Austrian dance artist Willi Dorner, interviewed by Nicky (Molloy) Napier, speaks about his history as a performer, the effect of Alexander Technique on his choreographic work, and his performance work bodies in urban spaces, in which 20 performers lead the audience through urban spaces, allowing both dancers and passers-by to perceive the spaces in new ways.
This talk was part of Crossing Borders 2009, presented in partnership with London Contemporary Dance School and Dance Umbrella.
Willi Dorner was born 1959 in Baden, Austria, studied at the ‘Austrian Society for Dance Therapy’ and is a certified Alexander technique teacher. He also studied at Erick Hawkins Studio in New York and at the School for Body-Mind Centering in Developmental Movement. Further work was with Andrew Harwood, Danny Lepkoff, Irene Hultman and Stephen Petronio. Dorner was a member of Nina Martin’s company in New York and I.D.A. – Mark Tompkins Company in Paris.
He started to choreograph his own productions in 1990. Besides his international touring dance performances Willi Dorner has been involved with film-making and is keen on creating events that give the audience the opportunity for new experiences, insights and a different perception of every day’s life. Cie. Willi Dorner’s stage performances and site specific works are presented in festivals and venues in Europe, Africa, North and South America and China.
For more information about Willi Dorner’s bodies in urban spaces click here.
Nicky (Molloy) Napier is a curator and producer with over 25 years experience in the dance and performance sector.
Nicky was previously Head of Dance and Performance at the Southbank Centre in London, and Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Dance4 and the nottdance festival. Other work includes projects with the European Commission, the Hayward Gallery, Yolande Snaith and Rosemary Butcher, and as a senior member of the team that delivered Trinity Laban’s award-winning building in 2003. In 2009 Nicky was awarded a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Artes et des Lettres (Republique Français), for her services to dance.
Nicky trained at the Arts Educational Schools, Trinity Laban and at Birkbeck College (MA Dramaturgy). Other current work includes generating and developing new ideas with fellow explorers via the collaborative framework – a meeting place.
Adapted from bios published in 2009, though we have updated Nicky Molloy’s name.
