CHOREOGRAPHY

2 Things Existing at Once

Mainfranken Theater
Würzburg, Germany
2025

Performers:
Marta Maestrelli
Christian Lavigne

Our world is shaped by polarity. 2 Things Existing at Once is a quiet act of resistance — a space where duality is met not with conflict, but with tenderness and playfulness. This work welcomes the coexistence of contradictions, offering a gentle protest against binary thinking and an invitation to hold opposing truths with grace.

(10 min)

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Held & Rocked

Staatstheater Augsburg
Germany
2023

This work is inspired by readings of The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body In the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D..

"My humanity is caught up, inextricably bound up, in yours” -Desmond Tutu

We live in a world of crisis. Existing together, on a spectrum ranging from terror and trauma, to joy and love. This work touches on the potential of embracing, and swaying. It is an attempt to imagine harmonious futures inside of the chaotic nature of the human condition. It is an homage to the primitive, universal expression of care; to be cradled.

Held & Rocked is an exercise of empathy, and mindfulness; collective suffering and healing.

As we hold, we are held.

(20 min)

press

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An I, Learning You, Learning I

LAF (Leerstand als Freiraum)
Pforzheim, Germany
2021

Artificial Intelligence deep learning technologies are enabling machines to comprehend and emulate the human experience. This work is a part of the transformation of these tools; from control and surveillance, into another dimension of expression. “An I learning You, learning I” is not only an experiment in reimagining how these methods are used; it is a collaboration.

This work was developed during a month-long residency in the LAF offspace in Pforzheim, Germany. For this “solo” work, each day Ria would record herself and feed thousands of frames to an image generating Artificial Intelligence software. The algorithm generated new versions of these “disassembled selves”. Ria then translated these technomorph representations of her body into movement, poetry, and sculpture. Each day the machine and the human deepened their understanding of one another, and a unique form of collaboration emerged. The outcome was a two week exhibition including performance.

This work is centred on questions about (female) body representation/understanding, artistic creation/ownership, and power dynamics/structures.

(25 min)

portfolio

Full Video:

Dance of Future Past
Interior /Exterior Landscapes of Dystopia

Staatstheater Augsburg
Germany
2022

This work was created for the Klima Festival in Augsburg 2022 in collaboration with Emily Wohl, Adria Vilar, and Gonçalo Da Silva. Using all recycled materials, a dystopian world and complex landscape emerged. Taking place post climate catastrophes, “Dance of Future Past” is a pessimistic and satire comment on our fate. “Dance of Future Past” is centered on themes of humanity, ignorance, and apocalypse. This piece was performed in different variations; both in a traditional stage setting, and also outdoors.

(25 min)

Almost

The Dance Deck Neuf
Vancouver, Canada
2022

Almost is inspired by readings of Pleasure Activism by adrienne maree brown, and Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power by Audre Lorde. This work was originally created for an intimate, home-made stage that houses a performance series occurring each summer in the back alley of a popular neighbourhood in Vancouver, Canada. Almost touches on themes of proximity, climax, and trying. The work abstracts concepts from these readings out of the taboo or erotic, and into a realm of play and curiosity. The score for both the choreography and the sound of Almost are based on crescendos and swells - a subtle celebration of female pleasure. The work is rather understated and attempting seamlessness with the natural outdoor environment. Almost is rooted in our shared desire to exist inside of the thrill of a precipice; a little play for oneself on the edge.

(10 min)

CONTACT/CV

Email:
riagirard@gmail.com

photo credit

Instagram:
@riagirard

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@riagirard

Employment - Performer

Ballett - Staatstheater Augsburg
Augsburg, Germany
Dancer & Company Representative
September 2019 - January 2025
Direction: Ricardo Fernando

Ballett - Mainfranken Theater Würzburg
Würzburg, Germany
Dancer & Company Representative
January 2025 - July 2026
Direction: Dominique Dumais

Vidavè - Folklore Dynamics
Milan / Venice Biennale, Italy
June 2024 - July 2024
Direction: Noemi Dalla Vecchia and Matteo Vignali

Ballett - Theatre Pforzheim
Pforzheim, Germany
September 2018 - July 2019
Direction: Guido Markowitz and Damian Gmür

Inverso Productions
Vancouver, Canada
September 2017 - July 2018
Direction: Lesley Telford

Ballet BC
Vancouver, Canada
Apprentice - August 2016 - June 2017
Guest Artist - September 2015-March 2016
Direction: Emily Molnar

Kidd Pivot / Artsumbrella Collaboration - Singularity
Vancouver, Canada
2014
Direction: Crystal Pite

Employment - Choreographer

2 Things Existing at Once
Wurzburg, Germany
July 2025
Performed by: Marta Maestrelli and Christian Lavigne

Held & Rocked
Augsburg, Germany
May 2023
Performed by: Ballet of Staatstheater Augsburg

Dance of Future Past -
Interior/Exterior Landscapes of Dystopia
Augsburg, Germany
May 2022
Performed by: Ballet of Staatstheater Augsburg

Almost
Vancouver, Canada
August 2022
solo work
Presented by The Dance DeckNeuf

Exhibitions

An I, Learning You, Learning I
Pforzheim, Germany
July 2021
solo work
P erformance and exhibition presented by: LAF (Leerstand als Freiraum)

Education

Arts Umbrella Dance Diploma Program
Vancouver, Canada
2013-2015
Direction: Artemis Gordon

Choreographic Mentorship Program
Vancouver, Canada
2014
Direction: Crystal Pite

ria girard

ABOUT

portaits

Ria Girard (she/her, 1995) is a FLINTA* performer and choreographer based in Germany. After completing her training at Arts Umbrella (Vancouver, Canada) in both classical and contemporary dance, Ria has spent over a decade honing her craft professionally across Germany, Italy, and Canada. Full time contracts include Ballet BC (Vancouver, Canada), Theater Pforzheim (Germany), and Staatstheater Augsburg (Germany). She has also worked as a dancer and choreographer with project based companies, and in non-profit spaces.

Ria regularly reflects on the global value of her art, and asks how to better utilise the universality that is movement. Curiosity and collaboration fuel her interest in performance and creation. Drawing from her experience in traditional theater, Ria also immerses herself in multidisciplinary work, which extends to writing, visual art exhibitions, and outreach workshops.

The driving force of Ria's artistic practice is a commitment to her radical dreams for a better world, with compassion and playfulness at the forefront of her process.

riagirard@gmail.com
@riagirard
https://www.youtube.com/@riagirard