CCN – Ballet de Lorraine

Direction Petter Jacobsson

Petter Jacobsson was born in Stockholm and spent much of his career in the United States, England and Russia, before finally settling in Nancy.

Named lead dancer at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London in the mid-80s, Jacobsson moved to New York City in 1993, where he trained under Merce Cunningham, a historic figure of postmodern dance, and collaborated with artists like Deborah Hay and Twyla Tharp. He met his artistic partner Thomas Caley in New York, and together they choreographed works in both New York and Stockholm. In 1999, he began managing the Royal Swedish Ballet and was awarded the title of choreographer by the Swedish Society of choreographers in 2002. Immediately after, Jacobsson and Caley created their own company. In 2011, they were appointed to lead the CCN—Ballet de Lorraine and its 25 performers, with Caley becoming their research coordinator.

At the CCN-Ballet de Lorraine, they focused on contemporary creation, emphasising aesthetic diversity and experimentation. Every year, they invite French and international choreographers to explore a new theme, allowing them to work with large groups of performers, which is often a rare opportunity for them.

Major figures in the field started to work within the three studios of the CCN, like Mathilde Monnier and Saburo Teshigawara, and representatives from the young generation, like Volmir Cordeiro and Marco da Silva Ferreira. The company also performed works from the repertoire in France and abroad, including pieces by Gisèle Vienne, Trisha Brown, and Merce Cunningham.

Petter Jacobsson was born in Stockholm and spent much of his career in the United States, England and Russia, before finally settling in Nancy.

Named lead dancer at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London in the mid-80s, Jacobsson moved to New York City in 1993, where he trained under Merce Cunningham, a historic figure of postmodern dance, and collaborated with artists like Deborah Hay and Twyla Tharp. He met his artistic partner Thomas Caley in New York, and together they choreographed works in both New York and Stockholm. In 1999, he began managing the Royal Swedish Ballet and was awarded the title of choreographer by the Swedish Society of choreographers in 2002. Immediately after, Jacobsson and Caley created their own company. In 2011, they were appointed to lead the CCN—Ballet de Lorraine and its 25 performers, with Caley becoming their research coordinator.

At the CCN-Ballet de Lorraine, they focused on contemporary creation, emphasising aesthetic diversity and experimentation. Every year, they invite French and international choreographers to explore a new theme, allowing them to work with large groups of performers, which is often a rare opportunity for them.

Major figures in the field started to work within the three studios of the CCN, like Mathilde Monnier and Saburo Teshigawara, and representatives from the young generation, like Volmir Cordeiro and Marco da Silva Ferreira. The company also performed works from the repertoire in France and abroad, including pieces by Gisèle Vienne, Trisha Brown, and Merce Cunningham.