Grenade - Josette Baïz

Compagnie Grenade was created in 1998 by Josette Baïz in Aix-en-Provence, as a logical extension of the work undertaken since 1992 with Groupe Grenade (children and teenagers).
The dancers, some of whom have been with the company for 25 years, have worked with Josette Baïz to invent Grenade’s characteristic blend of cultures – Oriental, Asian, African and urban – while integrating the choreographer’s contemporary universe.

Their creations are therefore a perpetual search, the leitmotiv of which is to open up her mode of expression.
Josette Baïz’s style has been shaped by the approach of other choreographers of her generation and the great American masters such as Alwin Nikolaïs and Merce Cunningham, by the teaching experience passed on by Odile Duboc and Susan Buirge, and by artistic collaborations with Jean-Claude Gallotta.

Over the years, the company has welcomed a number of dancers from different choreographic backgrounds, contributing to the enrichment of Granada. Others have continued their adventure with different companies (Maguy Marin, Dominique Boivin, Angelin Preljocaj, Compagnie Malka, Abou Lagraa, Carolyn Carlson, Pierre Droulers…) to discover other choreographic styles.
It’s in this spirit that Josette and her dancers pursue their research by constantly opening up to new techniques (contact-improvisation, Limon, Graham, Cunningham, etc.), regularly inviting in outside teachers and forging artistic collaborations based on encounters and exchanges.