After the success of the first contemporary dance workshop in January 2004, Studio Emad Eddin, in collaboration with Karima Mansour and MAAT Contemporary Dance organized a 1-year program in contemporary dance tutored by various professionals from Egypt, the Arab World and Europe. As a specialized dance professional, Karima Mansour was able to put the right dance curriculum and schedule that would develop the capacity of the participants, as well as select the different trainers and guests invited to tutor them.
Participants were selected after 3 days of auditions. They included students as well as independent artists working in theatre and movement. The general idea was to maintain the same group of participants throughout the one-year program, thus allowing them to build and develop, not only their bodies but, their ideas in relation to dance. Due to the specific needs of Egyptian artists, inviting a variety of guest artists was an essential part of the program, as well as diversity in material, language and approach.
Phase 1 – By Karima Mansour (Egypt): This Introduction to Contemporary Dance workshop, which ran for a period of four weeks, was led by Karima at the Studio Emad Eddin independent space. For more information on Karima Mansour, please visit: https://www.karimamansour.com
Phase 2 – By Foofwa D’Imobilite (Switzerland): This workshop was presented in collaboration with ProHelvetia Cultural Office in Cairo. Foofwa D’Imobilite is a dancer/choreographer who has previously worked with Merce Cunningham. He has created 14 works, including solo and group pieces as well as collaborations with various artists. For more information on Foofwa, please visit: www.ecolededansedegeneve.com
Phase 3 – By Thierry Smits (Belgium): For more information on Thierry Smits, please visit: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thierry_Smits
Schedule:
Phase 1 – from 15th of August – 15th of September 2006
Phase 2 – from 11th – 21st of November 2006
Phase 3 – from 28th of November – 4th of December 2006