Deborah Colker is as animated in life as she is on the stage.
A director and choreographer with a more than 30-year career, Colker grew up in Brazil to Russian immigrant parents who gave her the Jewish education that she says allowed her to pursue dance and create art. Colker was the first woman to direct for Cirque du Soleil — her creation “OVO,” which means “egg” in Portuguese, premiered in Montreal in May, and will travel to New York in 2010.
Her latest work to land at the feet of a New York audience is “4x4,” a high-energy romp that intersperses visual art (paintings, ceramics) with the 17-person company’s classically rooted, if punky, choreography. The enthusiastic Colker could not stay behind the curtain if she tried; she dances in one number, and plays the piano in another. The performance recently completed a short run at City Center.
While in New York, Colker recently stopped by the Forward’s studio to discuss her choreography, depicted in this audio slideshow:
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Hi guys, my names Tina and im completely new to this forum.
I hope that I'll learn and share a lot of interesting things.
Thanks, Tina
You have been given a great gift from G-D, people will see what you do. Do it for G-D. One of the keys in dancing for the LORD is maintaining your focus upon Him. It is all to easy, to seek to receive man's applause, robbing G-D'S glory instead of using the gift to give glory to G-D.
The nation of Israael has ussed dances as a form of worship. And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron took a timbrel in her hand, and all the woman went out after her with tembrels and with dances" Ex.15.. It is interesting and makes me think....that Miriam (the sister of Moses and Aaron) was called a prophetess,,---yet---nowhere in scripture does it record a single prophecy that she brought fourth.
However the lost book of Jasher does record many things she did and said, I need to go back and re-read this.. well back to you. David, sang and danced in his praise and worship. 2 Samuel 6. with all his might ps. 149 and 150
Is G-D using you??? Pray about it, and may I add this to your thoughts....remember the verse in Isaiah 6....."Also I heard the voice of the LORD saying whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then said I, Here am I; send me"
The only true requirement to be a praise dancer is a willingness to be empty of self, so that you can become full of Him.
I love to dance, and all my granddaughters love to dance, one told me she does it for G-D and it shows....her heart lifts her up and spinns her around, like a bird. I see G-D holding her up.
People can see many things, and not know it, let them see G-D holding you up. May all you do for G-D be blessed, and bless his people.