Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch — Season 2025/26 (June 2026)

Wuppertal — World Capital of Dance Theatre

Ever since Pina Bausch took over and redefined Tanztheater Wuppertal in 1973, the city in the Bergisches Land region has been one of the most important addresses for contemporary dance worldwide. Even after Pina Bausch's death in 2009, the ensemble continues to carry on her work — restored, restudied, interpreted by new generations. The Wuppertal Opera House is its home stage. And June 2026 marks the highlight of the 2025/26 season: three legendary pieces in four weeks.

June 2026 — The Program in Detail

Kontakthof and Echoes of '78 — June 4, 5, 6, 7

The opening features a dual exploration of „Kontakthof“ — a milestone in Pina Bausch's oeuvre:

• June 4, 6, 7, 2026, 2:00 PM — „Kontakthof“ in its classic version
• June 4, 5, 6, 2026, 7:30 PM — „Kontakthof — Echoes of '78“ by Pina Bausch / Meryl Tankard, a new interpretation with 9 members of the original 1978 cast

This pairing is one of the season's most significant artistic decisions: the work presented in two interpretations directly side-by-side.

Nelken — June 18, 19, 20, 21

From June 18 to 21, 2026, „Nelken“ will be performed, a key work by Bausch from 1982 — the iconic dance on a stage full of fresh carnations, one of Pina Bausch's most visually untamed choreographies.

Sweet Mambo — June 26, 27, 28

Concluding the month is „Sweet Mambo“ on June 26, 27, and 28 — one of Bausch's late pieces (premiered in 2008, a year before her death), showcasing her mature style blending wit, melancholy, and choreographic precision.

The 2025/26 Season — Bigger Than Just June

For the 2025/26 season, Tanztheater Wuppertal has planned a total of 81 performances featuring 12 productions — including 9 pieces by Pina Bausch and 2 by Boris Charmatz (the current artistic director). 39 performances will be held in Wuppertal, with 42 as guest performances and tours in 10 countries. In November 2025, the company embarked on an Asia tour: „Nelken“ in Seoul and Sejong (South Korea), „Sweet Mambo“ in Kyoto and Saitama (Japan).

Four New Ensemble Members

Four new dancers have joined the international ensemble: since January 2025, Edd Arnold (Great Britain) and Samuel Famechon (France); since August 2025, Claudia Ortiz Arraiza (Puerto Rico) and Melanie Martinez (USA). The ensemble continues its tradition of international renewal.

Wuppertal Opera House — The Home Stage

The Wuppertal Opera House in Barmen, located on Kurt-Drees-Straße, has been the home venue for Tanztheater for decades. Its architecture allows for a classic stage format with a frontal perspective — crucial for Bausch's pieces, which often utilize the full width of the stage. The venue is operated by the Wuppertal Bühnen association and hosts opera and drama in addition to dance theatre.

Wuppertal — The City of the Schwebebahn and Dance

Wuppertal (approx. 360,000 inhabitants) is the largest city in the Bergisches Land region, primarily known for the Schwebebahn (suspended monorail) over the Wupper river — which serves as both a landmark and everyday transportation. Culturally, Wuppertal is shaped by Pina Bausch's Tanztheater (a world-renowned institution), the Von der Heydt Museum, and its music scene (pop and classical). Visitors to Wuppertal are drawn to its blend of industrial history, hilly landscapes, and avant-garde art.