Now in its 6th edition, the _Territory_ program, aimed at young dancers between the ages of 14 and 18, invites choreographers of undeniable international relevance, giving several talented dance students the opportunity each year to work with and learn from renowned artists.

This year, the premiere of the program's show will take place in an important theater in the north of the country. Over two nights, the ten young dancers from all over Portugal will perform on the stage of Teatro Nacional São João, in Porto, and will perform Sol León & Paul Lightfoot's emblematic piece _Sad Case_ and Douglas Lee's new creation. 

To go along with the presentation of the two pieces, the short film directed by Mário J. Negrão, who followed the dancers and choreographers during the creation phase at EVC, will be screened for the first time. The short film aims to show us the director's unique vision of the program, allowing us to get a glimpse of the learning and sharing process he witnessed. 

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Território VI

Já na sua 6ª edição, o programa _Território_, dedicado a jovens bailarinos entre os 14 e os 18 anos, convida coreógrafos de incontestável relevância internacional, dando todos os anos a oportunidade a vários talentosos alunos de dança de trabalhar e aprender com criadores de renome.

Este ano, a estreia absoluta do espetáculo final do programa terá lugar num importante teatro do norte do país. Ao longo de duas noites, os dez jovens bailarinos vindos de todo o Portugal irão atuar no palco do Teatro Nacional São João, no Porto, e irão interpretar a emblemática peça de Sol León & Paul Lightfoot _Sad Case_ e a nova criação de Douglas Lee. 

A acompanhar a apresentação das duas peças, será projetada pela primeira vez a curta-metragem realizada por Mário J. Negrão, que esteve a acompanhar os bailarinos e os criadores durante as semanas de criação nos EVC, para nos mostrar a sua visão singular do programa, permitindo que espreitemos o processo de aprendizagem e partilha a que assistiu. 

Território VI - ESTREIA

Already in its 6th edition, the _Territory_ program, dedicated to young dancers between the ages of 14 and 18, invites choreographers of unquestionable international relevance, giving the opportunity for several talented dance students to work and learn with renowned artists. Throughout its various editions, _Territory_ has already welcomed more than 70 young people from all over the country, from about 40 dance schools spread over more than 30 Portuguese cities. In 2023, 10 dancers were selected through dance education institutions in Alcobaça, Braga, Coimbra, Faro, Lisboa, Porto, Vale do Sousa and Vila Nova de Gaia.

Every year, EVC invites an acclaimed and an emerging choreographer to lead the program. Featuring the presentation of a new creation, a must-see reprise, and the premiere of a short film by a promising young director, this year the program is honored to welcome choreographer duo Sol León & Paul Lightfoot, choreographer Douglas Lee and director Mário J. Negrão.

The selected dancers will have the opportunity to benefit from the knowledge and aesthetic vision of the guest choreographers, in a professionalizing experience that promotes a diverse and inclusive outlook. Offering the Portuguese audience the possibility to watch, in some cases for the first time, international and contemporary works, in previous editions the program has already featured names such as Wayne McGregor, Marco Goecke, Marcos Morau or Alexander Ekman. 

With a professional background as dancers, León & Lightfoot are renowned choreographers who have been active for more than 30 years. Working together since 1989, they have created more than 60 pieces for the Nederlands Dans Theater. 

In _Territory VI_, the duo, who will be in Portugal for the first time, will rehearse and present a reprise of the reference play _Sad Case_, performed by the participants. Created in 1998, when Sol was pregnant with her daughter, _Sad Case_ is now celebrating 25 years of existence and is one of the main cornerstones of the choreographers' work.

Douglas Lee, who will create and present a new piece with the young dancers, graduated from the Royal Ballet School and was principal dancer at the Stuttgart Ballet, where he began choreographing, and later developed a career as a freelance artist.

_Territory VI_ will also have the collaboration of Mário J. Negrão, winner of the Territory Award | Estúdios Victor Córdon in the category of Best Portuguese Director at InShadow - Lisbon ScreenDance Festival 2022. With his own visual identity, the artist will present us his perspective on the program through a new short film to be projected in the show. 

After premiering at Teatro Nacional S. João (Porto), the show will wrap up the Millennium Festival ao Largo (Lisbon) and then head to Leiria, where the last performance will take place.



Territory VI - PREMIERE