Culture
Stylize Productions receives outstanding ovation for “Outside the Box”
The crowd wants more!
That’s it, after three long months of hard work, the dancers of Stylize Productions can be proud of themselves. They premiered their new show “Outside the box” at the Zurich Theatre Spectacle Seebühne on August 27th with great success at a sold out performance.
The show the following day, also sold-out, left the 642 people speechless, clapping hands and asking for more.
Stylize Productions group photo copyright Véronique Gray
The ovation for the seven men (Gus, Sandro Minasi, Boots, Steve, Andy Müller, Daniel Borak, and Lavdrim Dzemailji) and two women (Natalie Wagner and Marcina de Almeida) in the group is well deserved. During their one hour show they gave all the energy they had, admirably mixing theater and dance.
With a large box in the middle, they danced in slow and rapid motions around the box, sometimes leaving the box or coming back to it. They played with the box, jumped on it, hide behind it or flirted with it; the box attracted the dancers until it pushed them away quickly. Everything was done so naturally.
The dancers’ movements were sometimes like robots and puppets. Other times they hold well appreciated break-dance competitions. Boots and Andy received much applause.
And there was another box in the show. Daniel found his tap dance shoes and started performing to the great pleasure of the spectators.
At last, a box fell from the ceiling. You will have to see the show to understand what it was all about!
Show August 28th, 2012 at the Theatre Spectacle Stylize Productions
Just amazing. They showed professionalism, passion, dedication and so much power.
They danced close to each other, running after one another without ever touching each other. It was so well done, it was perfection.
They made it look so easy.
“But, is breakdance easy?” I ask during my meeting with the group before the show. “I would not say that”, respond the group members.
Gus, Sandro and Boots from Stylize Productions
For Sandro, the artistic director of “Outside the Box”, breakdance is physical and harder on the body compared to other dances. However he does not think it is harder than another style. He really believes that if he had to learn ballet he would have a hard time, stressing on the word “hard”.
“Can anyone interested in breakdance learn it or do you think it is a born talent?”
For Daniel, who is known to be the tap dancer of the group, a dancer can learn the basics, but you need to start early. For certain movements it could be difficult later on, he sys. Sandro adds talent is always helpful but he stresses that if you really work hard you can achieve almost anything.
Daniel, Lavdrim, Nathalie and Steve from Stylize Productions
But how old were the members when they thought for the first time “I want to be a professional dancer”?
It varies from 5 years old for Daniel, to 10/11 for Lavdrim to 20/21 for Sandro.
Will the show “Outside the Box” continue after tonight? This all depends how people like it and support them after that. They certainly hope so. Otherwise it will go back to Stylize.
In any case no-one in the group will argue with that, that the Theater Spectacle has not been a fantastic experience. “It is a big opportunity for us, big stage, big everything, it is just BIG.”, says Sandro.
For a show like this they had to practice almost every day. They started three months ago and it has been very intense the last month. Lavdrim explains it depends on how fit they are and what they have to do, but they work together from 3 to 8 hours each time.
For those not too familiar with Stylize, the boys from Zurich and the Zurich Canton were discovered here in Switzerland after their amazing performance at the San Diego Culture Shock Showcase, California in 2009. The media sent a video back to their home country. “It went crazy it was the start of everything”, explains Sandro.
Since, the B-boys have been going to showcases, events, TV shows, in Switzerland but also in Finland, France, Italy & elsewhere.
The difference between Stylize and Stylize productions tells Sandro is that Stylize is a “guy thing”. Stylize Productions has two women with them and new men dancers, who normally don’t belong to the group. One of them is Sandro’s role model and first teacher, Gus. He comes from Los Angeles and has been teaching Hip Hop in many places worldwide.
The dancers have known each other for ages. All are making a living from dancing and teaching it. However Andy Müller works for an advertising agency in addition.
Marcina de Almeida and Andy Müller from Stylize Productions
Could any of the dancers imagine their life with dancing?
Quickly the word “No” keeps on repeating itself and the group members start laughing. Daniel puts its this way “it is my job, my everything, my work, my passion.”
Woah! If you see Daniel Borak perform you understand what he means, he loves what he does.
They all have role models. For Sandro it is clear, pressing on Gus’ shoulder. It is my first teacher, here next to me, he says proudly and smiling. Daniel has so many in the world of ballet and tap that he says if he started counting them it would take him too long.
For all the fans of Swiss Christmas, Stylize will not be performing there this as they did for the last two years. “Unfortunately it is not happening”, explains Sandro “but there are so many things we have to do, we have other plans”.
Steve and Natalie Wagner from Stylize Productions
The crowd here will surely miss them. And it is in Switzerland that the group believe they have the most fans. Yet, as they have dreams to one day conquer the hearts of other people in further away lands, Nathalie says smiling “You have to ask this question again in five years”:
Stylize would like to pursue in the near future with projects like the Theatre Spectacle. They have no firm plans yet but want to continue dancing and teaching.
Daniel Borak, Andy Müller and Sandro Minasi from Stylize after the Première of Swiss Christmas
What is your biggest dream for Stylize I ask the group before leaving?
Sandro responds first. For him he wants to enjoy the moment with the group on the stage, outside the stage and “Outside the Box”! Picturing himself five years from now is something he does not want to do. Daniel is positive that something good for he future is waiting for them with the many creative minds in the group.
And to those of you who always wanted to learn how to dance, no matter what kind of dance it can be, don’t be shy. Sandro confesses to me, it is never too late! So take some time, make some phone calls, check the internet for the classes available and try it out. You may be surprised how quickly you can learn!
For more information:
Stylize organizes group workshops from time to time. Click here for their official website. Natalie Wagner has her own production and company since 2006. Here is her website. Marcina de Almeida has her school. For more info click here. For who want to know more about the Theatre Spectacle, it is every year in Zurich starting Middle of August. Click here for more info.
