OMAR OLIVAS

Countertechnique, Improvisation

Born and raised in Santa Ana California, Omar Olivas currently resides in Edwardsville Illinois (USA). He has studied Countertechnique since 2005, participating in the One Body One Career in 2007, 2019 and 2022.  Omar attended and successfully completed the Countertechnique Teacher Training program in the summer of 2022. 

Omar has a Masters in Kinesiology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Arts in Dance Performance at the University of California Irvine. As a professional, Omar has performed nationally and Internationally with such distinguished groups as Diavolo Dance Theater, BackhausDance, Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company, and Neglia Ballet. Omar has been a guest artist at several institutions including La Salle College of the Arts in Singapore, Ballet Centrum in Fürth Germany, Brigham Young University (BYU), University of California Irvine, Chapman University, Webster University, and Jon Lehrer Dance Company Summer Intensive. Omar continues to perform self-produced works and is a guest performer for Diavolo Dance Theater and Neglia Ballet. The majority of Omar’s time is spent educating aspiring dancers for the department of Theater and Dance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he is a full-time professor. 

Countertechnique has as a unique way of simultaneously challenging the body and mind within a nurturing environment that encourages self-discovery. The dancer goes beyond the given steps by utilizing tools to deepen their own understanding of what is going on in the present moment within their bodies and the space around them-complete awareness.

Countertechnique has rekindled my joy in dancing and creation. I no longer get caught up with end goals but stay open throughout the process of finding new possibilities.  In a Countertechnique class I learn more about myself, the people around me, the space around and within me, all while having fun dancing. It’s truly an awesome experience and I’m excited to share that awesomeness with others.