Abdel-Halim Caracalla
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Abdel-Halim Caracalla is the founder and the artistic director of the Lebanese dance company Caracalla Dance Theatre, a company which would evolve into the first and most prominent dance theatre of the Middle East, creating a new language based upon the disciplines of western technique intertwined with the identity, movement and traditions of Arab cultural heritage.
Since 1968 Caracalla created over twenty ballets and musicals including adaptations of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Taming of the Shrew and Much Ado About Nothing.
Recipient of numerous acclaimed awards the Caracalla Dance Theatre captured global press recognition and collaborates with internationally renowned artists, pioneers in the world of the performing arts. The company has succeeded in establishing its own theatre in Beirut, which is home to the leading Caracalla Dance School. Caracalla also has extensive archival research in dance, music, literature, costumes and traditions, consolidating its rich heritage as it celebrates its landmark 50th anniversary.
Abdel Halim Caracalla was born in 1940 in Heliopolis – City of the Sun – one of the most formidable ancient Roman cities of the world, where the temples of Jupiter, Bacchus and Venus, stand majestically in the Bekaa valley of Lebanon. Heliopolis, known today as Baalbeck, is where Caracalla spent his childhood inspired by these temples and grew to become the pole vaulting champion of Lebanon and the Arab world under the commanding upbringing of his Greek coach who installed in him the Spartan spirit. Baalbeck was also home to the renowned International Arts Festival which attracted the most famous artists from around the world. Inspired by the dance companies which were performing every summer in front of the Roman temples, Caracalla was mesmerized by the skill of the dancers and their ability to move with such grace and perfection. It wasn’t long thereafter that Caracalla, at the height of his athletic ability, hung up his sports attire and followed the call of his destiny.
For a young man from Lebanon and the Arab world, let alone from Baalbeck, to embark in the early 60s in search of learning how to dance, was an unthinkable career frowned upon. Against the wishes of his family and against all odds, Caracalla embarked in pursuit of his ambitions and dreams, challenging time and era, home and country, and made his way to London to discover the world of dance.
In a twist of fate, Caracalla became student at the London School of Contemporary Dance where he received his Master’s in Choreography under none other than Martha Graham, who forever would leave her mark on the young apprentice.