Koreorama

On 20 and 21 June 2025, three of this year’s choreographic talents presented their first studies for Koreorama No. 03. Throughout the spring, they had taken time to seek inspiration, explore and test choreographic ideas for their upcoming works. In June, the talents embarked on two intensive weeks of rehearsals, during which, through dramaturgical sparring, they developed the first sketches for Might for Right by Emerson Moose, EI BLOT TIL LYST by Linn Fletcher and You, Luciform by Lorenzo Di Loreto.
The showing offered the audience a rare insight into the early stage of an artistic process, where new ideas are tried out and the classical language of ballet encounters experimental approaches. Here, the potential became clear for how the choreographers of the future can challenge and renew the ballet tradition in the lead-up to the premiere at the Old Stage on 27 February 2026.

Spring has been filled with exciting activities, where the choreographic talents have not only strengthened their leadership skills, but also become more confident in pitching their choreographies, participated in task days, and taken part in a choreographic workshop.
During the leadership course, the participants received guidance from Nana Senderovitz, producer at Sort/Hvid, and Sofie Westh, founder of Another Life. They worked on personal leadership and gained tools to manage a sustainable creative process – including how to navigate potential conflicts and challenges.
Lise Mühlhausen helped the choreographers sharpen their communication skills, ensuring they are well-equipped to present their choreographies to others.
Over Easter, Adam Linder flew in from Berlin to lead a workshop in an interdisciplinary approach that explores movement in new ways beyond the conventional dance stage.
Once again this year, the talents were thrown into task days – this time culminating in a political march. Emerson, Linn, and Lorenzo created a powerful choreography, and the dancers embraced the challenge with energy and courage.
In the coming months, the choreographers will continue to refine their communication skills, take part in more task days, and conclude the programme with a final showing in June.

Photo: Mark Philip

After welcoming 16 talented choreographers through the KOREORAMA development programme, we have expanded the initiative this spring with an advanced track. This year’s KOREORAMA programme is designed to build on the participants' existing skills and provide them with new challenges, helping them refine and develop their choreographic abilities.
We are very excited to introduce this year’s advanced group: Linn Fletcher, Emerson Moose, and Lorenzo Di Loreto. We look forward to a year filled with laughter, creative obstacles, and surprises.
The advanced programme offers choreographic workshops with skilled instructors from around the world and a range of exciting courses covering everything from dramaturgy to communication.

Photo: Mark Philip

Three years have passed since the first group began the KOREORAMA development Programme. Over the last three years, we have welcomed 15 unique choreographic talents, each of whom has successfully developed their choreographic profile. Several KOREORAMA talents have showcased their works on Gamle Scene in the performances KOREORAMA No. 01, where audiences experienced Passengers of Passing Moments by Tara Schaufuss, DON’T BE SCARED by Lorenzo Di Loreto, and Trois Nocturnes by Tobias Praetorius, and KOREORAMA No. 02, including The Pearl by Eliabe D’Abadia, Am I doing it right? by Carling Talcott-Steenstra, and Have you noticed I’m grieving? by Oliver Marcus Starpov. In the autumn, Eukene Sagues, from the first KOREORAMA group, choreographed her first full-length ballet, Blood Wedding, also on Gamle Scene.

Over the past three years, we have witnessed experimental choreographies blending classical techniques with innovative ideas, paving the way for creative directions. The three KOREORAMA groups have shared laughter and tears, creating an environment to explore and develop their choreographic skills while challenging the traditional language of ballet. Through the program, the choreographers have learned how vital leadership is in creating a production — with coordination, collaboration, and managing the process from concept to stage.

The program has provided a space for passionate dancers and budding choreographers to test their own ideas and draw upon one another's strengths. We have seen how fresh perspectives can shape ballet in ways that both surprise and inspire.

We bid farewell to an incredible journey, where courage and curiosity have gone hand in hand, and we look forward to sharing the next chapter of KOREORAMA with you.

Being a choreographer includes of all aspects of a ballet production. Therefore, in November, the choreographers participated in workshops on process management, production, and music understanding. To teach the talents about process management, we welcomed Nana Senderovitz, a producer at Sort/Hvid. The choreography talents were taught by Kim Helweg, who has been a pianist at the Royal Danish Theatre for over 30 years. The choreographers left the three workshops with great enthusiasm and a newfound understanding of the work involved in the various elements of a production.

On the most recent Task Day, the choreographers worked closely together under significant time pressure to create a joint choreography. The talents succeeded in finding a shared choreographic approach and delivered an impressive and successful choreography.

As the year comes to an end, we are wrapping up another cohort of choreography talents at KOREORAMA. At the beginning of December, we celebrated the four choreographers - Linn Fletcher, Jimmy Colemann, Emerson Moose, and Leander Rebholz - who have now completed a year-long KOREORAMA development program. Congratulations to all four choreographers! We look forward to following their continued choreographic development.

KOREORAMA is constantly evolving, and this fall, we’ve developed a new format: Task Days. The aim is to push choreographic talents to break new ground. Task Days not only set a framework for the creative process but also give choreographers the chance to intuitively continue their artistic work through unexpected assignments.

We began the season with a Task Day in August, where the choreographers created solos focused on audience engagement and then combined their work into duets. At the end of the day, the choreographers received a homework assignment to create a duet based on H.C. Andersen’s tale The Shadow.

During the second Task Day, the choreographers presented four very different interpretations of The Shadow, exploring themes of femininity and masculinity, work/life balance, sibling rivalry, and surrender. After the showcase, the choreographers exchanged pieces, giving them new challenges and space to enhance the works and approach the steps from fresh perspectives. The final Task Day will take place in December, marking the end of Koreorama programme 2024.

Photo: Mark Philip

Dancers Astrid Elbo and Agnes Rosendahl in the rehearsal studio.

The KOREORAMA 2024 team kicked off the season with a workshop on representation and inclusion, followed by a choreographic workshop.

In mid-August, KOREORAMA had a visit from Studio Wayne McGregor. Choreographer and artist Jessica Wright led a three-day workshop with the choreography talents. During the workshop, the team experimented with choreographic ideas and developed small choreographies for various exercises, both individually and in groups.

August finished with a workshop on representation and inclusion. The workshop was led by Sofie Westh, Project Manager and Co-founder, and Shayi Addean, Project Coordinator, from the organisation Another Life, which works to increase representation in the cultural sector. The workshop focused on intersectionality, inclusion, the creation of a shared value foundation, and how this can translate into concrete actions.

Another Life workshop in inclusion and representation

At the beginning of June, Group 2023 completed the basic course in KOREORAMAS's talent program. Congratulations to Phillippa Gudsøe, Fiona Lee, Carling Talcott-Steenstra, Oliver Starpov, Nico Janssen and Nathan Compiano!

On June 21 and 22, 2023, Group 2024 presented five small works to an invited audience after two weeks of intensive rehearsals with dancers from the company. The purpose of KOREORAMA's showings is to let the choreographic talents go through a rehearsal process in mini format, where they can test an artistic idea and gain experience in leading an artistic creation process. Prior to the rehearsal process, they also went through a three-day workshop with choreographer Bobbi Jene Smith, who shared her experiences and some of her methods for creating choreographic material.

Photo: Mark Philip

Erosa by Emerson Moose. Dancers: Clara Adrian and Philip Katsnelson.

Photo: Mark Philip

ApoNocti by Leander Rebholz. Dancers: Grace Curry and Sylvester Plougmann Jonson.

Photo: Mark Philip

Ya Ya by Jimmy Coleman. Dancers: Georgi Kapitanski and Agnes Rosendahl.

Photo: Mark Philip

THE ACT OF DYING by Linn Fletcher. Dancers: Isabella Carroll and MacLean Hopper.

Photo: Mark Philip

Not in the Forecast by Fiona Lee. Dancers: Afonso Coelho and Sophie Præfke Andersen.

The new group, which started in KOREORAMA’s talent development programme in January, has through the spring undergone a leadership course with psychologist Jørn Ravnholt and a course in concept development with stage director Therese Wilstedt. Additionally, they participated in a 3-day choreographic workshop with choreographer Paul Lightfoot, had their own rehearsals with dancers from the company, and are soon starting an intensive rehearsal period that will culminate in a showing for an invited audience in June.

Meanwhile, the group that started in January 2023 is in the final phase of the talent development program. This spring, they have gone through an independent course focused on the development of their individual artistry with the support of experts from the field and the project group. The program culminated in individual film projects that showcase the talents' processes and reflections, as well as a piece of choreography they have been working on over the past few months.

Choreographer Philippa Gudsøe with dancer Georgi Kapitanski in rehearsal

Leander Rebholz
Jimmy Coleman
Emerson Moose
Linn Fletcher

During January, the group participated in a choreographic workshop with Stephanie Thomasen, choreographer and artistic director of Uppercut Danseteater. They have also commenced their classes in concept development and leadership and are now starting their choreographic work in the studio. 

Group 2023 is currently in the final stage of the KOREORAMA programme, which focuses on the development of their original artistry.

In the spring, audiences can experience the work of four choreographic talents on the big stages of The Royal Danish Theater: Koreorama 1.0 featuring three works by Tara Schaufuss, Tobias Praetorius, and Lorenzo Di Loreto, as well as Under Dybet with choreography by Oliver Starpov (in collaboration with Sebastian Kloborg).

The KOREORAMA talents are currently undergoing their individual mentoring courses. With the guidance of a mentor, each talent works with a specific area of ​​development. Some talents develop their choreographic method, while others develop their artistic project management skills or their dramaturgical skills. All KOREORAMA's mentors are specialized in the performing arts. The mentors are; Astrid Øye (playwright and dramaturgical consultant), Nana Senderovitz (artistic producer), Jens Brøndum (choreographer and dancer), Sebastian Kloborg (choreographer) and Therese Willstedt (stage director).

In addition to the individual mentor course, this fall offers classes in theater production, musical understanding, and diversity perspectives. The choreographers also rehearse in the studio and will receive feedback from KOREORAMA's critical friends at an open rehearsal in December. The artistic council consists of Anna Balslev (stage director, The Royal Danish Theatre), Thomas Bendixen (stage director and artistic director of KGLDansk, The Royal Danish Theatre), Liv Helm (stage director and artistic director, Husets Teater), Eva Præstiin (producer and director, Betty Nansen Teatret), Tina Tarpgaard (choreographer and artistic director, Sydhavn Teater), Stephanie Thomasen (choreographer and artistic director, Uppercut Danseteater), Sandra Yi Sencindiver (actor, stage director and artistic director, danskdansk).

In March and April 2024, you can experience three choreographers, all of whom are involved in the Koreorama development project, at the Old Stage at The Royal Danish Ballet. The choreographers are Tara Schaufuss, Lorenzo Di Loreto and Tobias Praetorius.

Photo: Mark Philip

Nathan Compiano with dancer Sebastian Haynes and mentor Jens Brøndum.

Photo: Mark Philip

Philippa Gudsøe with mentor Astrid Øye.

At the beginning of June, Group 2022 completed the 1,5 year course in KOREORAMA's talent programme. Congratulations to Eliabe D'Abadia, Eukene Sagues, Tara Schaufuss and Ryan Tomash.

KOREORAMA class 2022 med balletmester Nikolaj Hübbe.

On June 16th. and 17th, Group 2023 presented seven small works to an invited audience. The purpose of KOREORAMA's showings is to let the choreographic talents try a short rehearsal process in a small scale format, where they can test an artistic idea and gain experience in leading an artistic creation process.

Photo: Mark Philip

Efemmeral by Fiona Lee. Dancers: Caroline Iversen, Anne Poulsen.

Photo: Mark Philip

Studies on Nocturnes and Dance by Tobias Praetorius. Dancers: Alyssa Douglass, Afonso Coelho.

Céilidh, an exploration by Nico Janssen. Dancers: Mattia Santini.

Photo: Mark Philip

But Right Now We're Here by Carling Talcott-Steenstra. Dancers: Grace Curry, Philip Duclos.

Photo: Mark Philip

BLOSSOM by Philippa Gudsøe. Dancers: Katarina von Lingelsheim, Sebastian Suhr.

Photo: Mark Philip

Beloved by Nate Compiano. Dancers: Sebastian Pico Haynes, Nate Compiano.

Photo: Mark Philip

Have you noticed I’m grieving? by Oliver Starpov. Dancers: Isabella Carroll, Schonan Greve, Emilie Palsgaard-Jensen, Oliver Starpov.

In April, The Royal Danish Ballet sent choreographer Eukene Sagues from the KOREORAMA class of 2022 to London to participate in The Royal Ballet’s International Draft Works 2023. International Draft Works is a recurring event, presenting a selection of works by up-and-coming choreographic talents. At the event, Eukene Sagues presented her piece The Silence of Birds, re-interpreted as a duet danced by the choreographer herself and Meirambek Nazargozhayev, who is a member of the corps de ballet of The Royal Danish Ballet.

Experience The Silence of Birds as part of the Dans2Go programme at the Old Stage in April-May 2023.

Photo: Andrej Uspenski

Photo: Andrej Uspenski

In January, a new class of choreographic talents started in the KOREORAMA programme:

Phillippa Gudsøe
Fiona Lee
Carling Talcott-Steenstra
Oliver Starpov
Nico Janssen
Nathan Compiano

In January, February and March, they took a course in concept development and leadership, and they will now start working on choreographic creation in the studio.

The class of 2022 is currently taking their final course in KOREORAMA, which focuses on the development of their original artistry and is largely managed by the talents themselves.

The Silence of Birds by KOREORAMA choreographer Eukene Sagues can again be experienced on stage.

In October, KOREORAMA had its first premiere with the piece The Silence of Birds by Eukene Sagues.

The performances return in April 2023.

In November and December, the choreographic talents have been working on their individual competence development through targeted mentoring courses focusing on the artistic and leadership aspects of the choreographer's role. Alongside this, the talents have spent time in the studio with dancers. In early December, we held an open rehearsal, where the talents worked in the studio and received feedback from artistic experts, in-house artists as well as external specialists.

In August, the choreographic talents started a course on the production processes of the institutional theater. The talents have gained insight into what goes on in the various production departments at The Royal Danish Theater and have been introduced to the project structures that are important for choreographers to learn how to navigate within. An important focal point has been the collaboration between the artistic team and the production team – the choreographers have been given guidance on how to create the best conditions for creative and dynamic collaborations with the institutional theater's many specialized employees. Alongside this, the talents have started individual mentoring courses focusing on developing specific competences. Some mentoring courses focus on dramaturgy, music, or concept development, while others focus on leadership competences.

In October, KOREORAMA will have its first premiere when the choreographer Eukene Sagues premieres her piece The Silence of Birds, as part of the Dans2Go programme.

In May, we had our first two KOREORAMA Workshops led by Paul Lightfoot and Adi Salant, respectively. The choreographic talents and a number of other dancers from the company participated. The two workshops focused on the processes of choreographic creation, on the collaboration between choreographer and dancers, and on critically reviewing one’s own material. At both workshops, the choreographic talents received feedback on their creative processes and leadership styles.

In early June, an intensive rehearsal process began, during which choreographers and dancers developed choreographic material based on the concepts created by the choreographic talents during the course in concept development at the beginning of the year. As part of the rehearsal period, the talents got an opportunity to work with effects such as light and sound in collaboration with the theater's technicians. As part of the development process, the talents received dramaturgical feedback from dramaturg Astrid Øye.

The rehearsal period culminated with two showings on June 17th and 18th. At the showings, the choreographic talents presented their material to an invited audience. The showings were characterised by rich artistic diversity and a sharp focus on the choreographic craft. At the same time, each presentation included a link between the choreography and the concept, which made the showings a series of small glimpses into larger choreographic narratives with the potential to unfold.

After the showings, the choreographic talents had a reflection session with psychologist Jørn Ravnholt, and after a well-deserved summer holiday, they will get artistic and processual feedback on their work before starting new courses in the fall.

KOREORAMA has started!

In January 2022, the first five choreographic talents started in the program: Tara Schaufuss, Eukene Sagues, Matteo Di Loreto, Eliabe D'Abadia, Ryan Tomash. The five talents have taken a course in concept development (led by stage director Therese Willstedt) as well as a course in leadership and psychology (led by psychologist Jørn Ravnholt). As part of the course in concept development, the talents have developed their own concepts, which form the basis for small-scale pre-studies in the rehearsal studio. In these pre-studies, the talents are working with dancers from the company who have expressed an interest in participating in the project as dancers. Dancer Oliver Starpov has participated in the course in leadership and psychology and will join the full KOREORAMA programme from May onwards.

In May, the talents will participate in two choreography workshops led by Paul Lightfoot and Adi Salant, respectively. A significant number of dancers from the company will also participate in these workshops. In June, the talents will have a rehearsal period of two weeks culminating in work-in-progress showings in mid-June. During this period, a dramaturgical consultant (Astrid Øye) will be attached to the project, providing ongoing guidance and feedback. After the showings, the talents will receive artistic feedback from the Artistic Director of the Ballet.

The talents continue their education in the fall.