Evalina “Wally” Carbonell and Those We Carry
Known affectionately as “Wally,” Evalina Carbonell is passionate performer and creator—an innovator who creates sensual, inspired, highly physical dance that unearths humanity and frames it with clarity. A principal artist at Roxey Ballet Company, dancing as a principal artist from 2005 to 2011, she joined the internationally active Philadelphia company Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers in 2012. As a solo artist, she has presented nationally and locally, including at the last three Fringe Festivals (Traces of She, 2015; Fore-ign/Fore-out, 2016; Mujeres, 2017).
This year, Carbonell premieres her new work Carry Me, an evening-length dance work for five women dedicated to those we carry, those who carry us, and all that we carry inside. (Before the Fringe you can catch a preview 8/24 at The Gathering at the Sculpture Garden and “Dine with the Dancers” 8/29.) She told FringeArts what she’s carrying and what she hopes to communicate.
FringeArts: What are you carrying right now?
Evalina “Wally” Carbonell: At this very moment I am carrying, “Cain,” my son who is due to be born on November 21. I am also carrying the feelings from the rehearsal I just held; a blend of urgent, energized bursts of equal parts thrill and fluster. Lastly, I carry my head in my hand as I consider my strategy going forward.
FringeArts: How has the experience of motherhood affected your art?
Evalina “Wally” Carbonell: Motherhood has given me an increased appreciation of time, efficiency, creativity, generosity, fear, and flexibility. I have learned the values of improvisation and energetic momentum, as applied to life as well as dance. My art has become both more physically demanding, and emotionally fulfilling. The more I expend, the more I absorb. There is less time to waste and the risks I take feel more weighted.
FringeArts: How would you describe your dance style?
Evalina “Wally” Carbonell: My dance style is a highly physicalized blend of breath, emotion, technique, and spinal articulation which delights in contrasting rhythms, shifting levels, and unexpected quirks.
FringeArts: Who are some choreographers who influenced you?
They include Philly’s own Kun-Yang Lin (my artistic director at KYL/D), Azure Barton, Ann Van den Broek, and Andrea Miller.
FringeArts: What do you hope to communicate with Carry Me?
Evalina “Wally” Carbonell: I want to illuminate our abilities to both carry ourselves by carrying one another and to carry ourselves despite one another, as well as to draw our attention to the earth which carries us and fuels our life source. I want the audience to feel physically alive and connect that feeling to their emotions.
FringeArts: What role does the audience play in this piece?
Evalina “Wally” Carbonell: The audience is reflected in the experiences of the dancers. They see more of themselves by experiencing the journey to connect physical and emotional weight, which is given life in the dance.
FringeArts: What else are you looking forward to this Fringe Festival?
Evalina “Wally” Carbonell: I am looking forward to sharing what we have created in, Carry Me, and to witnessing the worlds other artists have crafted.
—Christopher Munden
What: Carry Me
When: September 7–9, 2018
Where: CHI Movement Arts Center, 1316 South Ninth Street
Cost: $20
Created by Evalina “Wally” Carbonell
FringeArts.com/8622