In partnership with the Adelaide Festival, Helpmann Academy ran a dance masterclass facilitated by Taylor Drury, a company member of Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch.
This dynamic choreography masterclass empowered emerging creatives to explore new dance ideas and develop their performance skills. The masterclass was free for eligible Helpmann artists from our partner institutions, who had demonstrated experience in dance.
ABOUT PINA BAUSCH
Born in 1940 in Solingen and passing away in 2009 in Wuppertal, Pina Bausch trained in dance at the Folkwang School in Essen under Kurt Jooss, where she developed her technical performance abilities. In 1973, director of Wuppertal’s theatres Arno Wüstenhöfer appointed Bausch as choreographer. She re-established the ensemble as Tanztheater Wuppertal. Although initially controversial, the company gained international recognition over time. Its unique blend of poetic and everyday elements played a pivotal role in shaping the global evolution of dance. Pina Bausch, honoured with many prestigious awards globally, is considered one of this era’s most influential choreographers.
ABOUT CAFÉ MÜLLER
Café Müller is one of three works included in the dance triple bill Club Amour at the 2025 Adelaide Festival. Never before seen in Australia, it is one of Pina Bausch’s most iconic and extraordinary works and one of the most influential dance pieces of the 20th century.
In this intimate work, a sleepwalking woman staggers, arms outstretched, through a dark, cramped café. Amid the plaintive swell of Henry Purcell’s greatest arias, a cast of devastated characters plays out a litany of tender cruelties as they lift, drop and chase each other in a feedback loop of perpetual disappointment.
Combining the stunning works of the German choreographer with the beauty of Purcell’s arias, the masterpiece came to Adelaide to entertain Australian audiences.
IMAGE GALLERY
After a successful Café Müller masterclass, take a look at the image gallery here!
PRESENTING PARTNERS
