History

Founder and Namesake | 1925-1939 | 1945-1949 | 1950-1963 | 1963-1989 | Reunification and new Orientation

Link tip: www.palucca-film.de

Founder and Namesake

The story of the Palucca Schule Dresden has been profoundly influenced by the pedagogical engagement of its founder, Gret Paluccca (1902-1993).

Her achievements span a period of more than six decades. Gret Palucca began her dance training at the age if 12 with Heinrich Kröller, a soloist at Dresden's Opera. Following school graduation, she followed Kröller to Munich where she continued her dance studies as an apprentice at the National Theatre. In 1920 a performance of the expressionist dancer, Mary Wigman, so impressed Palucca in its innovation and openness that she immediately became Wigman's student. A brief four years later she split from Mary Wigman to embark on her own solo dance career. Her light, spirited style, technical virtuosity and use of abstract forms won her almost immediate affection of both the public and press. Her style of improvisation, highly technical and abstract earned her special recognition. Young people now began to come to Palucca to study dance.

the years 1925-1939, the school -its founding, ddevelopment and closure

In October 1924 Palucca began to accept applications from young people seeking dance instruction. The founding of the Palucca Schule is dated in the year 1925. Students at the school studied modern and creative dance technique with Palucca and her colleagues. In addition they received instruction in theoretical subjects related to dance. The educational goal was to guide each student towards finding her own individual, unmistakable identity in the language of dance. Encouragement and stimulation of the student's own creativity, rather than drill and imitation, stood in the foreground. In 1933 the politics of fascist Germany began to exert influence on dance education. Beginning at this time the fascist Ministry of Culture determined the subject material and structure of the young dancer's education. As a result training in classical dance was added to the school curriculum.

Due to Palucca's Jewish descent she was forbidden to teach in 1936. She was however allowed to bring her students to graduation following their three year study period. The school was closed in 1939.

the years 1945-1949, re-opening and nationalisation

At the end of the war, specifically on July 1, 1945 Palucca began to teach again. She rented rooms in villas in the central park neighbourhood in Dresden where she could teach. Training often took place under adventurous conditions. Financing for the reconstruction of her school came through proceeds from her solo performances. The currency reform of 1948 put an abrupt end to this means of financing. From one day to the next, Palucca and her students were penniless and urgently searched for a secure base for her school. On April 1, 1949 in an agreement between Palucca and the state government of Saxony, the Palucca Schule became nationalised. It received the status of a technical school for the training of professional performing dancers. Graduation followed after a study period of three years. The school's structure and curriculum were determined by Palucca. At this time one could graduate with a diploma as either a theatre dancer, dance teacher or dance director according to the individual's interests and abilities.

the years 1950-1963, re-structuring as a ballet school

The German Democratic Republic (DDR) aligned itself with the Soviet Union. This orientation produced significant changes in many areas in the DDR society including dance and dance education. Unlike Germany, the Soviet Union did not have a tradition of modern dance. There one looked back on a long history in classical ballet. From the Soviet request to include classical ballet in the curriculum came the decree to make it the primary subject of study. This change reduced Palucca's teaching of her new expressive dance or modern dance technique. She opposed this centrally designated curriculum and resisted in the ways possible to her in the 1950's. In 1952 she relinquished direction of her school; in 1953 she retracted her name; in 1959 she threatened to flee to the West if her demands were not met.

After quite a struggle, Palucca reached an agreement with the East German cultural politicians who afforded her school an exclusive educational model: both the study of classical dance as well as her form of new expressive dance could co-exist. This model separated the Palucca Schule from the other German institutions for the study of theatre dance. In 1954 the study period was extended from three to five years. Between 1953 and 1957 the building at the Basteiplatz address was constructed which still houses the school today. Beginning in 1960 ballet teachers from the Soviet Union ensured for the continuous development in the quality of classical ballet training at the school. In 1961 the length of study was extended again by two years to seven years. Pupils could now be admitted at the age of twelve.

Characteristic of Palucca Schule students at this time was their sound proficiency in classical ballet as well as the creative power of their dance. They became unmistakable and sought after as performers in East German theatres. It was not rare that Palucca Schule students were either during or after their performing careers successful choreographers.

the years 1963-1989, consolidation

Beginning in 1963 pupils were admitted to the school at the age of ten for the seven year study programme. A secondary school was integrated into the Palucca Schule model. In 1977 the duration of study was extended by one more year to eight years. At this time the student body grew so that expansion became necessary. In 1952 a building with five new dance studios was added onto the school.

the years from 1989, reunification and new orientation

In search of an up-to-date educational profile after the German Reunification the school focused on its own tradition in modern dance. In 1991, the Belgian dancer and choreographer, Paul Melis took over the direction of the school.

Palucca's student, Professor Hanne Wandke, succeeded him in 1993.

From 1993-1997 Professor Dr. Peter Jarchow, an accompanist for Palucca over the course of many years directed the school. He stabilised the new educational profile which is based on both the school's tradition and on the demands of the contemporary dance world. The school gives equal training possibilities in the studies of both modern and classical dance.

Prof Enno Markwart directed the School from August 1997 until July 2006. During his era, the school was awarded the title "Hochschule für Tanz". Likewise, the theatre dance, choreography and dance teaching programmes were concentrated in Dresden. A new school building was opened in 2006.

Jason Beechey has directed the school since August 2006.

Today the Palucca Schule is the only college of Fine Arts in Germany devoted exclusively to the study of dance. It offers degrees in Professional Dance, Choreography and Teaching.

1^stof September 2006

Text: Ralf Stabel
Translation: Jenny Coogan