Nur ein Wimpernschlag … | Oliver Preiß | © Claudia Bernhard
Shakespeares Sonette | Jörg Mannes | © Marlies Kross
Junge Choreografen – Aufbruch zu neuen Ufern | Simone Zannini | © Eoin Griffin
Nur ein Wimpernschlag … | Oliver Preiß | © Claudia Bernhard
Shakespeares Sonette | Jörg Mannes | © Marlies Kross
Junge Choreografen – Aufbruch zu neuen Ufern | Simone Zannini | © Eoin Griffin
The Cottbus ballet is the only theatre-own ballet company in Brandenburg. Dirk Neumann - ballet master at Staatstheater Cottbus since 2006 - heads the company, which consists of eight dancers. They have worked together with renowned guest choreographers, e.g. Adriana Mortelliti, Giorgio Madia, Nils Christe, Lode Devos and Manuel-Joël Mandon. Support and promotion of young choreographers is a matter of concern. Apart from two to three independent productions per season, the ballet performs in operas, operettas and musical productions. Its repertoire ranges from neoclassical to modern.
As part of the Brandenburger Theaterverbund, the ballet regularly performs in Brandenburg an der Havel, Potsdam and Frankfurt (Oder) (Germany). The ensemble also gave international guest performances in Novara (Italy) and Zielona Góra (Poland).
A permanent institution for ballet beginners and connoisseurs equally, is the annual gala of the dance ensemble of the Staatstheater with highlights from past seasons and new choreographies.
On the History of the Ensemble
Mostly female dancers were part of the Cottbus theatre since its opening in 1908, the first extensive dance productions weren’t staged until 1939.
The late 1980‘s marked the beginning of a period of modern dance theatre, characterised by choreographers such as Michael Apel, Ralph Boock, Elvira Schurig and Jo Fabian. For some years, Cottbus became the mecca of modern dance theatre, which was also reflected in the Cottbus dance days (which continue to take place) with guest performances by outstanding international ensembles and own new productions.
As a result, the small company was led to higher and more varied performances and its great charisma was recognized accordingly by the public and the media. Since 2006 Dirk Neumann has been the ballet master. He managed to form a high-class ensemble and to attract internationally renowned choreographers to work with the company. In 2018, the ballet received the status of the fourth branch of the Staatstheater Cottbus. In the course of this, Dirk Neumann was appointed ballet director.
Dirk Neumann
Dirk Neumann was born in Leisnig (Saxony) and received his training at the Fachschule für Tanz Leipzig. This was followed by engagements in the Erich-Weinert-Ensemble of the NVA, at the Oper Leipzig and at the Musikalische Komödie Leipzig. During this time he worked a. a. together with the choreographers Udo Wandtke, Harald Wandtke, Enno Markwart, Uwe Scholz, Dietmar Seyffert, Monika Geppert, Torsten Handel and Winfried Schneider.
In September 2005 he received an engagement at the Staatstheater Cottbus, where he has been ballet master since 2006 and ballet director since 2018. Under his direction, more than 20 dance pieces were premiered.
Productions from the 2021/2022 season
Nur ein Wimpernschlag ... (2020)
Choreography: Oliver Preiß
11 dancers
Stage dimensions: 10 x 10 m
Duration: approx. 100 min. no intermission
Shakespeares Sonette (2021)
Choreography: Jörg Mannes
10 dancers
Stage dimensions: 12 x 12 m
Duration: 80 min. no intermission
Junge Choreografen - Aufbruch zu neuen Ufern (2021)
Choreography: Annalisa Piccolo, Simone Zannini, Jhonatan Arias Gómez, Alyosa Forlini, Venira Welijan, Mario Barcenilla Rubio, Jason Sabrou, Denise Ruddock
1 - 6 dancers (depending on the piece)
Stage dimensions: 10 x 10 m
Duration: 95 min. no intermission
Die Reise zum Mittelpunkt der Erde (2019)
Choreography & music collage: Manuel-Joël Mandon
Libretto: Michael Böhnisch
12 dancers
Stage dimensions: 12 x 12 m
Duration: 95 min. with intermission
Straw!nsky (2022)
Three-part ballet evening: Petrushka / Piano Rag Music + Tango / Le Sacre du Printemps
Choreography: Adriana Mortelliti / Uwe Scholz / Nils Christe
Music: Igor Stravinsky; accompanied live by the Philharmonic Orchestra
14 dancers / 1 dancer + 1 pianist / 19 dancers
Stage dimensions: 12 x 12 m
Duration: approx. 120 min. with intermission
Alma de la piel - Unter die Haut (2022)
Choreography: Inma López Marín
8 dancers
Stage dimensions: 10 x 10 m
Duration: 90 min. no intermission
Die drei Musketiere (2022)
Choreography: Manuel-Joël Mandon
Libretto: Michael Böhnisch
15 dancers
Stage dimensions: 15 x 15 m
Duration: 90 min. no intermission
Productions from the 2020/2021 season
Nur ein Wimpernschlag ... (2020)
Choreography: Oliver Preiß
11 dancers
Stage dimensions: 10 x 10 m
Duration: approx. 100 min. no intermission
Shakespeares Sonette (2021)
Choreography: Jörg Mannes
10 dancers
Stage dimensions: 12 x 12 m
Duration: 80 min. no intermission
Productions from the 2019/2020 season
Die Reise zum Mittelpunkt der Erde (2019)
Choreography: Manuel-Joël Mandon
Music collage: Manuel-Joël Mandon
Libretto: Michael Böhnisch
12 dancers, 12 x 12m, 90 min (including one intermission)
Petruschka (2020)
Choreography: Adriana Mortelliti
14 dancers
Piano Rag Music + Tango (1984)
Choreography: Uwe Scholz
1 dancer + 1 pianist
Le Sacre du Printemps (2007)
Choreography: Nils Christe
18 dancers
Alice im Wunderland (2019)
Choreography: Torsten Händler
Music collage and composition: Steffan Claussner
14 dancers, 12 x 12m, 85 Min. (no intermission)
Casanova (2003)
Choreography: Mauro de Candia
Music by: Georg Friedrich Händel, Arcangelo Corelli, Arvo Pärt u.a.
10 dancers, 10 x 10m, 75 min. (no intermission)
Ein Sommernachtstraum (2019)
Choreography: Jason Sabrou und Dirk Neumann
Music by: F. Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Simon Boswell, Max Richter, John Williams, Mason Bates, John Adams und G. Verdi
Libretto: Michael Böhnisch
14 dancers, 12 x 10m, ca. 100 Min. (including one intermission)
Juliet Letters – Briefe an Julia (2018)
Choreography: Adriana Mortelliti
Music collage: Adriana Mortelliti
Music by: Max Richter, Radiohead, Leonard Cohen and others
8 dancers, 10 x 10m, 90 min. (including one intermission)
Productions from the 2018/2019 season
Alice im Wunderland (2019)
Choreography: Torsten Händler
Music collage and composition: Steffan Claussner
14 dancers, 12 x 12m, 85 Min. (no intermission)
Casanova (2003)
Choreography: Mauro de Candia
Music by: Georg Friedrich Händel, Arcangelo Corelli, Arvo Pärt u.a.
8 dancers, 10 x 10m, 75 min. (no intermission)
Ein Sommernachtstraum (2019)
Choreography: Jason Sabrou und Dirk Neumann
Music by: F. Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Simon Boswell, Max Richter, John Williams, Mason Bates, John Adams and G. Verdi
Libretto: Michael Böhnisch
12 dancers, 10 x 12m, ca. 100 Min. (including one intermission)
Peter Pan (2016)
Choreography: Manuel-Joël Mandon
Libretto: Michael Böhnisch
Music collage: Manuel-Joël Mandon
12 dancers, 12 x 12m, 120 min (including one intermission)
Juliet Letters – Briefe an Julia (2018)
Choreography: Adriana Mortelliti
Music collage: Adriana Mortelliti
Music by: Max Richter, Radiohead, Leonard Cohen u.a.
8 dancers, 10 x 10m, 90 min (including one intermission)
Productions from the 2017/2018 season
Premiers
Menschenskinder (2017)
Master choreography by Birgit Scherzer and Nils Christe
stage 12x 12 m, duration 85 min (interval)
A three-part evening:
Keith
Choreography: Birgit Scherzer, music Keith Jarrett
7 dancers
Anywhereme
Choreography: Birgit Scherzer, music Portishead, Toni Gatlif, Carlo Farina
10 dancers
Cantus
Choreography: Nils Christie, music: Arvo Pärt
8 dancers
Juliet Letters – Briefe an Julia (2018)
Choreography: Adriana Mortelliti, music collage: Adriana Mortelliti
8 dancers, stage 10 x 10m, duration 90 min (interval)
Repertoire
Peter Pan (2016)
Ballet for all from five years, by Manuel-Joël Mandon based onmotifs from James Matthew Barrie
Choreography: Manuel-Joël Mandon, libretto: Michael Böhnisch, music collage: Manuel-Joël Mandon
12 dancers, stage 12 x 12m, 120 min (interval)
Frida Kahlo (2014)
Choreography: Undine Werchau, music: cellorazade (Christoph Schenker, Sascha Werchau)
8 dancers, stage 11 x 13,5 m, 100 min (interval)
Productions from the 2016/2017 season
Peter Pan (2016)
Ballet for all from five years
Choreography: Manuel-Joël Mandon based onmotifs from James Matthew Barrie, libretto: Michael Böhnisch, music collage: Manuel-Joël Mandon
10 dancers, stage 12m x 12 m, 120 min (incl. interval)
Songs For Swinging Lovers (2012)
Choreography: Mirko Mahr zu Songs von Frank Sinatra, libretto: Philipp J. Neumann
9 dancers, stage 10m x 10 m, 90 min.
IM FLUSS DER ZEIT (2016)
SYNC / RACHMANINOW / OKTETT
Master choreography of the 20th century by Uwe Scholz and Nils Christe
A TANZFONDS ERBE Project, stage 12 x 12 m, 95 min.
SYNC
Choreography: Nils Christe, music: Ludovico Einaudi
16 dancers
RACHMANINOW
Choreography: Uwe Scholz, music: Sergej Rachmaninow
16 dancers
OKTETT
Choreography: Uwe Scholz, music: Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
16 dancers
Das Bildnis des Dorian Gray (2016)
Choreography: Lode Devos, music: Franz Schubert, Sergej Rachmaninow, Arnold Schönberg and Kronos Quartet
8 dancers, stage 10 x 10 m, 75 min (w/o interval)
Productions from the 2015/2016 season
IM FLUSS DER ZEIT (2016)
SYNC / RACHMANINOW / OKTETT
Master choreography oft he 20th century by Uwe Scholz and Nils Christe
A TANZFONDS ERBE Project
SYNC
Choreography: Nils Christe, music: Ludovico Einaudi
16 dancers, stage 12 x 12 m, 40 min
RACHMANINOW
Choreography: Uwe Scholz, music: Sergej Rachmaninow
3 dancers, stage 12 x 12 m, 8 min
OKTETT
Choreography: Uwe Scholz, music: Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
16 dancers, stage 12 x 12 m, 40 min
Das Bildnis des Dorian Grey (2016)
Choreography: Lode Devos, music: Franz Schubert, Sergej Rachmaninow, Arnold Schönberg and Kronos Quartet
8 dancers, stage 10 x 10 m, 75 min (w/o interval)
Schwanenseele (2015)
Choreography: Gundula Peuthert, music: Marc Lingk nach Motiven von Peter I. Tschaikowski
8 dancers, stage 10 x 14 m, 90 min (w/o interval)
Frida Kahlo (2014)
Choreography: Undine Werchau, music: cellorazade (Christoph Schenker, Sascha Werchau)
8 dancers, stage 11m x 13,5 m, 100 min (w/o interval)
Songs For Swinging Lovers (2012)
Choreography: Mirko Mahr zu Songs von Frank Sinatra, libretto: Philipp J. Neumann
9 dancers, stage 10m x 10 m, 90 Min. (w/o interval)
Productions der Spielzeit 2014/2015
Frida Kahlo (2014)
Choreography: Undine Werchau, music: cellorazade (Christoph Schenker, Sascha Werchau)
8 dancers, stage 11m x 13,5 m, 100 min (w/o interval)
Schwanenseele (2015)
Choreography: Gundula Peuthert, music: Marc Lingk based on motifs from Peter I. Tschaikowski
8 dancers, stage 10 x 14 m, 90 min (w/o interval)
Berührungen. Eine Balkan-Rhapsodie (2013)
Choreography: Adriana Mortelliti, music: Goran Bregović, Boris Kovač, Bratsch, Taraf De Haïdouks
8 dancers, stage 10m x 10m, 95 min (w/o interval)
Le Sacre du Printemps. Frühlingsweihe (2013)
Choreography: Lars Scheibner, music: Igor Strawinski and a sound installation by Thomas Sander
7 dancers, stage 11m x 13,5m, 75 min (w/o interval)
Pieces of Nyman & Purcell Pieces (2014)
Choreography: Adriana Mortelliti and Nils Christe, music: Michael Nyman and Henry Purcell
8 dancers, stage 10m x 14 m, 105 min (interval)
Productions from the 2014/2015 season
Peer Gynt (2015)
Choreography: Mark McClain; music: E. Grieg among others
TanzZeit (2015)
Choreography: members of Ballett Coburg
Der Nussknacker (2012)
Choreography: Mark McClain, music: P. I. Tschaikowsky
13 dancers plus children’s ballet and extras, 120 min (incl. interval)
HYPNOTIC POISON
Hypnotic Poison (2012)
Choreography: Demis Volpi, music: Diamanda Galás, Trio Per Uno
11 dancers
Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered (2000)
Choreography: Mark McClain, music: Jevetta Steele, Aretha Franklin,
Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone, Billie Holliday,
Ella Fitzgerald, 6 dancers
Contrast (2014)
Choreography: Young Soon Hue, music: John Adams, Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto
11 dancers, 135 min (incl. two intervals)
Productions from the 2013/2014 season
Gefährliche Liebschaften (2014)
Choreography: Tara Yipp, music: François-Joseph Gossec, Maurice Ravel, W. A. Mozart and Leoš Janác̆ek
6 dancers plus extras, 120 min (incl. interval)
TanzZeit (2014)
Choreography: Chih-Lin Chan, Niko Ilias König,
Po-Sheng Yeh, Takashi Yamamoto; music: SonicBrat, Chinese Man, Caravan Palace, Yoko Kanno among others
5 dancers
First Steps – Soul`d Out (2014)
Choreography: Eriko Ampuku, Chi-Lin Chan, Eunkyung Chung, Emily Downs, Mariusz Czochrowski, Niko Ilias König, Adrian Stock, Takashi Yamamoto,
Po-Sheng Yeh, music: Goran Bregovic, Ivanovich, Miguel Frasconi, Tan Dun, Björk, Naomu, Anne Müller, Henryk Mikolaj Górecki, No Angels, Redl, 105 min (incl. interval)
BOLERO
NoiZion
Choreography: Mark McClain, music: Söhne Mannheims
14 dancers
Bedtime Stories
Choreography: Jean Renshaw, music: Gavin Bryars
1 female dancer, 1 male dancer
Bolero
Choreography: Marc Spradling, music: M. Ravel
10 dancers, 90 min (incl. interval)
Ballettensemble
des Staatstheaters Cottbus
Nur ein Wimpernschlag …
wanderer
Elements
Shakespeares Sonette
Junge Choreografen
– Aufbruch zu neuen Ufern
Staatstheater Cottbus
Lausitzer Straße 33 | 03046 Cottbus
Tel 0355 7824 0 | Fax 0355 7824 191
ballett@staatstheater-cottbus.de
