Artistic director and choreographer of Fool's Cap

Vinicius Carvalho, artistic director and choreographer

      Brazilian choreographer and performer living in France, Vinicius initially trained in Performing Arts at the University of Campinas in Brazil. He discovered the languages of the mask and physical theater thanks to the director, Alice K, with whom he collaborated as a performer in her creations (“O Caderno da Morte” and “Morte e Vida Severina”) and toured throughout the state of Sao Paulo. Following that, he specialized in corporeal mime in London for three years with the company Théâtre de L’Ange Fou with whom he performed for two seasons in the United States. Back from this country, he started his own company, Fool’s Cap. His first solo, “Hans Pfaall”, was supported by Arts Council England working with refugees from the Migrants Center in London.

         Discovering Contemporary dance and Contact improvisation in France, Vinicius enriched his practice with several choreographic artists such as Carolyn Carlson, Ambra Senatore, Antonija Livingstone, Vania Vaneau, Sam Amos (Trash Dollys), Wanjiru Kamuyu, Sherwood Chen, Denise Namura (À Fleur de Peau), Jan Fabre (Troubleyn), Emma Bigé, Asaf Bachrach, Matthieu Gaudeau, Brandon Lagaert (Pepping Tom), Sofia Nappi (Komoco) and Diego Alvarez Sanou (Ultima Vez).


        In 2016, he established his company Fool’s Cap and since then he created three shows for the stage and more than five site-specific performances commissioned by historical monuments in France. His works toured Europe, the United Kingdom, India, Brazil and South Korea. In 2021, Vinicius is accompanied as a choreographer by La Fabrique de la Danse.


       Passionate about pedagogy, he has been teaching his knowledge to professionals and amateurs for more than fifteen years in France and abroad. In 2024, he initiated the territorial project, Dan(s) le Quartier, around dance intended for the local public of the Pablo Picasso neigboughood in Montreuil.


        Beyond his own creations, Vinicius has performed for: Cie. DesEquilibres (A Transfigured Night), In-Senso (Securintimicy), Stela Stankovic (Medea), Les cris de l’horizon (Abuela), Cie. 2x0, Theatre Porto (Adrift), Elsa Chêne (MUR/MER), Ambitus Theatre, Theater de l’Ange Fou, Cia. ZeroZero (O Caderno da Morte) and Os Geraldos (Numeros).


       Teaching credits include: University of Central London; University of Essex; Conservatoire National Supérieur D’Art Dramatique; Micadanses; Physical Fest; The Drama School Mumbai; Identity School of Acting.

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Performer and associated artist of Fool's Cap

Marianna Cifarelli, danser and associated artist

        Originally from the South of Italy, Marianna is a versatile artist having trained in modern and contemporary dance and in the art of puppetry. Her artistic career was complemented by university research. She received a theatre research grant from the Sorbonne Paris 3, where she explored the questions concerning stage writing and dramaturgy. She embarked on a professional career as a dancer, performer and dramaturgy assistant working in various contemporary dance, physical theatre and visual theatre projects, notably with: Marie-do Févral (cie Bouche à Bouche), cie Mangano-Massip (Paris), Daniele Ninarello (Italy), Sharon Fridman, Collettivo, Claudia Castellucci (Biennale di Venezia - Italy), William Kentridge, Aurora Pica (Italy) ), Gloria Pomardi (Italy), Mvula Sungani (Italy). Currently she works with Pietro Marullo (Aerowaves Twenty18 Artist), the Fool’s Cap company (Paris), the Mangano-Massip company (Paris) and El Caracol company (Belgium).