Profile: It is not by chance that director/choreographer Deborah Colker trademarks her work with diversity and unrest. She has an eclectic background as a psychology student, pianist, professional volleyball player, dancer, teacher and movement director.
Early Years: Beginning in 1980, Colker danced, choreographed and taught for eight years at Grupo Coringa. In 1984, Colker became a movement director, where she worked on over 30 plays with the country’s most important directors and actors. Colker also choreographed music shows and videoclips. For three years in a row she choreographed the Front Commission of Mangueira School of Samba (1995-1997) as well as of Viradouro School of Samba (2005- 2007) for the Carnival parade.
Choreography: The moment to create Companhia de Dança Deborah Colker came in 1994. Since then, she has created nine full-length dance pieces for her company: VULCÃO, VELOX, MIX, ROTA, CASA, 4 POR 4, KNOT, DYNAMO and CRUEL.
In 2002, Deborah was invited by the Berlin Ballet – Komische Oper to be a guest choreographer for an entire evening. For this program, which premiered in February 2003 in Berlin, Deborah created specially for the Komische Oper ELA which was presented together with CASA, a piece originally created for Colker’s own company in 1999.
In 2008 choreographer Deborah Colker wrote, directed and choreographed Cirque du Soleil’s newest show OVO, which premiered in May 2009 in Quebec, and has the distinction of being the first female to direct for Cirque du Soleil.
Awards: Colker has won several awards, including the most distinguished UK theatre award Laurence Olivier 2001 for her choreography of Mix as well as the Brazilian- Prêmio Ministério da Cultura.
