COMPAGNIE MAGUY MARIN
COMPANY HISTORY
Created by Maguy Marin and Daniel Ambash in 1978 as the Ballet Théâtre de l'Arche, COMPAGNIE MAGUY MARIN forged its reputation by winning First Prizes at both the Nyon (1977) and Bagnolet (1978) International Choreography Competitions. In 1981, Marin’s troupe (renamed Compagnie Maguy Marin in 1984) began a residency at the Maison de la Culture de Créteil. The Company remained there until 1990, when it was given a residency at the newly established Centre Chorégraphique National in Créteil. In 1998, it moved to the Centre Chorégraphique National in Rillieux-la-Pape, outside Lyon, where it remains.

One of France’s most popular cultural exports, the Company has performed throughout the world, seen in major cities in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Israel, Japan, Mexico and New Zealand. It made its U.S. debut at the 1983 American Dance Festival, and has since performed numerous times throughout the country with frequent seasons in New York City.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHY
MAGUY MARIN (Artistic Director), who was born in Toulouse, France of Spanish emigrant parents, began her dance studies at the age of eight at the Toulouse Conservatory. At 16, after winning the school’s highest honor, she studied in Paris for a year with the ballerina Nina Vyroubova. From 1969 to 1972, Marin was a member of the Strasbourg Opera, performing solo roles in such classical ballets as “Swan Lake” and “Giselle.”

In 1972, Marin enrolled at Mudra, the Brussels-based dance and theater school established by choreographer Maurice Béjart. She became a founding member of the group “Chandra” that originated at the school. From 1974 to 1977 she danced with Maurice Béjart's Ballets du XXe Siècle and in 1976 choreographed “Yu-Kuri” for the company. At the same time, she also collaborated with other choreographers such as Carolyn Carlson and created such works as “Ab,” Vous dirai-je maman,” “Aqua alta,” “Notre Faust,” “Heliogabale” and “Le Molière Imaginaire.” The following years brought the premiere of the evening-length “Babel Babel,” a season at the prestigious Théâtre des Champs Elysées, a commission from the Groupe de Recherche Choréographique de l'Opéra de Paris and the Grand Prix National Award for Choreography from France's Minister of Culture.

In 1985, Marin choreographed Prokofiev's “Cendrillon” for the Lyon Opera Ballet. Its 1987 American premiere in New York was an immediate success and the ballet toured the United States many times. The following year, she was made Knight in the Order of Arts and Literature. While continuing to create works for her own Company, Marin choreographed dances such as “Groosland” for the Dutch National Ballet, “Made in France” for the Nederlands Dans Theater 3, “Ay Dios” created for two “etoiles” of the Paris Opera and “Coppélia” for the Lyon Opera Ballet, where she was resident choreographer from 1992–1994. “Coppélia” was presented at the New York State Theater as part of the Lincoln Center Festival in 1996. In addition, works from her repertory have been performed by La Scala Ballet, Florence Opera Ballet, Nantes Opera Ballet and the Ballet Atlantico. In 2003, Marin was awarded the Samuel H. Scripps/American Dance Festival Award for lifetime achievement in modern dance.