Born in Italy in 1972.

She graduated from the Schweizeriche Ballett Berufsschule of Zurich in 1992 and worked with several contemporary dance companies in Italy.

In 1995, looking for a more personal choreographic language, she settles in Brussels and goes on training courses in PARTS (led by A.T. De Keersmaeker and given by F. Schirren, E. Carpenter, D. Duzinsky, L. Gries, E. Corbet, G. Elie Octors, A.T. De Keersmaeker & T. De Mey).

She collaborates as a freelance in young contemporary artists’ projects (Tom Pliscke, David Jourdance & Riina Saastamoinen).

She joins Michèle Anne De Mey’s company for the creation of Katamenia (quartet for four interpreters on F. Schubert’s music) and for Thierry De Mey’s movie, 21 études à danser.

Since 1998, she has started a personal research and has created the following pieces:

 

ENNESIMA

Solo, choreography & dance: Manuela Rastaldi

Original music: Thierry De Mey

Production: Astragale – Cie. M.A De Mey

Creation: 1998

 

TRA

Trio, choreography: M. Rastaldi

With Annabelle Chambon, Riina Saastamoinen & M. Rastaldi

Original music: Thierry De Mey

Coproduction: APAP (Advancing Program Performing Arts) & Szene Salzburg

With the support of: Cie. M. A. De Mey, Dans in Kortrijk

Creation: 2000

 

STANZE#

A series of performances – interventions on several sites peculiar to the Ourhouse festival in Genk (Belgium) in September 2000, at the Tack-Toren opening in the Dans Festival in Kortrijk in winter 2001, at the Espacio Alfama during the Dances na Cidade Festival in Lisbon in June 2011, etc..

 

STANZE # 4

Choreography – performance: M. Rastaldi

Music: Bernard Fort

Video images: Thierry De Mey, M. Rastaldi

Coproduction: Ennesima asbl, Dans in Kortrijk

Creation: 2001 in Salzburg/Szene

 

In 2001, she participates as an interpreter/choreographer in Thierry De Mey’s installation:

Deep in the Woods in which she creates a sequence on a scene of Maurice Ravel’s ballet, Ma mère l’Oye.

 

LOOM

Concept – choreography: M. Rastaldi

With Julie La porte, Gemma Higginbotham, Manuela Rastaldi, Uiko Watanabe

Music: Charo Calvo, Thierry De Mey

Lights: Jan Maertens, Manuela Rastaldi

Coproduction: Dans in Kortrijk, Szene Salzburg, Halles de Schaarbeek Brussels

With the support of the Ministry of the Flemish Cultural Affairs

Creation: 2002

 

SOFFICI IMMAGINI

Video installation

Concept/development/editing: Manuela Rastaldi

Camera: Florence Le

Creation: 2003/04

 

 

In May/September 2006, Manuela Rastaldi works as a coach with the FTS Company (Folkwang Tanz Studio) of Essen (Germany) and as an assistant for

'13 reasons' by M. A. De Mey.

 

In 2007, she choreographs 'Les rues de Gibellina' for the shooting of Thierry De Mey’s installation – From Inside – created during the 2007’s Charleroi Danses biennial at the Center for Fine Arts of Brussels.

 

SPECCHI

Concept/choreography: M. Rastaldi

With Julie La porte, Constance Neuenschwander, Mikiko Sagawa & Silvana Suarez

Lights: Jan Van Gijsel

Sound design: Mathilde Billaud

Production: Margarita, Ennesima, Théâtre National de Bretagne, BUDA (Kortrijk),

Charleroi Danses, Kaaitheater, Stuck (Leuven)

Creation: 2007-2008

 

In 2009/2010, she collaborates with Jean Geoffroy (percussionist/teacher in Lyon, Paris) for the creation of the duo – Just a walk – on J. S. Bach music.

In 2010, she is the choreographic assistant and interpreter for Thierry De Mey’s video installation – Rémanences – created in Mons for the Via Festival and incorporated into the Dancing Machines exhibition (Créteil, Lille).

 

In 2010/2011, she leads a research project: drop the unnecessary.

Production: Ennesima

With the support of the Dance Commission of the Flemish Community

Lights: Jan Van Gijsel

Music: Jean Geoffroy

 

Since 2012, she has been working regularly for the Choreographic Center of the Wallonia – Brussels Federation – Charleroi Danses – for several artistic projects:

 

• Rerun of Lamento (M. A. De Mey), choreographic assistant

• Coach of TRACELESS, Ensemble Intercontemporain (Paris, music project/choreography)

 

For a few years now, she has been combining a regular mentor activity with teaching.

In fact, she is the artistic assistant of Thierry De Mey’s project – Taxinomie – which will premiere during Mons 2015 and since 2014, she has been a regular jury member of the final examination of Antwerpen/Artesis Dance Conservatory.

She also gives classes to children and adults (creative movements for kids, non-professional).

She regularly works with elderly suffering from Alzheimer by supporting them and offering them creative activities.

Since september 2017 she is regularly replacing M.A.De Mey for the piece Coold Blood (from Collectif Kiss and Cry) for international tours.

 

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