Olivier Tarpaga
Cie Olivier Tarpaga Dance Project
Burkina Faso-Etats-Unis

When Birds Refused to Fly is a contemporary, evening-length dance theatre project, choreographed by Olivier Tarpaga, set to the music of Orchestre Super Volta. Super Volta’s music reflects the celebratory, post-independence fevers raging across sub-Saharan Africa in the 1960’s and 70’s, in stark contrast to the painful struggle African Americans faced during their fight for Civil Rights in the United States. This ensemble piece explores, through music and movement, a generational transformation both cultural and geographic; examining what it is to build up and break down in the name of change.

Concept, Artistic Direction and Choreography: Olivier Tarpaga

Performance: Salamata Kobré, Oussséni Dabaré, Stéphane Michael Nana, Abdoul Aziz Zoundi

Dramaturg: Aristide Tarnagda

Lighting Design and Technical Director: Cyril Givort

Set and Prop Concept: Olivier Tarpaga in collaboration with V. Mitch McEwen

Architectural Concept and Design: Mitch McEwen

Additional Set Design: Sada Dao

Sound Design: Yvan Talbot

Video Design: Tiziana Manfredi

Costume Design: Sayouba Ouédraogo

Project Managers: Francois Bouda (Burkina Faso), Anna Drozdowski (USA)

Production: Olivier Tarpaga Dance Project

Co-production: Kelly Strayhorn Theater, Denison University, Choreography Development Center (CDC la Termitiere) in Ouagadougou, Espace culturel Napam Beogo, Burkina Faso, Charleroi Danse, Centre choré – graphique de Wallonie – Bruxelles, Belgium