The Company - Ballet Contemporáneo de Caracas

Executive Director: Offer Zaks

Founded in 1993 by Venezuelan born dancer and choreographer, MARIA EUGENIA BARRIOS, and by Israeli born dancer, OFFER ZAKS, the BALLET CONTEMPORANEO DE CARACAS (B.C.C.) has established itself in a record time, as one of the most successful dance companies in South America, setting new artistic standards and breaking box office records in Venezuelan theaters and abroad with its hit productions of Giuseppe Carbone’s acclaimed version of "CARMEN" and Maria Barrios "MIDSUMMER NIGHT´S DREAM" , “AMADEUS” and the new highly popular version of “CARMINA BURANA”.

The eclectic repertory of the company includes a variety of very effective works such as "OTHELLO", "AFTER EDEN", "THREE" and "MEDEA" by John butler, Jiri Kylian´s "NUAGES", Mauricio Wainrot´s “THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK” and “LIBERTANGO” , Mauro Galindo´s "FANDANGO" and “PLAY”, Nils Christe´s " WHIMS OF CUPIDS", Eddy Tousaint´s “BONJOUR BREL”, Thierry Malandain´s “MOZART-MAMBO”, Phillip trehét´s “ SONG OF SONGS”, and "LA TRAVIATA", “JERUSALEM” , “TANGO AND OTHER LOVES”, and the award winning "SHIVAA" By the BCC resident choreographer and artistic director- Maria Barrios.

The company has 16 highly skilled and energetic dancers, from Venezuela, Peru, Argentina, USA, and Australia. Increasingly popular with International festivals, the BCC has performed in Italy summer festivals ( 94,96,98, ) and Milano (99), Israel festival (95, 96, 98, 2001), Colombia ( 95, 97), Cuba (92, 94) and Sarajevo Winter, Bosnia (99), Rusia ( 2000), USA ( 2000) and China ( 2001).

The critics at the Int’l Dance Festival in La Habana, found the dancers: "... very sensual, handsome men and beautiful women ...", noted the dancing as "... dramatically expressive, technically brilliant ... " and emphasized the "...unusual stage presence and dramatic power ... of Miss Barrios and Mr. Zaks”. "El País" (Colombia) called the B.C.C. "... one of the best dance companies in the continent ... the highlight of the festival ". The Sarajevo “Evening Paper “ referred to the dancers as”… Cosmic dancers…explosive , of excellent dance technique… “ and to Carmen –“… the best performance in the winter 1998 festival…”.

In Caracas and throughout Venezuela the B.C.C. has had unprecedented success in repeated sold out engagements in their home Theater Teresa Carreño and the Central University Aula Magna with its regular programs and with its educational multimedia outreach program "LET´S DANCE", attended annually by 20.000 School kids. (available for touring)

Touring Programs for 2006-2007 include Midsummer Night’ s Dream, Amadeus, Tango and Other Loves, Carmina Burana, Rite of Spring, and Let’s Dance.

The BCC is funded by the Venezuelan Ministry of Education and Culture and the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry (touring) and by a growing number of private corporations. BCC has been a partner for cultural exchange projects with the embassies of France, Israel, Holland and Spain.

On tour the BCC travels with 20 – 24 members, including crew.

Ballet Contemporáneo de Caracas.
Teatro Alberto de Paz y Mateos. Av. La Colina. Prolongación Los Manolos. La Florida.
Caracas - Venezuela.Telf: +58 2 793.91.39. TelFax: +58 2 793.67.91