During his seven-year career in Europe, dancer Spenser Theberge followed in some famous footsteps.
Not just performing on stages that had been graced by earlier generations of dancers.
There were other legends who shared their talents decades ago — even centuries ago — in those venues.
Vivaldi. Bach. Mozart.
Their music is part of the fabric of theaters and concert halls that now are world heritage sites, even though they might not meet modern building codes.
“In Italy, there are still wooden theaters that are insanely gorgeous, with the fire marshal standing by” during performances, Theberge said. “Just in case.
“You see the names of composers who premiered their works there: Vivaldi and Puccini,” said the 2005 graduate of Vancouver School of Arts and Academics
In Vienna, the names commemorated inside the concert halls include Mozart and Bach; and in Germany, he said, Wagner.
Some German performance spaces created another category of goosebumps: former Nazi sites.
The idea of turning them into theaters and concert halls was something of a metaphor, Theberge said.
“Let’s do something that’s about creating art in a space that is so horrific. There were chills for sure, the first time” performers considered their surroundings.
“People think about what they’re contributing in that physical location.”
And in Italy and the south of France, he danced in old amphitheaters and outdoor theater sites built by the Romans.
Oddly enough, those were not intimidating places. More like liberating, he said, as Theberge considered his place in the history of those theaters.
“Relax. Don’t be nervous. It’s not about you. Feel free to do your best,” Theberge said. “There were a million shows before you, and there will be thousands after you.
“Enjoy it.”
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