presents Sequence 8 Les 7 doigts de la main (7 Fingers)

PRODUCTION AND ARTISTIC DIRECTION Shana Carroll, Isabelle Chassé, Patrick Léonard, Gypsy Snider, Sébastien Soldevila, Samuel Tétreault

DIRECTION Shana Carroll & Sébastien Soldevila

CAST Eric Bates, Ugo Dario, Colin Davis, Devin Henderson, Alexandra Royer, Maxim Laurin, Camille Legris, Tristan Nielsen

June 27 & 28 at 8pm June 29 at 2pm Shubert Theater

Presented with support from:

National Endowment for the Arts

Chamber Insurance Trust People’s United Bank About

ABOUT LES 7 DOIGTS DE LA MAIN

Les 7 doigts de la main translates literally as “the 7 fingers of the hand”. It is a twist on a French idiom (“the five fingers of the hand”) used to describe distinct parts united tightly, moving in coordination towards one common goal. Here it refers to the 7 founding directors of the company (Isabelle Chassé, Shana Carroll, Patrick Léonard, Faon Shane, Gypsy Snider, Sébastien Soldevila and Samuel Tétreault) who, by combining their distinct talents and experiences, work towards their common artistic goals with the beautifully awkward dexterity of a 7-fingered hand.

Founded in Montreal in 2002, the 7 Fingers initial goal was to bring circus to a human scale. They began as artists on stage, creating collectively, and soon branched out, expanding their creative talents as directors, choreographers, writers and coaches, passing on their collaborative and unique 7 Fingers process to a new generation of circus artists.

Out of this emerged Loft, Traces, La Vie, Psy, Projet Fibonacci, Patinoire, A Muse, and Séquence 8. A relaxed and funky artist’s loft, a bunker, purgatory, or a psychiatrist’s office, an international collaboration of cultures or a solo clown show, each show offers a distinct setting and yet carries the same 7 finger-print.

In addition the 7 Fingers have developed a special events department through which they have delivered a diverse range of projects, including participation in The Royal Variety Performance for the Queen of England, ceremonies of both the Turin and Vancouver Olympics, large corporate events for companies such as Caterpillar and BMW, directing the National Circus School end-of-year show 2 years in a row, and much more. Each Project is custom-made, approached with the same hands-on creativity.

ABOUT SEQUENCE 8

Our 8th creation carries emotional dynamics to a point of explosion and propulsion. In this show we find emotions so heightened they spring into action, and relationships that transform and evolve until they create actual velocity. Set not in a specific time or place but rather on a vertical canvas of sorts, this acrobatic dance and theatre piece contemplates the role of the “other”, and how we define ourselves through and against it.

2 About

THE DIRECTORS

Shana Carroll Sébastien Soldevila

THE ARTISTS

Alexandra Royer Camille Legris Colin Davis Devin Henderson

Eric Bates Maxim Laurin Tristan Nielsen Ugo Dario

PHOTO CREDIT (THE ARTISTS): Studio Pastis 3 About the Directors

SHANA CARROLL (Choreography SEBASTIEN SOLDEVILA and Direction) is co-founding artistic (Choreography and Direction) director of Montreal’s Les 7 Doigts Well advanced in his studies in de la Main (7 Fingers), where she biochemistry, Sebastien Soldevila has co-directed and choreographed would most likely have become the company’s major touring a doctor had he not been so shows, whether together with the passionate about acrobatics. collective (Loft, La Vie), with partner Growing up, the voracious athlete Gypsy Snider (Traces), with partner delved into trampoline, diving, and husband Sebastien Soldevila acrobatic skiing, tumbling with (Sequence 8), or on her own (Psy, the French Junior National Team, Cabaret 2010). In addition to her and sports acrobatics, where he work within 7 Fingers, Shana is also and partner Emilie Bonnevaud known for her circus choreography maintained the title of French and directing including 4 gold- National Champions in Mixed Pairs medal winning acts at the Festival fours years in a row. After working de Cirque de Demain, II Fait as a choreographer for the Dutch Dimanche for l’Ecole Nationale de National Team, Sebastien was Cirque de Montreal, Quebec’s 400th recruited to perform in Cirque du anniversary performance with 40 Soleil’s Saltimbanco. trapeze artists (2008), the acrobatic design and choreography Of Cirque Upon co-founding Les 7 doigts de du Soleil’s show Iris at the Kodak la main in 2002, Sebastien joined Theatre, and the Cirque du Soleil forces with Patrick Leonard to performance at the 84th Annual create an award-winning duo (Prix Academy Awards (2012). Nikouline, Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain de Paris), since A former trapeze artist, Shana performed on over 15 television performed for 20 years in the air, programs around the world. within 7 Fingers shows Loft and In 2007, he and Emilie Bonnevaud La Vie (2002-2008), and with a developed a new hand-to-hand act, wide variety of circus and dance choreographed by Sebastien’s wife companies around the world, most and fellow 7 doigt Shana Carroll. notably 7 years as original solo The act won the gold medal at trapeze artist for Cirque du Soleil’s the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Saltimbanco (1994-2001). Originally Demain de Paris. from Berkeley California, Shana first started circus at the age of 18 with Sebastien co-created Loft, La San Francisco’s Pickle Family Circus Vie and Séquence 8. He coaches (1988-1991), and then furthered acrobatics with many 7 doigt shows her trapeze training at Montreal’s and at the National Circus School Ecole Nationale de Cirque (1991- of Montreal. A native of Paris, ‐1993) and France’s Ecole Nationale Sebastien lives with his family in de Cirque de Rosny-sous-Bois Montreal. (1993-1994). She currently lives in Montreal with her husband and daughter, in a renovated convent with other fellow-Fingers.

4 About the Performers

ERIC BATES (Performer) has COLIN DAVIS (Performer) always been a juggler. Circus has Surrounded by the arts from a been a major part of his life since young age (his father was the his days of being a rugby captain, founder of the San Francisco Mime competitive skier, and football Troupe), Colin discovered circus by player. In 2008, his life took a serious watching the Pickle Family Circus. turn when he abandoned his studies At 11, he decided to give it a shot, at McGill University and entered the and entered the San Francisco National Circus School in Montreal, School of Circus Arts. He so enjoyed in what was decidedly for Eric learning Chinese acrobatics that he one of the best choices of his life. then chose to further his training in Beyond his specialty of cigar-box Montreal. With his partner Devin, he juggling—for which he is considered entered the National Circus School one of the best in the world—Eric for three more years of intensive is an active jack of many trades training. An accomplished musician, including harmonica, chess, cooking, Colin has been playing instruments break-dance, and skateboarding. since he was 11, with a particular passion for the trumpet. A high level acrobat, Colin aspires, through DEVIN HENDERSON (Performer) his fertile imagination, to invoke Raised in a family who welcomed laughter as well as tears. the arts, Devin was barely five years old when he entered the San Francisco School of Circus Arts. UGO DARIO (Performer) discovered Within two years, he advanced to circus at age 8 in a recreational the Chinese acrobatics classes with circus school in France. Immediately Master Lu Yi, and a year later, at impassioned, he tried every age eight, he performed in his first discipline he could, obtaining a solid professional show. After spending foundation in circus before moving much time at the San Francisco to central France to attend l’Ecole School of Circus Arts, Devin entered de Cirque Châtellerault. In 2008, the Montreal’s National Circus School, young artist traveled to Montreal, where he perfected a duo number and entered the National Circus with Colin Davis, his partner for over School of Montreal, where he and 12 years. A lover of sports, food, and, partner Maxim specialized in Korean especially of film, Devin frequently Board. Ugo graduated in 2011, and creates shorts movies about circus. quickly joined Les 7 doigts de la main, participating in the Cabaret of the Completement Cirque Festival before embarking on the new creation. Ugo is also a brown belt in karate, and is a painter, graffiti artist, photographer, and musician.

5 About the Performers

CAMILLE LEGRIS (Performer) ALEXANDRA ROYER (Performer) Camille began gymnastics at age From a young age, Alexandra was 5. At 15, her walls covered with drawn to sports, the more extreme medals, she was named Athlete the better. At 8, she moved with of the Year in her native town in her family to Morocco and began Quebec. After watching Cirque du classical horseback riding. Upon her Soleil on television, Camille enrolled return from Morocco, at age 11, she at the National Circus School of signed up for the Circus School of Montreal. She studied at the circus Quebec City. She explored many school for seven years, performing circus disciplines while continuing along the way in special events and horseback riding and equestrian professional shows. Camille trained vaulting. In 2008, she entered the with hand to hand partner Tristan National Circus School of Montreal. under the guidance and coaching After training in Russian bar and of Les 7 doigts de la main artists other disciplines, she graduated Sebastien and Emilie. The duo found in 2011 with a specialty in aerial strengths in their differences and hoop and won the Gold Medal developed an acrobatic and artistic at SOLyCIRCO (Germany). Her harmony. strength as an artist lies in the mix of energy and elegance in her performance. MAXIM LAURIN (Performer) A highly active child, Maxim dabbled in theatre, magic, and circus before TRISTAN NIELSEN (Performer) enrolling in Montreal’s National From a young age, Tristan showed Circus School at age 11. Placed in an perseverance in almost everything intensive collegial circus program, he tried. He signed up for a circus Maxim trained in acrobatics, program offered through his school dance, theatre, and trapeze while at age 12, and by 19 had already completing his academic studies. At participated in two tours with the 16, Maxim was sent by the National established youth troupe Circus Circus School to France for a Smirkus, and spent a season with workshop. There he met future the Zoppé Family Circus. After partner Ugo, with whom he decided spending two months at the San to specialize in Korean Board. Francisco Circus Center, Tristan felt Maxim graduated from school in ready to take his hand to hand level 2011 and immediately joined the 7 further, and at 20, he entered the Fingers. Maxim strives for constant National Circus School of Montreal. artistic renewal, and aims to find his It was there that he met partner own way of being a circus artist. Camille Legris. Despite their initial language barrier, the two found a common ground in their love of hand to hand, and together created a dynamic and accomplished act.

6 About the Show

PRODUCTION AND ARTISTIC DIRECTION

Les 7 doigts de la main Shana Carroll, Isabelle Chassé, Patrick Léonard, Gypsy Snider, Sébastien Soldevila, Samuel Tétreault

Direction Shana Carroll and Sébastien Soldevila

On stage Eric Bates, Ugo Dario, Colin Davis, Devin Henderson, Alexandra Royer, Maxim Laurin, Camille Legris, Tristan Nielsen

Co-Production Les Nuits de Fourvière/Département du Rhône, Lyon (Fr) TOHU (Montréal, Canada). With the support of programme d’Aide à la coproduction du Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec DESIGN Assistant to the Sabrina Gilbert Directors, Stage Manager Set and Props Design Anne Séguin-Poirier Costume Design Manon Desmarais Light Design Nol Van Genuchten Acrobatic Design Sébastien Soldevila Acrobatic Equipment Alexandre Lemay Design Original Music Seth Stachowski Remix Nans Bortuzzo Musics Dr Opin, Liza Ekdahl, Ben Harper, Chinese Man, That Handsome Devil, C2C, Tunng, Tosca, The Mountain Goats, Jónsi & Alex.

PRODUCTION Production Director Jérémie Niel Technical Director Guy Lévesque Acrobatic Coaches Jérôme Le Baut, André St-Jean, Émilie Bonnavaud Physiotherapist Hugo Rioux Voice Coach Linda Benoy Trumpet Coach Hubert Côté Translation Adaptation and Michel Vézina Diction Coach Support to Rigging Stéphane Beauchet and Construction Head Rigger Robert Ouellette Light Operator Élaine Ducasse Texts John Carroll, Shana Carroll, Colin Davis, Sébastien Soldevila, Michel Vézina. Poster Design Studio Pastis Assistant for set up Camille Boyer and props Tour Director Jérémi Niel Technical Director Guy Levesque Lights Elaine Ducasse Rigging Robert Ouellete

COMMISSIONING PARTNERS Printemps des Comédiens (Montpellier, France), Arts Emerson (Boston, USA), Live Arts Festival (Philadelphia, USA), La Strada (Graz, Austria) Monaco Dance Forum (Monaco), Teatro Circo Price (Madrid, Spain) CE Works (Japan).

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