In the ever-evolving world of contemporary dance, few artists have managed to merge artistic brilliance, social impact, and entrepreneurial vision as seamlessly as Elisabeth Schilling. An award-winning choreographer, an associate artist at Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, and the artistic director of Elisabeth Schilling & Company, she has emerged as one of Europe’s most influential creative voices in dance and interdisciplinary performance.
Over the last decade, Schilling has transformed her company from a solo-driven initiative into one of Luxembourg’s most internationally recognized contemporary dance companies. Under her leadership, the company has toured extensively across Europe and beyond, presenting more than 300 performances in 19 countries while collaborating with major cultural institutions, including Tate Modern, Philharmonie Luxembourg, Philharmonie de Paris, and Gauthier Dance.
What distinguishes Elisabeth Schilling’s work is her groundbreaking transdisciplinary approach. Rather than treating dance as an isolated art form, she creates immersive experiences where movement intersects with music, visual art, design, philosophy, and even environmental research. Her productions unfold not only in theaters but also in museums, galleries, concert halls, public spaces, rural communities, hospitals, and care homes, bringing contemporary dance to audiences who may never have encountered it before.
Schilling’s creative philosophy centers on accessibility and emotional connection. Her productions often challenge audiences to rethink how movement can communicate ideas about humanity, nature, and society. One of her recent acclaimed projects, Sensorial Symphonies, explores botanical consciousness and humanity’s relationship with nature through choreography inspired by plant communication and sound. The production combines dance with live music, scent design, and recordings of plant-generated frequencies, creating a multisensory theatrical experience unlike traditional dance performances.
As a performer, Elisabeth has collaborated with nearly 40 choreographers from diverse artistic backgrounds and has danced in productions by internationally celebrated figures and companies, including Sasha Waltz, Trisha Brown, Scottish Dance Theatre, and Clod Ensemble. These experiences across generations and styles have deeply influenced her own choreographic language, which is known for blending intellectual depth with emotional intensity.
Her artistic achievements have earned widespread recognition. Elisabeth Schilling received the prestigious Dance Award of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 2021 and has also been honored by renowned organizations such as Dance Umbrella in the United Kingdom and Bolzano Danza in Italy. She was additionally nominated for fellowships and international artistic initiatives, reflecting her growing influence within the global dance community.
Beyond the stage, Schilling is equally committed to education, mentorship, and cultural outreach. She has served as a guest teacher at mdw Vienna and participated as a mentor in European cross-cultural initiatives, including Future Laboratory and TalentLab. Her passion for creative learning is embedded into her company’s work, with workshops, discussions, symposia, and audience engagement programs accompanying many of her productions.
Elisabeth also believes strongly in the social power of art. Through performances in unconventional spaces such as hospitals, senior care homes, and community centers, she continues to challenge the boundaries of where dance belongs and who it is for. Her work consistently demonstrates that contemporary dance can be both intellectually sophisticated and deeply human.
Today, Elisabeth Schilling stands as more than a choreographer—she is a visionary cultural leader reshaping how audiences experience movement and interdisciplinary art. Through innovation, inclusivity, and fearless experimentation, she continues to push contemporary dance into exciting new territories while keeping human connection at the center of every creation.
