Sharing by Adriano Dos Santos Brandão

The first foreigner ever to visit our class is Adriano Dos Santos Brandão, a Brazilian solo comedian that embarks on his own solo travel across South East Asia this summer. When visiting Vietnam, he has the chance to meet Tuan Linh and chooses to engage in our Contact Improvisation Class during his expenditure at Hanoi.

Question: What initially attracted you to Contact Improvisation and made you experience this for the first time?

Adriano Dos Santos Brandão: My friends invited me the first time. As I am a solo comedian who carries a whole circus and so many musical instruments with me, I also learn to improvise a lot. So this class fits me perfectly, but now not with my jokes or my acting, but with my body movements. We were already linked to art and nature, and the improvisation of movements in contact with other people attracted me.

Question: Could you share a memorable story or experience related to Contact Improvisation?

Adriano Dos Santos Brandão: In Contact Improvisation, I’ve had moments where it wasn’t just my body moving—it felt like my feelings and even my spirit were part of the dance. Those moments of being fully present brought a sense of love and connection. Doing things like blindfolded contact really boosts trust, while weight-sharing exercises create this strong feeling of support. Breathwork helps deepen that connection, and dancing outdoors with nature adds a sense of being part of something bigger. Vocalizing while moving can bring out emotions too. Overall, it turns the dance into a full emotional and spiritual experience.

Question: What were the biggest barriers/misunderstandings/prejudices you faced when starting with Contact Improvisation? How do you feel Contact Improvisation has changed your interactions, communication with others, empathy, or anything else that has positively impacted you?

Adriano Dos Santos Brandão: I personally haven't had many barriers so far, maybe not falling in love with the people I dance with, but I realize that for many people the barrier of touch can be a big challenge, making many think and judge that it's just carnal, and really if the intention is not genuine it may just be carnal. But at the same time we can go beyond that by having experiences that transcend the physical, reaching the sentimental, the emotional, the energetic and even the spiritual. This dance helps me learn more about myself and how to relate to other people in the best possible way. And to love more.