XENIA
WIEST

Choreographer & Artistic Director

"Dance is my life, my passion, and my dream. I am committed to bringing this art form into the hearts of every audience."

About

Xenia Wiest is a German choreographer born in Moscow. She started her journey at the age of 13 at a private school in Braunschweig, where she studied with Marie-Françoise Géry, before joining the John Cranko School in Stuttgart. Coming from a family of musicians, her art is deeply influenced by music, blending rhythm with emotion.

 

As a dancer, Xenia worked 15 years at the Staatsballett Berlin, collaborating with some of the most celebrated choreographers of our time. She concluded her successful dancing career in Hannover alongside Marco Goecke and was appointed director and house choreographer at the Mecklenburgisches Staatstheater in 2021.

Over the past 15 years, her choreographies have gained international acclaim, showcasing a diverse repertoire that includes abstract, narrative, and storytelling works. Beyond traditional stages, Xenia has partnered with various artists and brands, creating innovative pieces for iconic venues like Berghain and global brands such as BOSE and Nike. She is also regularly invited to teach workshops and serve as a judge in various dance and choreography competitions.

 

At Ballett X Schwerin, Xenia has been a pioneering director, incorporating a health department into ballet's daily routine and emphasizing the importance of sports science. Her commitment to innovation and holistic dancer well-being distinguishes her as a leader focused on both artistic and sustainable practices in dance.

 

Currently based in Berlin, Xenia continues to learn and connect with other passionate artists who share her love and curiosity for dance.

Choreographic Style

My primary source of inspiration is music and I strive to tailor each project to the skills of the dancers I’m collaborating with.

 

My choreographic language is based on classical technique, while integrating neoclassical and contemporary influences. I am creating pieces for pointe work, flat shoes or bare feet; as each medium serves as a tool of expression. I define my style by a strong focus and expression on upper body and use of arms, combined with grooves and rhythmic dynamics, always maintaining a strong connection to the music. My work is structured and purposeful, starting with a deep understanding of the music and ensuring that the movement consistently aligns with the narrative or concept.

The repertoire includes a diverse range of creations-from short abstract works to narrative-driven pieces, full evenings and storytelling works. In the studio,the focus is balancing between clear instructive guidance and allowing for artistic freedom and spontaneity. I often use improvisation as a tool of exploration.

 

The goal is to connect with the audience, creating meaningful ballets that resonate deeply and leave a lasting impression, inspiring viewers to return.

My Vision

My vision for the dance world is rooted in a modern, business-oriented approach. I believe that for any organization to thrive, it must constantly evolve, incorporating knowledge from fields such as leadership, communication, recruitment and feedback culture. I am sure in the importance of a better approach, one based on scientific knowledge, data analysis, and innovation. In a world of constant change, I believe that ongoing education is essential for everyone in the company, including myself.

 

In my opinion, "quality" in everything I present is non-negotiable, and budget constraints should not dictate the level of artistry we can achieve. I have delivered performances of the highest quality, recognized by both audiences and critics. Ultimately, I believe that my approach, combined with a talented team, is the recipe for achieving success and quality with the world’s best.

But beyond technical execution, I want to connect with audiences on an emotional level. My goal is not just to entertain but to move people, to make them fall in love with dance. I am working on integrating many aspects of a performance into a unified experience that speaks to the soul. My mentality is, "there’s always room for improvement," and I am committed to offering something different, rooted in tradition yet constantly innovating.

 

Health, both physical and mental, is at the core of what I want to achieve in the dance world. Yet, there is still not enough attention paid to dancer health on a regular basis. In many companies, health professionals are outsiders, and their expertise is not fully utilized. I have taken a different approach by integrating health experts into the team and decision-making. They should be part of the planning process and contribute to the dancers' development. I believe that prevention and sports science are the future to reduce the risk of injuries, increase efficiency, and help the dancers progress.

 

My dream for the dance world is to build and direct a company where every member can thrive in a creative and supportive environment. I want to push boundaries, blend different art forms, and aim for artistic excellence. This is about thinking big, thinking outside the box, and embracing new ideas—together!

Videos

Full Evenings

Short Pieces

Projects

Press

BACH-past,present,future

“In any case, ‘BACH past–present–future’ will be a dance delight that skillfully combines Bach and ballet, undoubtedly creating moving dance moments on stage.”

 

 -Melanie Eisele (Bodensee Festival)

 

“The premiere audience was enthusiastic and thanked the twelve dancers with prolonged applause.”

The choreographies were developed by Xenia Wiest, who has been leading the ballet for two years and has helped the ensemble gain national attention with her productions, and ballet master Jonathan dos Santos. Both were also celebrated with great applause after the performance.

 

 ZEIT/Online: dpa Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Remember the ladies

" ‘Dancing Souls’ fascinates with energy, diversity and contrasts. For this, standing ovations from the enthusiastic premiere audience."

 

(Schweriner Volkszeitung, 1.11.2022, Manfred Zelt)

 

"Stomping, thunderous applause and [...] bravos rewarded a furious evening. A three-part ballet that fully explored the range of dance and proved once again: Ballet is modern, fresh, in the middle of the time and shows that this art form is always able to offer something new and refreshing in every genre, every format, to tell stories ..."

 

(Ostsee-Zeitung, 1.11.2022, Michael Meyer)

 

“Basically, these are proof of how technically accomplished the self-confidently named "Ballet X Schwerin" company is [...] (Tanz, Ausgabe Dezember 2022, Falk Schreiber)  [...] at the performance attended, the audience raves enthusiastically.”

 

(Tanz, Ausgabe Dezember 2022, Falk Schreiber)

Through my eyes

A celebration unites diversity, and then the ensemble waves colourful powder clouds. It seems the dance muse Terpsichore is still alive.

 

(Manfred Zelt, Schweriner Volkszeitung, 7. März 2022)

 

No wonder, then, that the dancers surpass themselves on this evening and make you curious about everything that is to come. Under the sign of the X, everything seems possible

 

(Deutsche Bühne, 5. März 2022, Hartmut Regitz)

 

The top shoe expert stands next to the trumped-up modern virtuoso, the noble classical ballerino next to the contemporary ace. Wiest has assembled an impressive and diverse troupe [...].

 

(Tanz, Ausgabe April 2022, Dorian Weickmann)

Nacht ohne Morgen

There was a standing ovation for Xenia Wiest and her company. Applause and bravos continued for minutes and would not end.

 

(NDR, Karin Erichsen, 27. September 2022)

 

The debut of the company, which obviously has a lot of potential, was very exciting.

 

(SVZ, Manfred Zelt, 27. September 2022)

Little prince

The ballet of the Mecklenburg State Theatre in Schwerin has once again captivated its audience. For their sensitive interpretation of the modern fairy tale centered around fundamental human values such as friendship and trust, the performers received minutes of applause and shouts of "Bravo."

 

(dpa/Süddeutsche Zeitung)

 

"Since her appointment two years ago, chief choreographer Xenia Wiest, who comes from a musical family in Moscow and found a new home in Germany in 1993, has consistently drawn attention with her productions of ballet performances."

 

(dpa/Süddeutsche Zeitung)

News

Contact

Contact us for questions, technical assistance, or collaboration opportunities via the contact information provided.

Location

Berlin

Credits

Portrait Photos on the front page are by Maria-Helena Buckley, Admill Kuyler, Victoria Nazarova

©2024. All Rights Reserved by Xenia Wiest