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| Samantha van Wissen | |
|---|---|
| Name | Samantha van Wissen |
| Occupation | Dancer, Choreographer, Teacher |
| Organizations | Rosas |
Samantha van Wissen
Samantha van Wissen is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, and pedagogue associated with European contemporary dance. She is best known for her long-term collaboration with Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and the company Rosas, and for teaching at institutions across Europe and North America. Her work intersects with contemporary dance, postmodern dance, and collaborative projects with musicians and visual artists.
Van Wissen was born in the Netherlands and trained in modalities that include influences from Dutch and Belgian arts institutions such as the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, Amsterdam School of the Arts, and networks linked to the Flemish Community. Her formative years included exposure to festivals and institutions like the Holland Festival, Paris Opera Ballet School exchanges, and study periods connected to the Codarts conservatory. Early mentorship and encounters with choreographers from companies such as Nederlands Dans Theater, Ballet Rambert, and institutions like Université libre de Bruxelles shaped her foundational techniques.
Her training drew on teachers and methodologies associated with figures and institutions like Pina Bausch, Merce Cunningham, Alwin Nikolais, and pedagogues from Laban Centre lineages. She studied repertory that included works by William Forsythe, Trisha Brown, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, and repertory from collectives such as Rosas, Belgian National Orchestra collaborations, and choreographers connected to Les Ballets C de la B. Influences also came via performance exchanges at venues like the Théâtre de la Monnaie, Hofesh Shechter Company tours, and festivals such as Avignon Festival and ImPulsTanz.
Van Wissen became a principal performer with Rosas, the company founded by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, performing in major productions staged at venues including Palais Garnier, Sadler's Wells Theatre, and KVS (Brussels). She participated in premieres and revivals that toured to institutions like Lincoln Center, Theatre de la Ville, Festival d'Automne à Paris, and collaborated with ensembles such as the Ictus Ensemble and orchestras including the Brussels Philharmonic. Her work in productions incorporated scores by composers and musicians like Steve Reich, Johann Sebastian Bach, Gustav Mahler, and collaborations with artists from Tom Johnson circles and Matthieu Laurette projects.
Outside Rosas, van Wissen collaborated with choreographers and companies such as Josse De Pauw, Jan Fabre, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker-adjacent initiatives, and projects connected to Les Brigittines and Kaaitheater. She worked with music ensembles like Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra-associated groups, participated in interdisciplinary projects with visual artists from Ghent University networks, and performed in productions supported by institutions such as the Flemish Government cultural agencies and European programs like Creative Europe. Her collaborations extended to international festivals including Venice Biennale, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Montpellier Danse, and partnerships with theaters like DeSingel.
Van Wissen developed choreographic works and pedagogical projects taught at conservatories and workshops hosted by the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, Conservatoire de Paris, Tanzhaus NRW, and summer programs like ImPulsTanz Summer Academy. She led masterclasses and residencies at institutions including P.A.R.T.S., SEAD, L'École des Sables-linked initiatives, and universities such as Université catholique de Louvain and Université libre de Bruxelles. Her teaching addressed repertory from Rosas, improvisation practices linked to Contact Improvisation lineages, and score-based methodologies influenced by Steve Paxton and Merce Cunningham legacies.
Her career received acknowledgment through nominations and awards associated with European arts prizes and institutions such as the Prix de la Critique, recognitions at the Prix de la SACD, and mentions in festivals like Festival d'Avignon retrospectives. She has been featured in publications and retrospectives supported by organizations including Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS), Flemish Community, and archival projects at museums such as the Musée de la Danse (Rennes) and collections linked to DanceUmbrella-curated programs.
Van Wissen's style reflects rigorous musicality, spatial precision, and an ethos derived from collaborations with Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Steve Reich, and contemporary European ensembles. Her legacy includes pedagogical influence at institutions like P.A.R.T.S., contributions to the dissemination of Rosas repertory, and participation in archival initiatives associated with Theatre of the Arts collections and European cultural heritage programs. She continues to be cited in discourse around contemporary choreography at venues and festivals including Sadler's Wells, Lincoln Center, and ImPulsTanz.
Category:Dutch dancers Category:Contemporary dancers