.MAR’s founder and artistic director Stephanie Martinez. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 24 and 2 and 7:30 pm. Saturday, May 25.
“‘MONOLITH’ dispels the myths and truths of ‘monolithic’ cultures through the Latin lens by tapping into the vast, rich, unique, and complex individuality of several of today’s most sought after Latin choreographic voices,” says Martinez. “Our hope is that ‘MONOLITH’ offers a window into what it means to be Latin – with the intention of creating deeper connections and context within our understanding of the diversity that exists within ‘monolithic’ cultures.
PARA.MAR Dance Theatre’s “MONOLITH” performances will take place in the cathedral of the renovated Epiphany Hall which has been preserved and adapted into an iconic cultural hub. Here, one large stage will be installed within the venue with seating placed in the round but guests will be invited to roam around to experience the performance from alternative vantage points.
Tickets
PARA.MAR Dance Theatre presents their Spring Season Series “MONOLITH” at the Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland, 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 25th and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 26th.
The company maintains their commitment to radical access to art by continuing to offer pay-what-you-can ticketing. For tickets and more information, visit: www.paramardance.com/monolith.
About PARA.MAR Dance Theatre
PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, now in its fourth season, is a Chicago-based contemporary ballet repertory company, founded in 2020 and directed by award-winning choreographer, Stephanie Martinez.
Meaning “together, with, and for,” the Spanish word “PARA” represents the vision, purpose, and commitment to celebrating identity and creating community through contemporary ballet. Together, with the belief that inclusion leads to innovation, and that dance is an essential mode of human expression, PARA.MAR’s mission is to empower and elevate diverse voices in contemporary ballet by providing performances and programming rooted in artistic excellence, radical accessibility, and reflective of the unique identities of the communities it serves. For updates and more information visit www.paramardance.com.
Choreographer Biographies
Beatriz García Diáz
Born in Havana, Cuba, Diáz began her dance education at the National Ballet School and the University of Arts of Cuba. She started her professional career as a dancer with Danza Teatro Retazos Company, where she spent three years working with choreographers such as Isabel Bustos, Miguel Azcue, and Pepe Hevia.
In 2014 Beatriz joined Malpaso Dance Company and worked on multiple pieces created by the artistic director and choreographer, Osnel Delgado. She also had the opportunity to collaborate with several other choreographers including Trey McIntyre, Aszure Barton, Sonya Tayeh, Robyn Mineko Williams, Florian Lochner, Alice Klock (“Flock”), Iratxe Ansa, Igor Bacovich (“Metamorphosis”) and Ohad Naharin. Additionally, she has performed works by Ronald K. Brown and Merce Cunningham and has performed as a guest artist with Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami, Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami and Zest Collective, among others.
Apart from performing, Diáz has also started to create her own choreographic works for Acosta Danza and Malpaso Dance Company. She was invited to participate in the II Meeting of Young Choreographers in Cali, Colombia. She participated in the XXVII International Ballet Festival of Miami by presenting an original work of her own creation. She also created work for Santa Fe College and for Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami.
Xavier Nuñez
Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Núñez embarked on his dance journey at age 10 at The Hartt Community Dance Division in Hartford, Conn., becoming the first dancer in his family. He continued his training at the International Ballet Academy in Cary, N.C., under Miguel Campaneria in 2010.In 2012, he earned the silver medal at the World Ballet Competition, propelling him to join the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company under the guidance of Kevin McKenzie and Franco De Vita. Here he performed in international galas in Italy and France, performing George Balanchine’s “Tarantella” and Alexei Ratmansky’s “Le Carnaval Des Animaux.” Xavier's path led him to The Tulsa Ballet in 2013, where he performed in productions including “The Sleeping Beauty,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Cinderella.”
In 2017, Núñez took part in the Concours de Opera National de Paris, earning him 6th place and a contract for the 2017-2018 season with the Paris Opera Ballet. In 2018, Nuñez became a member of the Joffrey Ballet. Since then, he has been privileged to grace the stage in lead roles, performing in acclaimed productions such as Yuri Possokhov's “Anna Karenina,” John Neumeier's “The Little Mermaid” and more.
Núñez is a co-founder of the Chicago-based production company Action Lines with Dylan Gutierrez and Eric Grant. He creatively directs and choreographs, aiming to fuse dance, education, and entertainment for a fresh perspective on the industry, enhancing its connection to our community.
Bryan Arias
Arias is a highly acclaimed and visionary choreographer known for his evocative and emotionally charged works. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City, he discovered his love for dance at a young age, drawn to the expressive and transformative nature of movement. He began his formal training in various dance techniques, including classical ballet and contemporary dance, which provided a strong foundation for his future artistic endeavors.
Throughout his career, Arias has had the privilege of working with esteemed dance companies and artists, both as a dancer and a choreographer. His experiences with Netherlands Dans Theater and Crystal Pite’s “Kidd Pivot” exposed him to a wide range of styles and approaches to dance, further enriching his artistic perspective.
Arias' choreographic journey has been characterized by a profound exploration of human emotion and the human condition. His choreographic style is characterized by fluidity, organic partnering, and a seamless integration of dance and theatrical elements. His talent and unique artistic vision have garnered widespread recognition and numerous accolades. Arias has been commissioned to create original works for prestigious dance companies around the world, including Netherlands Dance Theater, Ballet Theater Basel, Zurich Ballet, Leipzig Ballet, The Paul Taylor Company and The Bolshoi Ballet.
Arias is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of dancers and choreographers and has taught masterclasses and workshops internationally. As a choreographer, he continues to push the boundaries of dance and his dedication to his craft and his ability to tell compelling stories through movement have established him as a true luminary in the world of contemporary dance.
Stephanie Martinez
Over 11 years of award-winning works, Chicago-based choreographer Martinez has moved her audiences along a journey guided by the physicality of her movement and honest storytelling. With original creations for Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Charlotte Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Eugene Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Memphis, Kansas City Ballet, and National Choreographers Initiative among others, Martinez’s versatility expands the boundaries of contemporary ballet movement through her passion for marrying dance and theater as a means to construct intricate visual experiences.
Martinez has created over 60 ballets on companies and collegiate programs across the country. In 2010, Martinez assisted Broadway legend Ann Reinking in setting the “Fosse Trilogy,” and in 2015 was awarded Joffrey Ballet’s “Winning Works: Choreographers of Color” commission and the Chicago 3Arts Award in recognition for her work as a female artist of color. More recently, Martinez was awarded an NEA grant for her premiere “Bliss!” at Joffrey Ballet. Designated “a chameleon” of choreography by the Chicago Tribune, Martinez’s psychologically revelatory works challenge the viewer’s notion of what is possible.