Colker began working as a movement director in 1984. She was involved in more 30 plays, working with Brazil's prominent director and actors.[2] She founded her dance company, the Companhia de Dança Deborah Colker, in 1993.[3] One of her early works was Velox, which explored movement and space and integrated movements from ordinary life.[3] It focused on fusing street, classical, and contemporary dances that do not only include dancers as performers, but also actors and fashion models.[4] One of the notable performances in the company's repertoire was Mix, which featured a collection of movements that investigate the physics of motion on a vertical stage.[5] This choreography won for Colker the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance in 2001.[6]
In 2009, she wrote, directed and choreographed the Cirque du Soleil production, Ovo.[7] Her works include 4 por 4 ("4 x 4"), which involved a quartet of dances that also featured high-class circus choreography.[8] This performance explored concepts such as containment, delicacy, limitation, daring, and transparency.[9]
Colker was responsible for the more than 6,000 volunteers who danced in the Rio Olympics opening ceremony.[10] She combined Velox and Rota performances, which were part of the repertoire of her dance company.[4]
Personal life
Colker is of Jewish Russian descent, her grandparents on both sides were Jewish Russians who immigrated to Brazil.[11][12]
