Meet lisa eaton | creator of BARRED apparatus, choreographer, trained dancer

We had the good fortune of connecting with lisa eaton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

BARRED is a one of a kind apparatus that bridges the gap between aerial + dance class. BARRED is a Unique Apparatus and training system that we use in endless creative environments. Our sets allow for ever changing stage design and continued innovation. Lisa created BARRED in 2018 from a dream inside her head. “There is a magical space where dance is suspended in time, allowing the viewer to soak in the beauty of the human form, and dancing on BARRED gives us this visual”.

As the movement has grown, BARRED has exploded into the fabric of the American Dance World. BARRED is featured in “Certified Black Genius” directed by Academy Award winner, John Ridley, in Rhye’ Music Videos, has installed live work in “Congress, Legalize Dance” + “Carnival Dance Show”, featured in “Disco Dining Club’s” New Year’s Eve at Paramount, and featured at NYE Soho House with “Last Follies Closet.”

I think what sets BARRED apart is its uniqueness and versatility. Any human can adapt into the apparatus. I love seeing artists with incredible skills learn BARRED as well as people off the street who aren’t dancers by profession. The intuitive flow I see all of them achieve makes my life worth living and brings me insane amounts of JOY! User friendly, BARRED is the only apparatus of its kind completely unique just like all the people who come to our classes!

I got to where I am today professionally by continually evolving, listening to that inner voice we all have and never giving up. Being a professional dancer in Los Angeles taught me endurance and the joy of constant creativity. I was never the best dancer by any means but dance is my most fluent language I speak. There are emotions/feelings/undercurrents that I cannot express in words but can in physical language. Using your physicality for expression is also by its very nature – ever changing, ephemeral, and new.
My biggest lesson learned as a dancer is to just show up no matter what.
My biggest lesson so far as a creator/choreographer is to stay open to inspiration.

From creating and teaching in BARRED I’ve been lucky to see many amazing humans expand into this new apparatus and really make it their own! From incredible contemporary dancers/ballet dancers/ to young competitors to pole dancers of extraordinary capabilities to a 60 year old jazz dancer~ all of these unique artists have made beautiful art on BARRED. We are currently expanding and adding in additional teachers as well as starting our first teacher training to expand our BARRED apparatus magic!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

eat: grand central station downtown! also K town for authentic korean food
the mexican street tacos stand on lincoln blvd by rose ave

visit: Olympic Spa in Korea town

shows: any shows that feature dance- Congress by Zak Schlegel and Denna Thomas, work by Sara Silkin

hike: the waterfall hike in Malibu, especially now that there is water and it’s green!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Katie Moss for listening to me talk endlessly about my dream of BARRED and encouraging me to get it out of my head and into reality!! You are BARRED apparatus’ fairy godmother and we love you! Also to my husband Agustin Caccuri who tirelessly helps me put these up/take them down and transport them in my truck!

Website: barred.dance lisaeaton.net

Instagram: barred_dance lisa_eaton_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-eaton-40144116/

Image Credits
IG @cre8cure8 Nikki