Our Team
ANTHONY HEINL
Founder and Artistic Director of Evolution Dance Theater
Born in the United States, Anthony Ryan Heinl has transformed his passion for dance and technology into a unique artistic path, which has led him to perform on the most prestigious stages in the world.
A Graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music, Dance and Theatre,
From 2001 to 2006 he was a dancer in Momix , taking part in iconic productions such as Lunar Sea, SunFlowerMoon, Opus Cactus, Momix in Orbit, Best of Momix, Momix Classics and Supermomix. With momix he performed in over 1,500 shows in more than 20 countries,
In 2006 he began collaborating in Italy with Emiliano Pellissari of No Gravity and Gianni Melis of Momix, contributing to the creation “of the show Comix (Teatro Parioli in Rome).
2007 he participated in the creation of the show ”Why” by Daniel Ezralow. And performed for one season with the company
2008 he founded Evolution Dance Theater, a company that combines dance, acrobatics, illusionism and technology to create unique visual experiences. The debut took place at the Teatro Rossini in Rome, marking the beginning of a path of international success.
2009 he was chosen as choreographer for the Ithere he created FIREFLY, commissioned by Vladimir Derevianko, artistic director of Magalian National Ballet of Florence(MaggioDAnza)
2014 he began collaborating with Selection Srl, creating shows for Costa Crociere,
2015 he created The Magic of Light for Walt Disney USA.
2016 he won first place in the SIAE Sillumina competition, recognized for his ability to promote Italian culture in the world. In 2017 he received a plaque of merit from the Assarotti Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, for his commitment to making live performances accessible to audiences with sensory disabilities. In the same year he curated a special performance for the David di Donatello Award, in homage to Roberto Benigni.
2018 he collaborated with the MIUR for the Scuola in Digitale project, aimed at promoting theater education in Italian schools. In 2020 he was selected among the finalists of the "Vivere all’Italiana sul Palcoscenico" competition, promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and collaborated with 101% Film Production for the creation of motion capture projects, combining dance and cinematographic technology.
2021 he took part in the centenary of Astor Piazzolla, collaborating with Cuartetango and the Istituto Italo-Latino Americano (IILA) for the fusion between music and contemporary dance. In the same year he curated the choreography and motion capture performance for the video clip Aldo Ritmo di Salmo, using cutting-edge 3D technologies.
2023 he brought his innovative style to China, collaborating with the cruise ship Adora for the creation of the show Magic City, which combines dance, illusionism and advanced technology to offer an immersive experience to the on-board audience.
Anthony Heinl is recognized for his innovative use of stage technology, with sets that integrate fiber optics, UV lights, lasers, and optical illusions. And is a certified European laser safety officer.
In addition to artistic direction, he is dedicated to the training of young talent, leading workshops at international dance academies.
Nadessja Casavecchia
Co-Artistic Director of Evolution Dance Theater
Dancer, choreographer and creator of unique visual experiences, Nadessja Casavecchia is the organizational and creative heart of Evolution Dance Theater, a company that blends dance, illusionism, acrobatics and stage technology. Her career has led her to collaborate with some of the biggest names in international dance and to develop a visionary style that goes beyond the boundaries of traditional performance.
She trained at the Paolo Grassi School of Dramatic Arts in Milan, perfecting her preparation with a Master at the CODARTS Rotterdam Dance Academy in the Netherlands. Her artistic path is enriched by experiences with world-renowned choreographers, including Krisztina de Châtel, Stephen Shropshire, Ed Wubbe and K. Ossola (ex Nederlands Dans Theater). She has participated in important productions such as Millimetri (Venice Biennale, 2005), In-ten-sive (Holland Dance Festival, 2005) and Aller Ziele by Ed Wubbe (Scapino Ballet).
After a period of work with the Austrian company X.Ida in Linz, she brought her artistic research to Italy and the Netherlands, presenting her creations Silent Words and B-Light, the latter winner of the Milano in Digitale competition.
In 2008, together with Anthony Heinl, she founded Evolution Dance Theater, a company that redefines the boundaries of contemporary dance by combining interactive scenography, light effects and optical illusions. In addition to artistic direction, she deals with choreography, administrative management and the creation of costumes and scenography.
She has contributed to the creation of 6 shows that have toured the world:
Nadessja has curated projects for Costa Crociere, Walt Disney USA and the David di Donatello Award, as well as having collaborated with institutions such as MaggioDanza in Florence and the MIUR for theater training programs in schools.
Nadessja Casavecchia is an expert in the i of optical fibers, UV lights, lasers and digital scenography, contributing to the development of implementation of new technologies for the theater. In addition to artistic direction, she dedicates herself to the training of young dancers and performers, holding workshops at academies and institutes throughout Italy.
An innovative vision of dance
With an approach that combines elegance, innovation and multidisciplinarity, Nadessja Casavecchia continues to push the boundaries of contemporary dance, transforming the stage into a place of experimentation, emotion and spectacle.