TanzWerkstatt Berlin
Artistic directors: Ulrike Becker, André Thériault
Büroleitung: Sabine Seifert

TanzWerkstatt Berlin, founded in 1988 and incorporated into Kulturveranstaltungs-GmbH in 1992, is dedicated to supporting and presenting new approaches and works in the field of international contemporary dance that are open to influences from other media and experiment with new forms. In particular, this includes work in the zone between dance and performance, work that does not grasp contemporary dance as an isolated discipline, but rather as an artistic means of coming to terms with the world we live in, works whose means of expression are based on movement and the human body. In addition, dance films and video work are an integral part of TanzWerkstatt’s program. A special focus is placed on process-oriented projects and an international exchange of ideas between artists.

The main event sponsored by TanzWerkstatt Berlin is the annual International Dance Festival Berlin - Tanz im August – planned and conducted in collaboration with the Hebbel-Theater. The festival consists of an international series of guest performances at various venues (the most important include sophiensaele, Podewil and Theater am Halleschen Ufer), discussion forums and workshops conducted by renowned artists for professional dancers and choreographers.

TanzWerkstatt has been in charge of the dance and performance program at Podewil since 1995. Every spring, we show the series Körperstimmen - which includes for to six productions from Germany and other countries - there. For one week every fall, we showcase the work of our artists-in-residence with a thematic series, a co-production, or a special event.

Since the completion of the dance studio at Podewil in April of 1996, TanzWerkstatt Berlin and Podewil together regularly invite artists from Berlin and elsewhere to work on the premises for a set period of time. These ”work stays” allow interested members of the public to gain insights into the creative process and to enter into a dialog with the artists through lecture demonstrations, workshops, and previews. The emphasis here is on the exchange of ideas and promoting fruitful encounters between the Berlin and the international dance scene. In addition to these ”work stays,” we coordinate an artist-in-residence-program at Podewil that began in 1994 with Sasha Waltz. Selected artists receive the opportunity to work here free of charge as well as the use of office facilities and expert advice. In 2000, Christine Rebet and Thomas Lehmen worked at Podewil within the framework of this program, in addition to Xavier Le Roy, whom we have supported since 1996.

TanzWerkstatt Berlin participates in the German Producers’ Award for Choreography and in the planning of Tanzplattformen Deutschland (dance platforms in Germany) for the international meeting of choreographers at Bagnolet. TanzWerkstatt is headed by Ulrike Becker and André Thériault.

Berlin, February 2001


Tanzwerkstatt Berlin
Klosterstrasse 68-70 | D - 10179 Berlin - Mitte
Tel. + 49 30 / 24 74 97 56 | Fax + 49 30 / 24 74 97 57
email: office@tanzwerkstatt-berlin.de