Faust | © Heiko Sandelmann
Othello | © Heiko Sandelmann
Faust | © Heiko Sandelmann
Othello | © Heiko Sandelmann
The ballet company of the Stadttheater Bremerhaven is made up of 9 soloists on an equal footing. The company is supplemented by 4 dancers who study contemporary dance at the Zurich University of the Arts. In selecting the ensemble members, the ballet master Sergei Vanaev attaches particular importance not only to the necessary top-level technique, but also to the aspect of internationality. The dancers’ diverse origins (whether they are from Russia, Australia, New Zealand or Japan), their education at schools of different influences, their experience with a variety of ensembles and thus their own patterns of movement flow into the process of developing the ballet ensemble. Strong personalities and acting talent are characteristics that are as needed as they are valued. The company’s work is characterised by a contemporary, athletic style with an intense integration of acrobatic elements as well as classical technique. Most company members also have experience in developing their own choreographies. In addition to three premieres per season, among them interpretations of narrative ballets as well as modern, abstract dance theatre, the ballet company produces a special fourth evening during which the dancers’ own choreographies are showcased. At the conclusion of each season, a ballet gala is presented with invited companies on the large stage. Supporting the performances of the musical theatre and acting departments, for example during the annual musical or in connection with projects that cross departmental lines, also forms part of the purpose of a dance company at a city theatre. In addition, the ensemble takes part in various guest performances, festivals and galas at other theatres.
On the ensemble’s history
From 1931, the Stadttheater Bremerhaven had its own ballet ensemble under the directorship of Christel Ebling, with one female solo dancer and eight female dancers. Horst Vogt became the ballet director and solo dancer in 1956 and from 1967 to 1968, Heinz Manniegel was the ballet director. Now, for the first time, the ballet ensemble was not just made up of women, but rather consisted of four male and four female dancers. In 1968, Gudrun Kreutzberge took over the position of ballet director. The ballet then hosted more and more of its own evenings in addition to its musical and operetta performances. In 1993, Brazilian Ricardo Fernando took on the position of ballet director, followed by Jörg Mannes from 2000 to 2004. His successor, Sergei Vanaev, has been ballet master and chief choreographer of the Ballettkompanie am Stadttheater Bremerhaven up until today.
Sergei Vanaev
Sergei Vanaev, ballet master and chief choreographer of the ballet company of the Stadttheater Bremerhaven, was born in Russia and received his dance education at the Bolshoi Theater’s ballet academy in Moscow, where he graduated with honours. His first position was at the Moscow Classical Ballet from 1985 to 1991. Later positions led him to the Deutsche Oper am Rhein and to Theater Bonn and Theater Dortmund. Since the beginning of the 2004/2005 season, Sergei Vanaev has been directing the ballet company of the Stadttheater Bremerhaven.
Productions from the 2021/2022 season
Faust (premiere)
Premiere: October 16, 2021
Choreographer: Sergei Vanaev
freely adapted from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
13 dancers
approx. 80 minutes
Petrushka / Le Sacre du Printemps (The Sacrifice of Spring) (premiere)
Premiere: March 12, 2022
Choreographers: Alba Castillo and Sergei Vanaev
Music by Igor Stravinsky
13 dancers
Taiko (premiere)
Premiere: May 21, 2022
Choreographer: Sergei Vanaev
in cooperation with the Taiko group Masa-Daiko Bremen
Ego-Zooming X
Dancers of the ballet ensemble present their own choreographies
Premiere: June 4, 2022
Ballet Gala 2022
Top-class international companies as guests in Bremerhaven
Date: June 28, 2022
Productions from the 2020/2021 season
Othello (premiere)
Premiere: 2021
Choreographer: Sergei Vanaev
freely adapted from William Shakespeare
13 dancers
approx. 70 minutes
Fireworks Music (revival)
Premiere: 2020
Choreographer: Sergei Vanaev
Music by George Frideric Handel
10 dancers
approx. 60 minutes
Productions from the 2019/2020 season
Der Feuervogel / Der Bolzen
Der Feuervogel: Ballet by Sergei Vanaev after the libretto by Michail Fokin with music by Igor Strawinsky // Der Bolzen: Ballet by Sergei Vanaev with music by Dwithri Schostakowitsch
Premiere: 19 Oktober 2019
First showings: «Der Feuervogel» 25 Juni 1910 // «Der Bolzen» 8 April 1931
Musical direction: Marc Niemann
Choreography & performance: Sergei Vanaev
Stage & costume: Darko Petrovic
Assistant choreographer: Wen-Hua Chang
Duration: ca 2 hours, one intermission
Feuerwerksmusic (UA)
Dance evening by Sergei Vanaev with music by Georg Friedrich Händel
Premiere: 29 February 2020
First showing: 29 February 2020
Choreography, stage & costume: Sergei Vanaev
Further information not yet available.
Taiko! (UA)
Dance evening in cooperation with the Japanese Taiko-group Masa-Daiko Bremen
Premiere: 25 April 2020
First showing: 25 April 2020
Choreography & performance: Sergei Vanaev
Direction by Masa-Daiko Bremen: Masakazu Nishimine
Stage & costume: Sergei Vanaev
Further information not yet available.
Ego-Zooming X
Ensemble dancers present their original choreographies
Premiere: June 2020
Further information not yet available.
Balletgala 2020
Top-class international companies hosted in Bremerhaven
23 June 2020
Further information not yet available.
Productions from the 2018/2019 season
Ein Sommernachtstraum (2018)
Choreography: Sergei Vanaev, Musik: Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and Philip Glass
Dauer: 100 min. (incl Interval)
On the Road (2019)
Choreography: Sergei Vanaev and Nadav Zelner
Dancers: 10
Tanztage Bremerhaven 2019
Ego-Zooming IX (2019)
Choreography: Dancers of the ballet ensemble of the Stadttheater Bremerhaven
Ballet Gala 2019
Choreography: Sergei Vanaev
Dancers: 10
Productions from the 2017/2018 season
Romeo und Julia (2017)
Choreography Sergei Vanaev, music Libretto, composition, orchestra by Sergej Prokofjew, William Shakespeare
9 dancers, duration 110 min
Productions from the 2016/2017
Coppélia (2016)
Choreography: Sergei Vanaev
9 dancers, 120 Min.
Goldberg-Variationen (2017)
Choreography: Sergei Vanaev
9 dancers, 1 pianist, 70 Min.
Dance-Puzzle (2017)
Choreography: Itzik Galili, Sergei Vanaev
9 dancers
Ego-Zooming VII (2017)
Choreography: dancers of the Ballettensembles des Stadttheaters Bremerhaven
9 dancers
Productions from the 2015/2016 season
La Sylphide (2015)
Choreography: Sergei Vanaev, Music: Herman Severin Løvenskiold
9 dancers,90 min.
Mozart Requiem (2016)
Choreography: Sergei Vanaev, Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Requiem in d-Moll KV 626
9 dancers
Drei Punkte (2016)
Choreography: Jiri Pokorny, Sergei Vanaev, Ed Wubbe
9 dancers
Ego Zooming VI
Choreography: Ensemble dancers
9 dancers
Productions from the 2014/2015 season
Ego Zooming V (2015)
Choreography: Ensemble Dancers, Music: various
9 dancers
Die vier Jahreszeiten/Adam Zero (2015)
Choreography: Sergei Vanaev, Music: Antonio Vivaldi, Arthur Bliss
9 dancers, 120 min.
Drums (2015)
Choreography: Sergei Vanaev, Music: diverse
9 dancers, 75 min.
Don Quichotte (2014)
Choreography: Sergei Vanaev,
Music: Ludwig Minkus
11 dancers, 2 extras, 120 min
Productions from the 2013/2014 season
Ego Zooming V (2014)
Choreography: dancers of ballet ensemble of Stadttheater Bremerhaven, music: various
11 dancers
Carmen-Suite/Le Sacre du Printemps (2014)
Choreography: Sergei Vanaev, music: Rodion Schtschedrin (after Georges Bizet), I. Strawinsky
9 dancers, 110 min
Songs (2014)
Choreography: Sergei Vanaev, music: various
11 dancers, 60 min
Cinderella (Aschenbrödel) (2013)
Choreography: Sergei Vanaev, music: Sergej Prokofjew
11 dancers, background actors, 120 min
REQUIEM
SQUEEZE
Stadttheater Bremerhaven
Am Alten Hafen 25
27568 Bremerhaven
Tel: 0471 - 48 206 - 0 (Zentrale)
Fax: 0471 - 48 206 - 482
