Ballet Preljocaj

Founded by Angelin Preljocaj in December 1984, shortly joined by Nicole Saïd in January 1985, the Preljocaj company became the National Choreographic Centre of Champigny-sur-Marne and Val-de-Marne in 1989.

In 1996, the ballet was welcomed at the Cité du Livre in Aix-en-Provence and became the Ballet Preljocaj – National Choreographic Centre of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, the Bouches-du-Rhône Department, the Pays d’Aix Community and the City of Aix-en-Provence.

Since founding his company, now composed of 30 dancers, Angelin Preljocaj has created 61 choreographic works, ranging from solo to larger formations. The Ballet performs about 120 dates per year on tour, in France and abroad.

Angelin Preljocaj has multiplied his collaborations with other artists like Enki Bilal (Roméo et Juliette, 1990), Air (Near Life Experience, 2003) Granular Synthesis (« N », 2004), Fabrice Hyber (Les 4 saisons…, 2005), Jean Paul Gaultier (Snow White, 2008), Constance Guisset (Le funambule, 2009)…

His creations have been restaged by numerous other repertory companies, from which he also receives requests to create new pieces. This has been the case with La Scala in Milan and the New York City Ballet, the Staatsoper in Berlin and the Paris Opera Berlin.

Beyond the repertory performances, Ballet Preljocaj has been multiplying its local actions in Aix-en-Provence and neighbouring communities, in order to share its passion for dance with a broader public: lectures on dance interpretation through video, public rehearsals, contemporary-dance classes and workshops, and dance interventions in urban public space – all means of viewing and understanding dance from different perspectives.

Ballet Preljocaj is now settled into its new home, designed by the architect Rudy Ricciotti, in Aix-en-Provence. The Pavillon Noir is the first production centre built for dance, where artists will be able to go through the entire creative process, from workshops and rehearsals to staging and performance. The Pavillon Noir opened its doors on October 20, 2006.