Alexander Ekman

I first met Alex at the Cedar Lake studios in NYC. It was the summer of 2011 and I try to take class during my summer holidays… when I can. The director at the time, Benoit Swan Pouffer, generously allowed me to train with the company until I flew back to Germany. Alex was working on a piece for the company and my friend, Harumi, introduced me to him. Before I met him, I was already a fan. Alexander Ekman is one of the hottest choreographers today. Dance companies all over the world are performing his work. His ballets are entertaining, thought provoking and hilarious! In person he is a young, intelligent, and easy guy. We had a little chat before his rehearsal and I was off to Germany the next day.

A few years later, I got my chance to work with him when he came to the Basel Ballet! We performed the piece “Flockwork” for our new program “Absolut Dansa”. I was lucky have a part in the piece. Working with him is refreshing. He is not afraid to tell it like he sees it, and pushes everyone to be their best. You can see that Alex really cares about his work. We would repeat moments until they were just right. He was insistent on details, and his images are beautiful. There is an energy… a dynamic rhythm in his ballets. Very theatrical moments as well… some of them very challenging. Flockwork is exciting to dance. And as I hear from the public, exciting to watch.

Alex is a true artist. I am inspired by the way he works, by the work he produces, and by his good energy. Energy is everything. Alex is currently Associate Choreographer at Nederlands Dans Theater……………………………..

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to do what you’re doing now?

When I was small, I wanted to have my own amusement park at one point. I had this fascination with amusement parks, but then I also built my own little theater at home. It’s kind of funny because its so cliché, but I actually built a theater in a shelf at home and I had strings so I could control the curtain. I played different types of music, and I had sceneography…my own mini theater. I have always been interested in the theater – not necessarily dance related, just the magic of the theater.

 Alex’s Favorite Things

 Favorite Things to eat?

Pasta, Foie gras, Ramen Noodle soups, Asian food.

Favorite Books?

I actually don’t read so much. I am more of an internet kinda guy……Google.

Favorite Movies?

Oh so many… I love François Ozon’s movies. I am a huge fan of Woody Allen. I also like those really great action movies. Just great entertainment. Disaster movies are kind of fun. I just saw World War Z.

Favorite Dance Piece or Show/Musical or both?

Oooooooh… well of course, when I started, I was with Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, Jiri Kylian, and all of those guys. I am a big fan of William Forsythe, but also lately Peeping Tom. Fantastic show. Sometimes I like musicals. I like the oldies. Fosse style!

I like dancers who…

…are not scared, who have talent, who listen, who have energy and who are kind. And rhythm, rhythm, rhythm. I do a lot of rhythms and if I have rhythmical dancers it is much easier. But, mostly, just dancers who are hungry. I would rather work with a less talented hungry dancer than with a very talented jaded dancer.

I am afraid of…

I am afraid of not being healthy. I am afraid of the Ego. It brings so much shit into this world. Sometimes I am afraid of the dark. Not knowing where I am. I am scared of heights also.

 What is important in a dance piece for you?

If I see a craft, even if I don’t like the piece, but I can see that the choreographer has spent time on some sort of choreographic pattern, then I can respect it. That the person is really taking responsibility in thinking what will this say? It is important that the piece will say something. You have this moment that can change something in people. Even how they feel. I try to be aware of the entertainment factor at the same time. Duchamp questioned conventional artistic process already in the 30’s…that question has been raised already. So, I am kind of back to basics.  Entertainment means anything that will capture your attention – that doesn’t always mean a musical type show. Anything in the theater is actually entertainment. Also, timing. Awareness of timing, How long does something work before we get bored of it.

Something you like to do other than choreographing?

Decorate……..noooo. Traveling, of course. New things. Yoga. Yoga is a huge passion in my life. Ashtanga or Vinyasa Flow. I like yoga with a lot of flow in it. The reason I do yoga is because it calms me down. It centers me. When you breathe slowly like that for one and a half hours, together with your movement it has a huge effect on your body. I am going to India in December to become a yoga instructor. I will be there for a whole month studying.

 One of the happiest moments in your life?

Work related, was when I made Flockwork for NDT2. It was my first big piece on stage. I will never forget that feeling afterwards. I just remember dancing in the streets on the way home from the theater because I was so happy. Also, the first time I experienced love…that partnership feeling.

 One of the most embarrassing moments in your professional career?

When I farted in front of Jiri Kylian. We were in creation with Sleepless and then I lifted my partner and let out this huge fart…but I don’t really get embarrassed anymore.

Who has been the most influential person/people in your life or career? And why?

My family, of course. My parents. I have a very strong connection with my family. My parents are the ones who gave me the basics of my beliefs. Maybe my Ex also. Professionally, I would say Mats Ek. I grew up in Stockholm with The Cullberg Ballet. I love his theatricality. The pieces he made back then were just amazing, with Cullberg and how they were back then.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

I see myself having my own group and hopefully creating meaningful work for people. Doing work that will inspire people.Taking my job as a cultural doctor seriously. I will be happy and in love and have a child… in Stockholm, I think. In 10 years I will be 39 and hopefully calm.

A question you want to know the answer to:

Why do we live? What the hell is this about? Where is it going? …that is the big question that everyone has on there mind.

A piece of advice for aspiring artists?

Think why. Why do you want to do this? Don’t do it just for success. We don’t care about who you are – we care about what you do. Your work.  Focus more on your work than being successful. I want people to care about my work, not me. I am just another dude.

–Alexander Ekman

Photo Journal

 Photo by Victor Jeffreys

Cullberg Ballet – Photo by Urban Jören

Nederlands Dans Theater – Photo by Joris Jan Bos

Ballet Montecarlo – Photo by Alice Blangero

Me preparing the set for my upcoming Swan lake at the Norwegian Opera.

Gothenburg Ballet

To find out more information on Alex, check out his amazing website alexekman.com. Have you worked with Alex? Help me say thank you by sharing your stories in the comments below. Thank YOU for reading!

Main Photo by: Victor Jeffreys

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