Centre chorégraphique national de Créteil et du Val-de-Marne | EMKA
Direction Mehdi Kerkouche
From a very young age, Mehdi Kerkouche was passionate about dance, and he found his calling after a teacher showed him a video of Janet Jackson. His journey began with Kamel Ouali and the reality show Star Academy, and he went on to thrive while working with Christine and the Queens and Angèle.
After founding his company, EMKA, he rose to stardom during the first lockdown in 2020, when he published a video that went viral, and started the #OnDanseChezVous trend, a celebration of online dancing that connected and brought people together. Aurélie Dupont noticed him and commissioned him to create a piece for the dancers at the Opéra national de Paris. His latest piece, Portrait, explores family dynamics. With nine dancers, he paints the portrait of a family that breaks down and comes back together again, and that never settles for a polished image.
In January 2023, Mehdi Kerkouche was appointed director of the CCN de Créteil et du Val-de-Marne | EMKA, with a project named, “Créer, rassembler, partager” (create, gather, share). The universality of dance, as an inclusive and shared language is at the core of his beliefs. This project aims to celebrate a form of dance that welcomes all types of diversity, values unique stories and champions choreographic aesthetics without any hierarchy or borders. Artistic residencies and assistance to companies are offered both offline and online, through connected digital platforms (master classes, online classes, etc.).
“Créer, rassembler, partager” is a locally anchored project that includes cultural and artistic teaching initiatives, as well as local partnerships and events. It also aims to reach the Greater Paris region and beyond. During his first term, Kerkouche has prioritised access to new equipment, a necessary step to fully carry out the project, with the inauguration of a welcoming venue, open to all.
The venue
In 1981, the Maguy Marin company settled in the Maison de la Culture in Créteil, under the management of Jean Morlock. Three years later, the company became the CCN de Créteil et du Val-de-Marne, continuing its high-level artistic work and presenting its now-legendary creations around the world.
In 1998, Maguy Marin left Créteil to join the CCN de Rilleux-la-Pape. In June of the same year, the Montalvo-Hervieu company succeeded as the new management. For a decade, José Montalvo and Dominique Hervieu explored diversity-based aesthetics, anchored in a vision of modern society that is strengthened by its cultural intertwining.
In January 2009, Montalvo and Hervieu left Créteil to take over the Théâtre National in Chaillot, which was then dedicated to dance. Mourad Merzouki succeeded them in June 2009. Through his choreographic creations, he brought hip-hop to both French and international stages. In Créteil, he developed an artistic project focused on the local neighbourhood, embracing the diversity of choreographic languages. He served as the CCNs’ director for 13 years.
Press & Media
Key dates
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1981
The Maguy Marin company settles in the artistic direction department of the Maison de la Culture in Créteil.
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1984
Creation of the CCN de Créteil et du Val-de-Marne
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1984-1998
Maguy Marin serves as director.
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1998-2008
Dominique Hervieu and José Montalvo serve as directors.
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2009-2022
Mourad Merzouki serves as director.
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Depuis janvier 2023
Mehdi Kerkouche is the new director of the CCN de Créteil et du Val-de-Marne | EMKA.
1, place Salvador Allende
94000 CRÉTEIL
+33 1 56 71 13 20
https://www.ccncreteil.com/
