Caracalla Dance Theatre was started around 1970 by Abdel Halim Caracalla, a dancer from Baalbeck who studied with Martha Graham in New York and trained in theatre in Paris and London. The company built its style by mixing classical ballet, modern dance and Arab dance, staging stories drawn from regional heritage in large productions. It has been part of the Baalbeck International Festival since that festival's early decades. The founder's children now lead the work: Ivan Caracalla directs and Alissar Caracalla choreographs. Their production Kan Ya Ma Kan (Once Upon a Time) opened the 27th Beiteddine Art Festival in 2012, and was the first time the troupe performed with a live orchestra, the Lebanese Philharmonic.
Caracalla Dance Theatre at a glance
- Founded around 1970 by Abdel Halim Caracalla of Baalbeck
- Founder studied with Martha Graham in New York
- Now directed by Ivan Caracalla, choreographed by Alissar Caracalla
- Opened the 27th Beiteddine Art Festival in 2012
Who is behind Caracalla Dance Theatre
- Abdel Halim Caracalla (Founder). Source: english.ahram.org.eg
Frequently Asked Questions
What style of dance does Caracalla perform?
A blend of classical, modern and Arab dance, usually staged as large story-driven productions.
Who runs the company today?
Ivan Caracalla, the founder's son, directs, and Alissar Caracalla, his daughter, choreographs.
Where can I see them perform?
They often appear at Lebanon's major summer festivals, including Baalbeck and Beiteddine.