Influences and Collaborations

The major influence that impacted Pina Bausch was the leaders of the German Expressionist movement. Kurt Jooss and Rudolf von Laban were the two main focuses that shaped how Pina Bausch created her production. Pina Bausch produced performance that was considered “dance theatre” which was original created by Rudolf von Laban. Pina Bausch first met Kurt Jooss when she started dancing at the Flokwangenschule in Essen, German. At the time Kurt Jooss was the school’s director and was Pina Bausch first dance teacher. After graduating from the Folkswangenschule, Pina Bausch moved to New York City and attended Julliards on a scholarship. There she was taught by Anthony Tudors, Jose Limon, and Paul Taylor. She danced for Anthony Tudor’s ballet company when she was living in New York City. After graduating Julliards, Pina Bausch moved back to Germany to dance for Folkswangen Taz Theatre. Kurt Jooss was the director of the dance company at the time and took Pina under his wing. In a few years following, Pina Bausch began to choreograph on the company and became the artistic director of the Folkswangen Tanz Theatre. There are not many multi-disciplinary collaborations that Pina Bausch took part in. She required her dancers to be able to dance, sing, and act so there was no need to hire singers and actors. Her sets, when they were elaborate, were designed by Pina Bausch’s late husband Rolf Borzik.