William Forsythe American dancer and choreographer Date of Birth: 30.12.1949 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Training
2. Stuttgart Ballet and Breakthrough
3. Director of Frankfurt Ballet
4. Key Works and Collaborations
5. TAT and New Horizons

Early Life and Training

William Forsythe was born in New York City in 1949. He began his dance training at Jacksonville University in Florida and later at the Robert Joffrey Ballet School. In 1973, he joined the Stuttgart Ballet as a dancer and subsequently began choreographing for the company.

Stuttgart Ballet and Breakthrough

Over seven years, Forsythe created over twenty ballets for the Stuttgart Ballet and leading companies including Ballet Basel, Munich Ballet, Deutsche Oper Berlin Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, and Netherlands Dance Theatre. In 1984, he became director of the Frankfurt Ballet, following his groundbreaking full-length work "In the Middle Somewhat Elevated" in 1983.

Director of Frankfurt Ballet

With his new company, Forsythe produced provocatively original works that challenged traditional ballet aesthetics and aimed to engage with a new audience. He developed a unique choreographic vocabulary that both expanded and renewed ballet technique while respecting its foundations.

Key Works and Collaborations

Among Forsythe's major works of the past 17 years are "Artifact" (1984), "Impressing the Czar" (1988), "Limb's Theorem" (1919), "Loss of Small Detail" (1991), ALIE/NA( C )TION (1992), Eidos:Telos (1995), "Endless House" (1999), and "The Room" (2000). He has continued to choreograph for renowned companies worldwide, such as New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, The Royal Ballet, and Royal Swedish Ballet.

TAT and New Horizons

The Frankfurt Ballet performs in opera houses, theaters, and internationally. Since 1999, it has also utilized the Bockenheimer Depot (TAT) in Frankfurt. By transforming a former tram depot into a dedicated dance space, Forsythe has continued to explore new possibilities in his work. In January 1999, he became director not only of the Frankfurt Ballet but also of TAT.