3e étage
French dance company
3e étage (from the French 'Third Floor') is a dance company founded in 2004 by dancer-choreographer Samuel Murez, and based in Paris, France.
3e étage dancers are all members of the Paris Opera Ballet, but the administrative and artistic direction are entirely independent from that company. 3e étage receives no subsidies, and operates entirely on income from performance sales to theaters, ticket sales of self-produced performances, and the support of private benefactors.
History
3e étage's first performance took place on May 28, 2006, in Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains, France.
The cast was composed of: Mathilde Froustey, Josua Hoffalt, Florian Magnenet, Yong-Geol Kim, Muriel Zusperreguy, Ludmila Pagliero, and Samuel Murez.
Of these, three later became principal dancers and two first soloists.
Notable performances and invitations include:
Sagunto en Escena, Spain, 2008
Jardins del Cap Roig, Spain, 2009
Festival des Arts de Saint Sauveur, Canada, 2011
Ted Shawn Theater, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Massachusetts, US 2011 (6 performances)
Teatre Coliseo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2012 (2 performances)
Ted Shawn Theater, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Massachusetts, US 2013 (6 performances)
André Malraux Theater, Rueil-Malmaison, France 2013 (5 performances)
3e étage was also featured in the 2012 video advertisement for the perfume Interlude, by Amouage.
Artistic Direction
Samuel Murez has been artistic director of 3e étage since its founding.
A director is credited for each show, separately from the general artistic direction of the company.
As artistic director of 3e étage, Murez has stated that he sees his primary role as fostering a specific creative culture, in which:
new work grows from a long-term shared intimacy between members of the group who each bring their various talents, personalities, and ideas to the table
work both old and new evolves continually over time, even years after its premiere
all work is many-layered, with the superficial layers being immediately accessible and enjoyable to younger or less experienced viewers, and more complex elements rewarding multiple viewings, or the more experienced eye
the group's work, on- and offstage, brings people together, regardless of their profession and/or background.
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