CPPM is welcoming its following guest artists, Lucia Chocarro and Katie Lusby from Gecko (UK), who are leading a 10-day physical theatre workshop for CPPM students, starting today, 29 September 2025.

For two weeks, Chocarro and Lusby will lead CPPM students into Gecko’s distinctive world of physical theatre and devising. Known for its emotionally resonant and visually striking productions, Gecko has built a global reputation for creating layered, physical narratives that transcend language. Under the vision of Artistic Director Amit Lahav, Gecko’s creative methodology integrates movement, sound, light, design, and text from the very beginning of the process. Students will be immersed in this holistic approach, developing tools to access trust, ensemble dynamics, serious play, and emotional depth through the body.

The workshop will run from September 29 to October 10, 2025, at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. The public is warmly invited to an open class on 10 October at 19:00 in the EMTA black box, where the outcomes of this creative journey will be shared. This event offers a rare chance to experience first-hand the expressive intensity and collaborative spirit that define Gecko’s work.

Lucia Chocarro

Lucia Chocarro is a contemporary dance and physical theatre artist with extensive experience in performance, facilitation, and collaborative devising. She has performed with renowned artists and companies, including Akram Khan Company, Punchdrunk, Gecko Theatre, Dickson Mbi, and Maxine Doyle. Her film credits include Wonder Woman, Justice League, and Paddington in Peru. Beyond performance, Lucia supports choreographers and directors as a rehearsal director, assistant, and dramaturg, while also developing her own choreographic voice through workshops and intensives. She is a co-founder of Feet Off the Ground, an all-female collective that creates outdoor works and community projects combining physical expression with social engagement.

Katie Lusby

Katie Lusby trained at London Studio Centre and London Contemporary Dance School before embarking on a diverse career across dance and theatre. She has performed with Richard Alston Dance Company, Van Huynh Company, and New Adventures (Swan Lake tour and film). Katie’s stage work includes collaborations with choreographers such as Aletta Collins, James Cousins, Sarah Dowling, Akram Khan (Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics), Liam Steele, and Didy Veldman. She has also performed at the Royal Opera House and Den Norske Opera & Ballett. Katie joined Gecko in 2015 for The Time of Your Life (BBC4) and has since become an integral part of the ensemble, bringing her expertise in movement, musicality, and theatrical storytelling to the company’s international productions.

Gecko

Gecko, a British physical theatre company founded in 2001 and led by its visionary Artistic Director, Amit Lahav, has carved out a distinctive identity in the global theatre landscape. Their work is instantly recognisable for its breathtaking physicality, stunning visual narratives, and an emotional depth that profoundly resonates with audiences.

The company’s creative process is a rigorous, organic journey, often spanning up to two years for a single production. Moving beyond conventional script-based theatre, Gecko integrates all elements—movement, sound, lighting, set design, and even multiple languages—from the very first day. Lahav emphasises patiently allowing initial thoughts and ideas to surface before meticulously organising and connecting them to construct complex, layered narratives. The international ensemble, diverse in their backgrounds and personal histories, enriches the rehearsal room, contributing to a vibrant tapestry of experiences that inform the work. Trust and a non-judgmental environment are crucial, as they foster the emotional openness and physical discipline essential for Gecko’s highly expressive style.