Two steps forward, one step back (2025)

Vilnius dance theater Low Air presents the premiere of “Two steps forward, one step back”. Dance artist Joseph Simon first encountered dance through breakdance culture, and today he explores the intersections of ballet, house, and contemporary dance, seeking dialogue between different techniques and philosophies.

In “Two steps forward, one step back” Joseph collaborates with four young Lithuanian dancers who have completed their dance studies abroad and have a strong foundation in classical and street dance. Two of them are alumni of Low Air theater: Ugnė Irena Laurinavičiūtė studied dance in the Amsterdam University of the Arts, and Vaiva Paukštė studied in the Codarts University in Rotterdam. Gabrielle Emily Aidulis returned from abroad to Lithuania after studying in ArtEZ University of the Arts in the Netherlands, while Urtė Groblytė studied in P.A.R.T.S. contemporary dance school in Brussels.

Joseph Simon’s latest work, “Two steps forward, one step back”, was born out of his ongoing research cycle “Ballet Fantasies”. The performance expands the boundaries of classical ballet by incorporating street and club dance culture. The performance explores how two different worlds of dance – institutional dance and dance based on community and liberation – can coexist in one body. It raises questions not only about aesthetics and technique, but also about power and freedom of action, the relationship between tradition and progress, lightness and weight.

This is the first work by a foreign choreographer produced by the Low Air duo, Airida Gudaitė and Laurynas Žakevičius.

Information

Premiere: 2025

Duration: 45′

Dancers and co-authors: Vaiva Paukštė, Gabrielle Emily Aidulis, Ugnė Irena Laurinavičiūtė, Urtė Groblytė

Music: Adas Gecevičius

Outside view / Dramaturgy: Liza Baliasnaja; Zoé Lecorgne

Costumes / scenography: Izabelė Narečionytė

Lighting design: Tomas Stonys, Valerij Davydov

Graphic design: Saša Kochan

Excerpts from: Adaptation of Jules Perrot’s Pas de Quatre by Anton Dolin with Carla Fracci, Margrethe Schanne, Josette Amiel, Kirsten Bundgaard, 1968;
Swan Lake – Pas de Quatre (Dance of the Little Swans);
Gerhard Zacharias “Ballet – Gestalt und Wesen. Die Symbolsprache im europäischen Schautanz der Neuzeit”, Noetzel, Florian Verlag, 1993.

Produced by: Vilnius city dance theater Low Air

Finansed by: Lietuvos kultūros taryba

Special thanks to: Vaiva Paukštė, Gabrielle Emily Aidulis, Zoé Lecorgne, Žilvinas Beniuševičius – “PRO Baletas” academy, Vilnius city dance theater Low Air

Tours

See us live – upcoming performances

2025 12 04

Kaunas • Lietuva

2025 12 21

Vilnius • Lietuva

Awards and nominations

Nominuoti Auksiniam Scenos Kryžiui (Geriausių metų šokėjų kategorijoje, 2024)

Nominuoti Auksiniam Scenos Kryžiui (Geriausios choreografijos kategorijoje, 2024)

Reviews

Ugnė Kačkauskaitė, dance.lt, 2025-02-03