Chiara Bersani
Michel – The Animals I Am

- 20.11 — 22.11 2025
- Performances
- CAM - Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian
- ages 6+
From one to many: a dance piece about care, transmission of a repertoire, listening, and presence.
After years creating solo work, Chiara Bersani expands her choreographic universe to include a chorus of non-conforming bodies. Following an invitation from Alkantara and CAM, who co-commission this new work, Michel – The Animals I Am is motivated by the desire to transform exception into collectivity; an intimate gesture into a choral event.
The “Michel” in the title evokes Michel Petrucciani, a celebrated jazz pianist, who had the same genetic condition as Bersani. She references him here not to single out his artistic genius, but rather to summon a multitude: look, we are many. On stage, three Italian performers – who are collaborating with Bersani for the first time – become “a chorus of many Michels, many brilliant people with non-conforming bodies.”
Michel – The Animals I Am gestures towards a broader, shared effort: to create trajectories for disabled artists to grow, work, and be seen.
Credits
Original idea, directed and performed by María del Mar Suárez (La Chachi) Vocals Lola Dolores Guitar Francisco Martín Percussion Isaac García Light Azael Ferrer Sound Pablo Contreras Text Cristian Alcaraz External eye Alberto Cortés Costumes Nantú Audiovisual 99páginas/ Tandem759 Graphic Design Tiquismiquis.club Tour producer Inés Lambisto
Communication and management Luisa Hedo Supported by Universidad de Málaga, Junta de Andalucía, Fundación Nina Carasso

Chiara Bersani is an Italian performer and author active in the field of performing arts, research theater and contemporary dance. As an interpreter and as a director / choreographer moves through different languages and visions. Her works, presented in international circuits, are born as creations in dialogue with spaces of different nature and are mainly aimed at a “neighbor” to the scene. Her research as an interpreter and author is based on the concept of the “Political Body” and the creation of practices aimed at training its presence and action. The...