LOS ANGELES – “Time to dream” is a collection of short dance films that acknowledge oppressive forces of the past and present, to envision a better future, choreographed by Marianna Varviani. The award-winning dance film collection was created during the global pandemic, while racially-driven crimes and social injustices were openly broadcast, showing the depth of a flawed system. In the hope of change, it incorporates the ideas of group dynamics, oppression, and liberation within our bodies along with snapshots of individual journeys of people trying to come together, to re-evaluate and reshape their ways to achieve peace, freedom, and joy.

The collection of films is currently touring in festivals in the USA, Europe, and Asia.

Marianna Varviani’s upcoming projects feature: Art Truck L.A., is a mobile stage hosting live performances in different locations in Los Angeles. Currently in pre-production, this project focuses on creating communal experiences in public space, making performances accessible to everyone. Untwine is her new choreographic work exploring the journey of overcoming and growth after a transformative period. Untwine is a celebratory dance focusing on the embodiment of joy. Part of the performance will be presented in September at the San Pedro Festival of the Arts.

About

Marianna Varviani is a Greek, Los Angeles-based choreographer. She has worked in the U.K., Brazil and Greece, in theatre, dance, and film. She is the artistic director and founder of SelcouthCompany, and the co-founder of Ha! Theatre Ensemble.

Selcouth creates, curates, and produces works to invoke, empower and inspire its audiences. Each interdisciplinary project aims to create interactive art experiences that relate to the time and space we live in. Selcouth’s ideals center around understanding, diversity, respect and liberation. Selcouth invites collaborators and audiences of all backgrounds, ages and interests, hoping to bridge concert, street, commercial and academic cultures.

Varviani is interested in facilitating communal experiences and interactions, creating works that are connected to current realities. Through her choreography, devising, and storytelling, she deploys interdisciplinary approaches to create holistic artistic performances. She works with an amalgam of elements, inspired by everyday gestures, traditional forms as well as contemporary movement expressions, in order to create a hybrid aesthetic.

*Selcouth_ (adj.): unfamiliar, rare, strange, and yet marvelous

Film Credits

Choreographer: Marianna Varviani | Creative Collaborators: Miel Lei Apostol, Lane Fricke, Alexis Iritani, Tyler Law, Obiageli Ogbodo, Maya Peterson, Maasai Piliavin –