Famous German Choreographers

Vote for Your Favourite German Choreographers

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 1 
Pina Bausch
(German Dancer and Choreographer Known for Her Neo-Expressionist Dance Tradition)
Pina Bausch
7
Birthdate: July 27, 1940
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Solingen, Germany
Died: June 30, 2009

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.

 2 
Oskar Schlemmer
(Artist and Choreographer Known for His Association with the 'Bauhaus School' & His Ballet 'Triadisches Ballett')
Oskar Schlemmer
3
Birthdate: September 4, 1888
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Stuttgart, Germany
Died: April 13, 1943

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.

 3 
Mary Wigman
(German Dancer Who Is Considered One of the Most Important Figures in the History of Modern Dance)
Mary Wigman
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Birthdate: November 13, 1886
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Hanover, Germany
Died: September 18, 1973

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.

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 4 
Kurt Jooss
(German Ballet Dancer and Choreographer)
Kurt Jooss
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Birthdate: January 12, 1901
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Wasseralfingen, Germany
Died: May 22, 1979

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.

 5 
Paula Riemann
(Filmmaker)
Paula Riemann
1
Birthdate: August 3, 1993
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Berlin, 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.

 6 
Ruth Berghaus
(German Choreographer, Opera and Theatre Director)
Ruth Berghaus
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Birthdate: July 2, 1927
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Dresden, Germany
Died: January 25, 1996

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.

 7 
Harald Kreutzberg
(German Dancer and Choreographer Best Known for Solos That Combined Dance With Mime)
Harald Kreutzberg
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Birthdate: December 11, 1902
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Liberec, Czechia
Died: April 25, 1968

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.

 8 
Maria Matray
(Actress)
Maria Matray
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Birthdate: July 14, 1907
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Niederschönhausen, German Empire
Died: October 30, 1993

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.

 9 
Maria Litto
(Ballet dancer)
Maria Litto
0
Birthdate: September 10, 1919
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Höxter, Germany
Died: October 25, 1996

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.