International Collaboration ConCuerpos Colombia and the Netherlands 2025

Laisvie Andrea
Jun 10
2 min read

Updated: Aug 11

ConCuerpos Presents FOCARIS: Inclusive and Accessible Dance from Fire

An international co-production with the Julio Mario Santo Domingo Theater, and with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Colombia

The pioneering inclusive dance company ConCuerpos proudly announces the premiere of FOCARIS, an ambitious and visually striking dance production exploring fire as a symbol of gathering, protection, and transformation. This international co-production with Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo, and winner of a 2025 Grant from the Ministry of Culture of Colombia, brings together world-class artists from Colombia and the Netherlands in a powerful celebration of diversity, artistry, and accessibility.

Taking inspiration from the Latin origin of the word home (focus, meaning “fire”), FOCARIS International is crafted as a dialogue between the collective and the personal. Each performer—whether with or without a disability—reveals their own “inner fire” through movement, sound, and visual storytelling, resulting in a deeply human and emotionally resonant experience.

As ConCuerpos expands its artistic presence to the Netherlands, this production unites an exceptional team: professional dancers from both countries, a composer, an art director, and a lighting designer. The choreographic vision is led by Laisvie Ochoa (Colombia/Lithuania/Netherlands) and Diana León Guerrero (Colombia), whose complementary perspectives ignite a dynamic, multidimensional exploration of fire on stage.

Accessibility is at the heart of FOCARIS International. Sign language and creative audio description are not merely added for accommodation—they are fully integrated into the dramaturgy as expressive artistic languages. This groundbreaking approach ensures that audiences who are deaf or blind can experience the work on equal terms, challenging traditional notions of “adapted” performances and redefining accessibility in the performing arts.

Building on the company’s acclaimed productions—David (2017), ⅔ and a Bathroom (2020), IRA (2021), and Songbook for Absence (2023)—FOCARIS International consolidates ConCuerpos’ unique, accessible choreographic language: one that is expressive, inclusive, and profoundly transformative.