The famed Pearl Lang renamed her student Saba because before she could call out his name to correct him, “Sebastien Sabatier-Curial” was off the dance floor. Now her name for him extends to the New York-based Saba Dance Theater where the 31-year-old Frenchman promotes what he calls American Modern Dance. “It has more depth, more soul, more meaning than modern dance in France,” he says. Saba has brought his ideas, his technique — He danced with the Martha Graham Company for several years — and his considerable charm to the Hotchkiss School where 10 of Alice Sarkissian-Wolf’s “elite” student dancers will perform this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Walker Auditorium. The program includes pieces choreographed by Saba, by Sarkissian-Wolf and by the students; sets designed by the school’s art department; and costumes designed by Saba.

Every year Sarkissian-Wolf invites a guest choreographer to Hotchkiss. This year she brought one with an original background. Saba grew up in an industrial town in Southern France. His father drove trucks for a living, and the arts were not central to ordinary lives there. Except to Saba who was interested in music theater and art. After an injury that crippled him for two years, a doctor suggested dancing as therapy. So at the age 16, Saba began his life’s work.

“Even Nureyev started late,” Saba likes to remind people. “If you work hard you will make it.”

Performances are scheduled May 16th and 17th at 8:00 pm, and May 18th at 2:00 pm. For information, please call 860-435-2591.

Text and photo of Alice Sarkissian-Wolf and Saba
by Mariden Epworth