International Presentations

Repertoire

Credits

        Antares was formed in 1987 in Hermosillo, in the state of Sonora, Mexico; to this date the group’s hometown. From that day forward, its scenic performance has been regarded as one of the most consistent artistic manifestations of the last years. Antares’ work has amazed and thrilled different audiences; their presence of stage conveys the feeling of being before a dance conceived with precise objectives, supported by high level techniques and the expression of experiences acquired from the various teachers and companies which have constituted the dancers’ curricula.

       The company has performed on several international stages and at the most outstanding national festivals, such as the "lmágenes Móviles" (Moving Images) Season of the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts) and "Diez Años, Diez Coreógrafos" (Ten Years, Ten Choreographers), both in Mexico City.  In 1989 Elsa Verdugo received the DIF Provincial Award granted by the National Dance Festival of San Luis Potosí to the best performers; and in the same Festival, Miguel Mancillas was awarded honors in the 1988 and 1990 editions.

       The group was awarded a scholarship by the Fondo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes (National Fund for Culture and Arts) during 1989-90.

       During the same time, in 1989, Antares won the First Contest for Choreographic Projects, organized by the Direction of Dancing of the INBA (National Institute of Fine Arts) with the performance "A Invierno por Heliópolis" (Winter in Heliopolis).

       In 1992 Antares was granted a scholarship by the Programa Cultural para las Fronteras (Cultural Program for the Borders), to work at grade schools and smaller towns around Sonora.

       The group has worked in residencies in the ITASCA Community College of Minnesota as well as in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  From 1992 to date, it has sustained an ongoing exchange with the Dance Center of Columbia College in Chicago, Ill., through the implementation of residencies and choreographic projects.

       Antares has worked hand in hand with different agencies and institutions, in production and broadcasting of artistic events as well as in the areas of dance education and promotion. It has also given theoretical and practical dance courses in Hermosillo and in Mexico City.

       The Danza Contemporánea a los Maestros (Contemporary Dance to the Masters) is a program which has been implemented by Antares for two consecutive years (1990 - 1992), in coordination with the Cultural Direction of CONACULTA at Sonora’s Teaching School.

       The group has co-organized the International Show Un Desierto para la Danza (a Dessert for Dancing) together with the Institute for Culture of Sonora, in its second, fourth and sixth editions; in 1994, 1996 and 1998, respectively.

       In 1996 Antares became the first independent group in the sate of Sonora to sign a three-party agreement with the two most important cultural agencies, the University of Sonora and the Institute for Culture of Sonora.

In 1997 Antares was granted a scholarship by the State of Sonora to participate in the First Contest for Border Cultural Training Projects, organized by CONACULTA. 

       Also, the Tiro al Blanco (Bull’s-Eye) Project, conceived by Miguel Mancillas, was selected by the National Foundation for Culture and Arts (FONCA), during the Program to Foster Cultural Projects and Co-Investments in its ninth edition, and received as a result a federal scholarship for its production and promotion.

       During November 1997, Antares’ choreographer Miguel Mancillas received the Continental Award for Contemporary Dancing, and was singled out as the best male interpreter of the event. He was also awarded for the best wardrobe and the best usage of scenic resources. In 1999, he received the SOMEC-VITARS Award to the most outstanding contemporary presentation.