JOSÉPHINE World premiere adaptation of The Rite of Spring with Germaine Acogny

Dates
Wednesday 24 September 2025 – 19:30
Thursday 25 September 2025 – 19:30
Friday 26 September 2025 – 19:30
Saturday 27 September 2025 – 18:00
Sunday 28 September 2025 – 15:00
Venue: Théâtre des Champs-Élysées,15 avenue Montaigne – 75008 Paris

Origin of the Troupe

This extraordinary ensemble of dancers from 13 African countries was formed to perform The Rite of Spring, the iconic ballet choreographed by Pina Bausch.

The project was initiated by the Pina Bausch Foundation in collaboration with École des Sables in Senegal, under the artistic direction of Germaine Acogny and Josephine Ann Endicott.

The goal was to bring together dancers from across the African continent—each with unique cultural and contemporary dance backgrounds—to reinterpret Bausch’s legendary choreography. The ensemble includes artists such as Kouassi Rodolphe Allui, Dovi Afi Anique Ayiboe, Gloria Ugwarelojo Biachi, Khadija Cisse, and many others, representing a vibrant mosaic of African talent.

Their formation was not only a celebration of African dance but also a powerful act of cultural exchange and artistic dialogue between Europe and Africa.

Germaine Acogny: The Mother of Contemporary African Dance

Slow Show, Métiers d’art 2022/23 CHANEL – DAKAR – CHANEL fashion shows -Germaine Acogny

Born in Porto-Novo, Benin in 1944, Germaine Acogny is a Franco-Senegalese dancer and choreographer celebrated as the pioneer of contemporary African dance.
Her work blends traditional West African movements with Western contemporary techniques, creating a unique and deeply spiritual dance language.

Highlights of Her Journey:

1968: Founded her first African dance studio in Dakar.
1977–1982: Artistic director of Mudra Afrique, a school created by Maurice Béjart and Léopold Sédar Senghor.
1998: Co-founded École des Sables in Toubab Dialaw, Senegal—a major center for African dance training and exchange.
2021: Starred in Dancing at Dusk and later performed a solo tribute to Joséphine Baker at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.

Her performances are known for their poetic power and political resonance.
In her solo Joséphine, she channels the spirit of Baker not just as a performer, but as a symbol of resistance and liberation.

Josephine Ann Endicott: The Keeper of Pina Bausch’s Legacy

Josephine Ann Endicott is an Australian-born dancer and choreographer who became one of the original members of Pina Bausch’s Tanztheater Wuppertal.

She joined the company in the 1970s and became a central figure in the development of Bausch’s emotionally raw and theatrical style of dance.

Her Role Today:

She continues to restage Pina Bausch’s works around the world.
Co-directed the African adaptation of The Rite of Spring with Germaine Acogny, training dancers from 13 African countries.
Known for her deep understanding of Bausch’s vision and her ability to transmit it across cultures and generations.

Endicott’s work is marked by precision, empathy, and a fierce commitment to preserving the emotional truth of dance.

Together, Acogny and Endicott have bridged continents and traditions, bringing African dancers into the heart of one of Europe’s most iconic choreographic works. Their collaboration is a testament to the power of dance as a universal language.

International Tour

Since its premiere in 2021, the troupe has embarked on an ambitious international tour, performing in major cities around the world:

2021: Madrid, Copenhagen, Luxembourg, St. Pölten
2022: Adelaide, London, Montreal, Toronto, Paris, Chicago
2023: The Hague, Wuppertal, Edinburgh, Helsinki, New York
2024: Los Angeles, Berkeley, Tokyo, Nicosia, Shanghai
2025: Paris and Geneva again

One of the most memorable moments was the film Dancing at Dusk, capturing their rehearsal on the beach in Toubab Dialaw, Senegal, just before the global lockdown.
It showcased the raw beauty and emotional depth of their performance in a natural setting.

THE SACRED OF SPRING

rite-of-spring_tanztheater-wuppertal-pina-bausch_pc_stephanie-berger

École des sables
The sacred forest of modern times

Ecole des Sables – Dakar Senegal – Germaine Acogny.

Théâtre des Champs Elysées

Teams and partners
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Caisse des Dépôts
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15 avenue Montaigne
75008 Paris
contact@theatrechampselysees.fr

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