


CONNY JANSSEN DANST, located in Rotterdam, has been one of the most prominent modern dance troupes in the Netherlands since 1992. The works of its artistic leader Conny Janssen are widely known for their strongly physical and theatrical power of the dancers, and the surprising diversity of their performances, in which highly qualitative dance is always paramount.
The thematic of the big city forms a significant breeding ground. Conny Janssen is a specialist in creating on-site performances: from theatre to factory hall, from church to parking garage. By entering into alliances with artists and institutions from the world of photography, film industry, architecture, theater and music, Conny Janssen puts dance in a broader perspective. The works of Conny Janssen were repeatedly accoladed and are to be seen on both national and international festivals. On account of this, the troupe developed into an important promoter of modern dance.
Conny Janssen’s choreographies are defined as ingenious, powerful, and stirring. Although her language of dance is unconnected, it merges into a sophisticated music choice, composition, and lighting. On top of that, her works are characterized by a versatility, which every time turn out to be unpredictable voyages of discovery for both her dancers and her audience. She melts together her flexible, outstanding language of dance with the personal qualities of her dancers. Therefore, her dancers stand on the stage as human beings of flesh and blood. Fragile, passionately, and with fighting spirit.
On-site performance from June 24 till July 10 2010
COMMON GROUND is a novelty for the choreographer Conny Janssen, a native of Rotterdam: this is the first time that she will be introducing an open-air performance on the roof of the Hofplein train station. A forgotten, and abandoned area in the heart of Rotterdam.
Weeds shoot up here between the cracks of the concrete, and the elements can freely do whatever they want. The area is completely surrounded by train rails, and anonymous, reflective apartment buildings, of which you can only suspect that people actually live in there. Ten tough, and well-matched dancers create their own alienated world in this harsh no man’s land. Supported by Michel Banabila’s live music, they chase away the silence, and fill up the space once again.
A harsh and inhospitable location, in which theater amenities are hard to find. Not the most logical location for a dance performance. Conny Janssen: I find these ‘ non-filled up’ places in this city enormously inspiring. These are oases, which give you the feeling that you have discovered them all by yourself. They leave scope for the imagination. I want to chase away the prevailing silence, populate them, and take possession of them. She will look for ways to control the space together with her dancers. The final result is not known yet, but it is certain that it will become a unique, expressive, and overwhelming performance, the decor of which is a city that will gradually be shrouded in darkness.
PLAYLIST
Thursday 24, Friday 25, Saturday June 26
+ special guest: Operasinger Daniela Bernoulli
Wednesday June 30, Thursday 1, Friday 2, Saturday July 3
+ special guest: Saxophonist Mete Erker
www.mete.nl
Wednesday 7, Thursday 8, Friday 9, Saturday July 10
+ special guest: Guitarist Corrie van Binsbergen www.corrievanbinsbergen.com
Start of performance: 9.30 pm
BUY TICKETS
Online: CLICK HERE
Dial: +31 [0]10-4118110
Cashdesk: Schouwburgplein 25, Rotterdam
Dinner, music, talk shows
COMMON GROUND is more than merely dance. A café is fitted up on the platform, giving some 50 visitors room to dine prior to the performance.
Click here to reserve for diner.
In order to prepare for the coming performance - and prior to this performance- a talk show takes place in the café every night ; on this occasion various guests are invited to participate. On top of that, all visitors are welcome after the end of the performance to have a talk on the performance over a drink, and enjoy some live music in the café at the platform.
CREDITS
Choreography Conny Janssen / Dancers Khai Vu, Francesca Periguel, Imre van Opstal (intern), Merel Lammers (intern), Gideon Poirier, Christiana Ruggieri, Winston Amon, Lola Mino, Martijn Kappers, Dario Tortorelli / Music Michel Banabila/ Stage setting Thomas Rupert/ Lighting design Marc Heinz/ Video design Harmen van ‘t Loo & Thomas Rupert / Dramaturgy Judith Wendel / Repetitor Stefan Ernst
2009
SO HERE WE ARE featuring ORIGINAL WINDS / première theatre March 15th 2009, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
RUIS featuring students Codarts Rotterdamse Dansacademie / première October 8th 2009, Theater Lantaren/Venster, Rotterdam
2008
SPARRING PARTNERS /part 1 première location March 30th 2008, Orgelpark, Amsterdam
SPARRING PARTNERS/part 2 première theatre April 10th 2008, Theater Lantaren/Venster, Rotterdam
2007
PARELS première December 20th 2007, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
SO HERE WE ARE première location 30th June 2007, Van Nelle Ontwerpfabriek, Rotterdam
IN TWO MINDS special version | DANScombinatie | in cooperation with Krisztina de Châtel & Ann van den Broek | première January 21th 2007, Theater aan het Spui, Den Haag
2006
IN TWO MINDS première theatre October 10th 2006, ISALA theater, Capelle aan den IJssel
THREE première October 10th 2006, ISALA theatre, Capelle aan den IJssel
IN TWO MINDS première location September 16th 2006, Keizerzaal, Sint Servaas-basiliek, Maastricht
HEAR ME première March 5th 2006, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
2005
LOST première November 9th 2005, Holland Dance Festival, Korzo Theater, Den Haag
REBOUND première October 15th 2005, ISALA theater, Capelle aan den IJssel
MANOEUVRES première June 17th 2005, Zomerfestival Parade, Rotterdam
I'M HERE première March 12th 2005, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
2004
LICHT première February 5th 2004, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
Washington square | Het Nationale Ballet | Holland Festival
2003
TROOST première October 7th 2003, ISALA theater, Capelle aan den IJssel
VUIL & GLASS in cooperation with Cello Octet Conjunto Ibérico | première theatre February 13th 2003, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
2002
VUIL & GLASS in cooperation with Cello Octet Conjunto Ibérico | première location July 18th 2002, Zomerfestival Karavaan, Huisvuilcentrale NH, Alkmaar
NUMBER ONE première March 2nd 2002, Theater Zuidplein, Rotterdam
BLUF| Introdans, ensemble voor de jeugd
In Between | in cooperation with Fontys Dansacademie
2001
MEET ME, A DANCER première November 16th 2001, Holland Dance Festival, Theaterzwembad De Regentes, Den Haag
ALBUM FAMILIAR | DANScombinatie 2 | in cooperation with Scapino Ballet Rotterdam & Dance Works Rotterdam | première February 2nd 2001, Theater Zuidplein, Rotterdam
2000
INSTINCT première October 11th 2000, Theater Zuidplein, Rotterdam
CATCH! | Introdans, ensemble voor de jeugd
1999
KUS VAN EEN VIS première November 2nd 1999, Theater Zuidplein, Rotterdam
OKTOBER première January 8th 1999, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
1998
MADE TO MEASURE | Introdans
VIJZEL in cooperation with Cello Octet Conjunto Ibérico | première February 25th 1998, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
PISTE | Introdans, ensemble voor de jeugd
1997
COME ACROSS | Rotterdamse Dansacademie
1996
HAVEN’T I MET YOU SOMEWHERE BEFORE | Introdans
WELK EEN EER VOOR HET VADERLAND TE MOGEN STERVEN première theatre October 15th 1996, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
WELK EEN EER VOOR HET VADERLAND TE MOGEN STERVEN première location August 29th 1996, Mullerpier, Rotterdam
FRAMES PER SECOND: PORTRAITS-LANDSCAPES première February 28th 1996, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
1995
IN HET VOORBIJGAAN | Dansgroep Krisztina de Châtel
4 TOKEN | dance movie, director Mart Dominicus
A SILENT PLACE TO REST | Introdans
DANCE TO THE LIVE MUSIC | project Anjerfonds Zuid-Holland
WHEN MOST I WINK, THEN DO MINE EYES BEST SEE première February 7th1995, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
MANNERS première February 7th 1995, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
1993
IN EEN ANDER JASJE | in cooperation with Kim van der Boon, Danstheater Arena
DONDER OP | Introdans, ensemble voor de jeugd
WEEPING WALS première October 1st 1993, Goudse Schouwburg, Gouda
THE UNANSWERED QUESTION première October 1st 1993, Goudse Schouwburg, Gouda
1992
LOS ZAND | Moderne Theaterdans
MOVING TARGET première September 25th 1992, Leidse Schouwburg, Leiden
MONOLOOG VOOR TWEE HELFTEN première September 24th 1992, Leidse Schouwburg, Leiden
ELOÏ ELOÏ première theatre September 24th 1992, Leidse Schouwburg, Leiden
1991
ELOÏ ELOÏ Hoppers nightmare | i.s.m. Glenn van der Hoff
1989
FAÇADE | Djazzex
1988
THE UNDERTOW | Djazzex
