Théâtre Sévelin 36

Théâtre Sévelin 36
© BAK/Gregory Batardon

Théâtre Sévelin 36, Lausanne

Special Dance Award 2013

The Théâtre Sévelin 36 was founded by Philippe Saire in 1996, originally as a residence for his company. Since then, it has become one of the central platforms for the development and appreciation of contemporary dance in Switzerland. The dance centre is involved in three core activities:

national and international guest performances at events including the annual “Les Printemps de Sévelin” festival;
supporting the local scene by providing a location for production and performance, via the young talents platform “Les Quarts d’Heure” (part of the spring festival), as well as further training for professionals;
mediation activities such as “Les avant-après” before and after performances, additional studios and dance workshops for schools, clubs and amateurs either at the centre or elsewhere, with the aim of bringing contemporary dance to a wider audience.
Since August 2012 the theatre has also published its own half-yearly newspaper, “Le Trente-Six”, for this “place for dance”.

Philippe Saire

Philippe Saire is one of the pioneers of contemporary dance in Switzerland. He set up his own company back in 1986; to date, it has staged over 1,000 performances of around 25 works all over the world. Born in Algeria in 1957, Philippe Saire grew up in Lausanne and received his dance training from figures including Noemi Lapzeson in Geneva, as well as attending further training courses in Paris. In 1998 he received the Grand Prize of the Fondation Vaudoise pour la Culture followed, in 2004, by the Dance and Choreography Prize awarded by the Corymbo Foundation.

Caroline Minjolle, jury member

“The choreographer Philippe Saire has not only produced creations that have shaped the history of contemporary Swiss choreography but has also reaffirmed his enduring commitment to dance by creating an institution that is unique in Switzerland, the Théâtre Sévelin 36 in Lausanne. There, he and his team work tirelessly to create, promote and disseminate national and international works through a constantly renewed dialogue with numerous artists from other fields.”