Diavolo Dance Theatre believes in taking chances.
Part dance, part performance art, part athleticism and entirely original, the 11-member company explores contemporary life by navigating oversized, surrealistic everyday objects, such as doors, chairs and stairways.
Diavolo Dance Theatre will appear at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Lied Center.
The company, founded in 1992 in Los Angeles, will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Lied Center. A talk-back with the artists will be held from 10 p.m. to 10:20 p.m.
The two-hour program tentatively will include "Tete en L'Air," "Apex," "Le Siege" and "Trajectoire." The works were developed to create metaphors for the challenge of relationships, the absurdities of life and the struggle to maintain humanity in a growing technological world.
The company has received three Lester Horton Awards and a National Endowment for the Arts grant. Between touring dates, its members are creating a live-performance event for Disney's new California Adventure theme park.
Diavolo is led by Parisian-born artistic director and choreographer Jacques Heim. His work is based on the exploration of human survival and creativity within the confines of physical environments. He teaches movement classes at the University of California-Los Angeles and is a part-time faculty member at California State University-Los Angeles.
Diavolo will be in residency at the Lied Center for five days, beginning Tuesday. Activities open to the public include Dance and Architecture Brown Bag Lunch, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, International Room, Kansas Union; mini-performance featuring "Apex," 11:30 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Mrs. E's Dining Commons, Ellsworth Hall; open company rehearsal, 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, Lied Center; and Sound-Move-Adventure Day for ages 10-15, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Lawrence Arts Center, 200 W. Ninth St.
In addition to public events, the company will work with students at Free State High School, Kansas University, Lawrence High School and Lawrence Alternative High School. Members also will conduct school performances, lead an improvisation class and speak to the New Generation Society.
Tickets, which range from $11 to $27, are available at Lied Center Box Office, 864-ARTS; Murphy Hall Box Office, 864-3982; Student Union Activities Box Office, 864-3477; KU Medical Center Bookstore; Ticketmaster outlets, (785) 234-4545 and (816) 931-3330; and online at TICKETS.COM.
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