“Sarcophagus”-To Latin teachers across the world, it means flesh-eating stone. To dance enthusiasts across the U.S., and soon Paris, it entails a 7 and 1/2-minute artistic journey.

It takes five movie projectors, six slide projectors, two soundtracks and one dancer to create Emergence Dance Theatre’s “Sarcophagus.” Yet, according to the critics it’s well worth the wait.

John Guidice, the solo dancer, plays a visual mind game with his audience as he dances in and out of synchronicity with larger than life size images of himself. Following the rhythms of Peter Gabriel and Phillip Glass, Guidice grapples with the overpowering multimedia footage.

Wynne Delacoma from the Chicago Sun Times said, “‘Sarcophagus’ choreograhed by Sandra Schramel and John Schmitz was visually intriguing, setting Guidici’s dance against a magnified projection of his movements.”

Schmitz said their intents were “to take the audience to a different time and place throughout the midst of Rush Street.” He had the deserts of Egypt particularly in mind as the place. “We wanted to touch something ancient inside of them,” he said.

This November Emergence Dance Theatre’s “Sarcophagus” will be tested out on the international level when the Chicago Repertory Dance Ensemble presents it at the Cafe de la danse, in Paris.

Schmitz, who is affiliated with both the Chicago Repertory and Emergence, sees Paris as “someplace we could showcase the full power of the repertoire.” He explained that “Sarcophagus” isn’t concerned with local color. The style and themes are not distinctly Chicagoan, or urban for that matter.

Once in Paris, the plan is to ensure an overseas booking arrangement. The 17-member group will combine with two New York dance companies as part of a “New Americans” series. Schmitz said the Europeans were looking for American based acts. At the same time, Emergence found the “sleek, mystical” appearance of France the perfect atmosphere to test out their work.

Without help from the Illinois Art Council, the week-long trip might not have come about. Emergence received one of the largest grants given this year due to their success with “Sarcophagus” and “Carmina Burana,” a soon to be marketed production.

“Sarcophagus” could possibly be previewed on Oct. 13-15 at the Dance Base in Chicago, but as of yet the program is still tentative.