“I don´t think art will change the world, but it can help us to understand it better,” Marina Mascarell
Danish Dance Theatre is Denmark’s national company for contemporary dance, home to 10 carefully chosen, full-time dancers. From their base at the Royal Danish Opera House, they bring world-class dance to audiences across the country, with a special focus on bold new productions for both children and adults. Their performances are fearless, uncompromising, and deeply rooted in the present moment—works that dare to mirror the world we live in with striking vulnerability, sparking thought and inviting questions. Since 1.4.2023, the Spanish choreographer Marina Mascarell has been the company’s Artistic Director. Danish Dance Theatre is celebrated for its dynamic and diverse repertoire, ranging from grand productions at the Royal Danish Theatre, open air festivals and events to more intimate performances that challenge and inspire.
With a diverse troupe of dancers from around the world, the company continually pushes the boundaries of contemporary dance, embodying Mascarell’s deep commitment to humanist values. Her internationally acclaimed work, along with her invitations to other distinguished choreographers, brings fresh perspectives to the company’s repertoire, enriching both the national and international dance landscapes. Each season, Danish Dance Theatre makes a significant impact on the international stage through extensive tours while also nurturing the local dance scene in Denmark. The company plays a vital role in the development of contemporary dance, not only through its performances but also by organizing annual events that foster creativity and collaboration within the dance community.
Founded in 1981, Danish Dance Theatre has grown into a major cultural institution. With the solid foundation laid by previous artistic directors Randi Patterson with Anette Abildgaard, Ingrid Buchholtz, Mikaela Barnekow, Warren Spears, Tim Rushton and Pontus Lidberg, the company continues to evolve. Today, Danish Dance Theatre stands at the forefront of contemporary dance, offering powerful and thought-provoking performances that captivate and engage audiences worldwide. Danish Dance Theatre receives funding from the Ministry of Culture. In addition, individual performances receive support from private and public foundations.
“I try to find the artistic independence taking artistic risks, avoiding the routine and conventions. It remains essential to continue a questioning attitude,” Marina Mascarell
Danish Dance Theatre’s Manifest
1. We present the richness of our art form
As the national company of Denmark, our aim is to embody both the artistic excellence of dance, the diversity and the richness of our art form so the audiences can encounter and discover the big spectrum of dance practices. In that way, we spark curiosity and engagement with both the art and the world it reflects.
2. We believe in the body as a revolutionary tool
Our dancers are more than just performers—they are artists who use their body to express meaningful ideas. We see the body as a powerful tool for reacting to the now and envisioning new possibilities for the future. By pushing the boundaries of movement, we explore the body’s potential to provoke thought and reflect upon today’s society.
3. Choreography is a mirror of our times
Choreography, for us, is an act of engagement, and reflection. It responds to the times, to social tensions, political shifts and cultural transformation. We believe in the ability of dance to reshape the way we perceive the world.
4. We engage with communities beyond the stage
Our work extends beyond the stage, reaching out to diverse communities and audiences. We seek to connect with today’s society through different forms of engagement— participatory projects, community outreach, initiatives for kids & youth, or site-specific performances. By making it accessible, we create opportunities for shared experience and awakening the love for our art form.
5. We work with sustainable practices for the future
We also have a responsibility towards future generations, not only in terms of the environment but also in the social and artistic practices we cultivate. Our work is grounded in principles of sustainability, in mindful production processes, in the use of resources and in creating a caring workspace for all. We want to ensure that our art remains responsible and conscious. See concrete examples below on this page related to Theatre Green Book.
6. We celebrate inclusion and dialogue
We celebrate an environment with multiple voices, identities, and artistic perspectives. Our processes are rooted in dialogue, mutual respect, and openness which are values that shape our creative practices.
7. We believe in the power of collaboration
Dance has the power to bring together artists from across disciplines – music, visual arts, design, science, philosophy, literature, … All of them united by a common and genuine interest in dance. In addition, collaborations with other institutions are essential to our work, as they demonstrate how dance also has the capacity to connect with new people and be relevant in other contexts.
8. We curate without labels
In our curatorial approach, we are inviting artists that are not interested in binary ways of perception but in creating a space where multiple expressions of identity can thrive, beyond gender stereotypes. We like to challenge limiting narratives and to embrace the real complexity and ambiguity of who we are.
Watch all the manifest videos HERE
Sustainable Cultural Life NOW, in collaboration with Danish Theatre, has selected ten theatres to lead the green transition in the performing arts industry – and we are proud to be on board. Through the pilot project Theatre Green Book Accelerator Programme, the theatres will implement the Theatre Green Book method in a Danish context.
Danish Dance Theatre is very conscious of our climate footprint, and we work actively to produce sustainable performing arts. DRIP TEKHNE was our first production where we committed to following the standards of Theatre Green Book. Theatre Green Book is the leading European tool for greening theatre and cultural production, developed by some of the most important theatres in the UK. Danish Dance Theatre follows the basic standards of the Theatre Green Book, which means that at least 50% of costumes and set design must be made from recycled or upcycled materials, and at least 65% of the materials must be able to live on after the production is over. For the costume design in DRIP TEKHNE, the sustainability principles also serve as a creative guideline in the design process, as all the bottoms are recycled and only the tops are new – and made from sustainable materials. By maintaining a dialogue with nature and the world around us, we create work that respects the interconnectedness of life and ensures that our art remains responsible.
The Theatre Green Book programme was launched in March 2025 and runs for a year and a half. Read more at Danish Theatre or theatregreenbook.com
