Modern dance or contemporary dance

Two dancers in an expressive duet, angular arms and tension, red pants and light top against a dark stage.

Looking for modern dance? Then chances are you have already come across Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT). But the work we create is contemporary dance rather than modern dance, and there is an important difference between the two.

At NDT, you experience dance that reflects the world we live in today. We work with choreographers from across the globe, each bringing their own background, influences, and artistic voice. Our performances can move from an intimate solo to a powerful ensemble piece within the same evening.

What connects all our work is a strong technical foundation and a curious way of looking at the world around us. At NDT, contemporary dance is not simply about beautiful movement. It is a way of feeling, questioning, and connecting. You do not need any knowledge of dance to visit our performances. If you come with an open mind and allow yourself to watch, feel, and be surprised, then you are already in the right place.

Our performances

What is modern dance?

Modern dance emerged at the beginning of the twentieth century as a response to classical ballet. At the time, many pioneers of modern dance felt ballet had become too strict, with fixed roles, stories, and techniques. They wanted to create a more personal and human form of dance, where movement came directly from emotion and expression.

Daarom ontwikkelden pioniers zoals Martha Graham en later Merce Cunningham hun eigen technieken. Daarbij stond het lichaam centraal en ontstond een andere bewegingstaal dan in klassiek ballet. Beweging kwam vaker vanuit de grond en minder vanuit perfecte houdingen. Dansers dansten op blote voeten en werkten met ademhaling, zwaartekracht en weerstand. Het lichaam werd geen sprookjesfiguur, maar een echt mens.

Moderne dans veranderde ook het idee van wat dans kon zijn. Niet alleen sierlijk of verheven, maar ook alledaags en herkenbaar. Lopen, vallen, stilstaan en herhalen werden vanaf dat moment ook onderdeel van dans.

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What is contemporary dance?

Around the middle of the twentieth century, contemporary dance grew out of modern dance. Unlike modern dance, it is not connected to one fixed style or technique. Instead, it is an open and constantly evolving way of creating movement.

Contemporary choreographers combine influences from modern dance and classical ballet with theatre, visual art, music, film and digital media. Experimentation and improvisation often play an important role. Today’s dancers train in many different techniques and draw inspiration from forms such as tai chi, capoeira, acrobatics, and street culture.

There is no single style in contemporary dance. Instead, choreographers develop their own movement language to explore ideas, emotions, or questions they are interested in.

That is also at the heart of NDT. We work with choreographers who continue to push the boundaries of what dance can be. At NDT, contemporary dance continues to evolve. It grows out of the world around us, shaped by global influences, the talent of our dancers and a constant drive to innovate.

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