Vania Masías and her company D1 arrive at the Breaking Convention: “We want to position the Peruvian style”

The D1 company, run by Vania Masias and made up of multidisciplinary dancers trained in artistic training programs, it will be presented at the Breaking Convention International Festival, which will take place in Sadler’s Wells (London, England), one of the most important stages in international dance.

D1 becomes the first Peruvian dance company at the Breaking Convention, an event with more than 10 years of experience, and as a prelude to its official presentations —on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1— Masías spoke with this medium to talk of the long road he had to travel to reach one of the most important stages in the world.

How was the selection for D1 to arrive at the Breaking Convention International Festival?

D1 is the only Latin American company that has been selected for the Breaking Convention International Festival, which takes place this weekend. There are about 20 companies around the world that have been selected by the artistic directors of the festival and by the founder Jonzi D. That makes me feel very proud of the work that each one of the guys reflects.

I understand that there will be two presentations that will be offered. What will the public see at Sadler’s Wells?

We are wearing a style that we want to position in the world and it is the Peruvian style. It is a fusion of street rhythms, such as hip hop and breaking mixed with the huaylas, the marinera, the scissors dance and the afro. In this way we want to position Peru, but from a modern perspective.

How does it feel to return to London with your company D1?

I developed my career in London, but I have never performed at Sadler’s Wells. My dream was to go on stage and dance there sometime, but this time my goal will be fulfilled through the boys (the members of the D1 company).

What do the members of D1 mean in your life?

D1 not only trains dancers, we strive to train citizens who are committed to making a social change. The guys who make up the company shake off the ‘dirt’ and have trained to death to get a spot at the Breaking Convention. I can only feel pride for them and for myself.

Your motto is: ‘dance is a tool for social change’. How strong is this phrase in your life?

I firmly believe in this motto and apply it in my life every day. Dance and performing arts are the most effective tools to work on emotions. If people want structural changes at an educational level, you have to work from emotions, which are what govern 90% of our actions.

Have you seen these changes in your boys?

Of course. At D1 we have stories of young people who have done stunts in the street and today have graduated from universities. It is not about being in the best school, they changed their mentality, where one is convinced that one is responsible for our future and one should not be blaming the person next to us for our misfortunes. We must not victimize ourselves and we must not expect them to solve your life. That is the methodology that I want to pass on to the boys of D1, for them to also send the same message to others.

In an interview in 2018, you mentioned that you felt frustrated with the stories of the young people who came to the company. Has this frustration changed?

I feel that Peru is a country with a lot of talent, but with few opportunities due to the level of corruption that exists. That is the greatest helplessness I have. The authorities should be more concerned not to lose so many talents. We are a rich country and I will always feel helplessness because it cannot be that there are people who have children to violate them or that they all fulfill the same cycle of terror. That is unacceptable, public education must change and improve.

How many members of your company have traveled to London to be part of the Breaking Convention?

There are 8 dancers, 4 boys and 4 girls who are traveling (to London). Of which 6 have come out of the Comprehensive Training program, which is our free program.

Will the show “Imagine Peru” be seen by the Peruvian viewer?

Of course. We had it planned before, but the pandemic paralyzed our plans. This show can be seen by all Peruvians in October 2022 and at the Gran Teatro Nacional. We will give more details soon.

What will the D1 company bring to the Breaking Convention International Festival?

The D1 delegation will bring the Peruvian style in its artistic proposal, through the show “Imagine Peru”, which tells the story of young leaders who, through dance, share their story of transformation, of empowered youth who manage to change I saw herdto many more. Each story has a message of resilience, of empowerment, of overcoming, of identity, of recognizing one another, of seeing ourselves as a community, as humans who must connect.

They will represent Peru at the Breaking Convention

Representing Peru on the stage of a theater with such a long history will mark a milestone in the path of many more young people who carry a message in their dance, a voice raised for the world. Today are Tiara Tagle, Atenas Zaldivar, Muriel Gracia, Brighit Mercado, Joel Fuentes, Jose de la Cruz, Jesus Pinto and Shinichi Tokumorithe young leaders who will cross borders to transform more lives of young people with their message.