Iconic BAM Artists

Over the 36 years in which Pina Bausch (1940—2009) shaped the work of Tanztheater Wuppertal, she created an oeuvre that casts an unerring gaze at reality, while simultaneously giving us the courage to be true to our own wishes and desires. Bausch was appointed director of dance for the Wuppertal theater in 1973. The form she developed in those early years was wholly unfamiliar. In her performances the players did not merely dance; they spoke, sang, and sometimes laughed or cried. Dance-theater evolved into a unique genre, inspiring choreographers across the globe and influencing theater and classical ballet in the process. Its success can be attributed to the fact that Bausch made a universal human need the key subject of her work—the need for love, intimacy, and emotional security. It was during the 1984 Spring Season at BAM that New York audiences had their first chance to view Bausch's work. She and her company continued to captivate audiences for years to come; their 13 successive appearances have been some of the most popular and highly anticipated events at BAM. Bausch's unique ensemble, now under the direction of Artistic Director Lutz Förster and General Director Dirk Hesse (following the joint leadership of Dominique Mercy and Robert Sturm), maintains Bausch’s groundbreaking artistic vision.