Pina Bausch was a German dancer remembered for her contribution to a neo-expressionist dance style which came to be known as the German Tanztheater. Bausch was also a choreographer and is credited with establishing the Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch. Bausch's works had a major influence on celebrities like David Bowie. She won many prestigious awards, including the Europe Theatre Prize.
German painter and sculptor Oskar Schlemmer had gained fame both for his paintings and for his choreographed avant-garde ballet productions such as Triadisches Ballett. He was a major influence behind bringing modern art exhibitions to the Stuttgart Academy of Fine Art. He had also served in World War I.
Mary Wigman was a German dancer best remembered for pioneering dance therapy and expressionist dance. Also a choreographer, Wigman is also credited with pioneering movement training sans pointe shoes. Widely regarded as one of the most prominent personalities in modern dance history, Mary Wigman is also considered an iconic figure of Weimar German culture.
Kurt Jooss was a German ballet dancer best remembered as the founder of the German Tanztheater. Jooss, who was also a choreographer, is credited with setting up many dance companies, including the famous Folkwang Tanztheater in Essen. Many of his works are performed even today in Germany.
Paula Riemann is a German choreographer and filmmaker who lives and works in London. She is best known for her work as a director and choreographer in Jasmin Tabatabai's Puppet on a String. Before establishing herself as a filmmaker, Paula Riemann worked as an actress, playing Melanie in the Die wilden Hühner trilogy for which she received the Undine Award.
One of Germany’s most influential opera and theater producers, Ruth Berghaus had initially begun her career as a dancer with the Berliner Ensemble and later graduated to production. She also often collaborated with her composer husband Paul Dessau. She was also associated with the Berlin State Opera and the Frankfurt Opera.
Harald Kreutzberg was a German choreographer and dancer. An exponent of German modern dance, Kreutzberg formed an unlikely partnership with ballet dancer Ruth Page which turned out to be successful. Harald Kreutzberg was also a talented ballet dancer and an entertainer.
Maria Matray was a German film actress and screenwriter who achieved popularity before the Weimar Republic was taken over by the Nazis. She then escaped to France from where she moved to the United States. In the US, Matray established herself as a writer and choreographer. Maria Matray returned to Germany after World War II ended.
Maria Litto was a German ballerina, choreographer, and actress best remembered for pioneering dance programming on German TV. Litto is also remembered for her association with the Berlin Opera company where she went on to become a prima ballerina in 1944. She also exhibited her dancing skills in several movies like Third from the Right and Queen of the Arena.