Discover the MoDem language

The programme produced by Compagnia Zappalà Danza to immerse oneself in the unique language of Roberto Zappalà, through an intensive course in a Centre of national excellence.

Two Paths - One Excellence

What is MoDem

Dynamics and Articulation

body awareness through the search for authentic movement

Instinct and Imperfection

the animality of the body and instinct are central elements, in which an apparent imperfection is recognised and valued.

Exegesis

every joint is read, explored and transformed into ever new possibilities of movement

modem atelier modem pro 

modem atelier modem pro 

modem atelier modem pro 

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modem pro modem atelier 

modem pro modem atelier 

MoDem PRO

Professional training pathway focused on the Compagnia Zappalà Danza language. An intensive three-month programme designed for professional and pre-professional dancers who wish to immerse themselves in the MoDem choreographic vocabulary.

Dedicated to

- Professional or semi-professional dancers
- Minimum 20 years
- Selection by SMART audition

CZD2 opportunities

Al termine dell’intero percorso verranno selezionati sino ad un massimo di 6 danzatori che andranno ad integrare la compagniazappalàdanza2.

Sessions

Two sessions are offered, with the option to attend either individually or both together.
• Autunno 2026 (14 set – 15 dic)
• Inverno 2027 (8 feb – 15 mag)
To ensure a comprehensive and coherent training experience, participants are encouraged to attend both sessions.

Scholarships

2 grants of 800€ for men aged 20-22

Programme Structure

The MoDem PRO programme spans a total of 14 weeks and is divided into two main phases
that combine theoretical and practical classes, workshops, and repertoire study.

Phase One

The first half of the programme is devoted to the introduction and in-depth exploration of its core principles.
Roberto Zappalà opens the course by presenting the key concepts and vocabulary of the MoDem language.
The work is then further developed by dancers from the company through three consecutive modules,
each lasting two weeks:

• Exegesis and Lava Flowing
Exploration of the concept of Exegesis and its development into Lava Flowing, through a guided analytical process led by the instructor.

• Rhythm | Lava Bubbles and Lava Deep
Introduction to rhythm and rhythmicity within the MoDem concepts.

• Weight and Horizontality
An in-depth exploration of weight (drop and breath) and horizontality, which are fundamental to the understanding of the MoDem language.

Phase Two

In the second phase of the programme, the focus shifts towards practical application and
creative development. The concepts explored during the first phase Exegesis, Lava Flowing, Lava Deep, Rhythm, Weight, and Horizontality
are consolidated through the study of repertoire that progressively aligns with the company's
original versions.

Roberto Zappalà resumes direct work with the participants, consolidating the key concepts and guiding them towards the final stage of the programme.
During the final weeks, Silvia Oteri leads participants through the creation and development of their own coreographic Seeds: personal compositions built upon the repertoire material acquired during the programme, translating theoretical concepts into individual creative practice.

Extra Activities

The programme is further enriched by a range of complementary activities, offering additional perspectives on the work of Compagnia Zappalà Danza:

• Observation of selected CZD rehearsals, providing participants with direct insight into the company’s creative process;
• CINE ZAP, dedicated screening evenings featuring the company’s repertoire works;
• Introduction to Video & Dance, exploring Roberto Zappalà’s choreographic journey and the history of the company through selected excerpts from CZD performances.

I want to apply for PRO

Participation is by selection only and is limited to a limited number of 30 participants.

Want to know more about MoDem PRO? Press Here

MoDem language and CZD repertoire

Roberto Zappalà

Fernando Roldán Ferrer

Silvia Oteri

Maud de la Purification

Sonia Mingo

Silvia Rossi

Anna Forzutti

Corinne Cilia

Alessandra Verona

Laura Finocchiaro

Giulia Berretta

Gaia Occhipinti

Salvatore Romania

Roberto Provenzano

MoDem ATELIER

Duration

2 years (8 months/year)
From 14 September 2026

Training

opportunity for initiation into professional dance and in-depth study of contemporary techniques / study of Roberto Zappalà's MoDem language

Participants

Max. 25 participants
Minimum 18 years

Selection

Via SMART audition

Course offerings

Weekly classes in ballet, contemporary dance technique, choreography workshops and supplementary activities.
22 hours per week (Monday to Friday), divided daily into:

• 90 min. Ballet

• 90 min. Contemporary Techniques

• 90 min. Workshops

Additional activities

MoDem Atelier includes a series of modules designed to support students’ technical and creative development:

• Storia & Dance (First year)
Approfondimento della danza nel suo contesto storico e contemporaneo.

• Video & Dance (First year)
An analysis of dance in audiovisual media and the relationship between the body and the media.

• Critiche agli spettacoli (First year)
Attending performances from the Scenario Pubblico season and writing critical reviews under the guidance of industry professionals.

• Tutorial & Dance (Second year)
Tools for entering the professional world: CVs, cover letters, auditions and video materials.

• Études (Second year)
Creation of short choreographic pieces to develop technique, interpretation and creative ability.

• Riflessioni sullo studio personale
Writing exercises and self-analysis to foster artistic awareness and autonomy.

Programme structure

MoDem Atelier is divided into five sessions, each of which focuses on one or more specific languages, featuring guest lecturers and international guests

Pedagogical approach

MoDem Atelier combines practice, research and performance, offering training in classical and contemporary dance supported by individual tuition and regular feedback.

NEWS

For the 2026/27 season, the course is further enriched by the study of the working methods and repertoire of leading international choreographers, taught by veteran dancers from their respective companies:

for William Forsythe

Roberta Mosca

Roberta Mosca, coreografa, danzatrice e performer, ha una formazione di danza fondamentalmente classica con studi alla Scala di Milano e all'accademia di Stoccarda. Ha lavorato in varie compagnie in Italia e all’estero. Dal 2000 è stata interprete e coreografa del Ballet Frankfurt e della The Forsythe Company. Ha inoltre collaborato con vari artisti e formazioni di danza tra cui MAMAZA, MK, espz, KLm, Laurent Chétouane, Chris Newman,
Fabrice Mazliah, Martin Schick, Canedicoda. Nel 2016 è tra i fondatori di HOOD, collettivo artistico che esplora nuovi modelli per instillare l'arte nella società. Dopo anni di ricerca di
decontestualizzazione della danza tra le montagne del biellese, nel 2015 apre a Rosazza in Valle Cervo il micro spazio indipendente AUTOBAHN - WILLIAM WILLHELM CAFFEE - DALLAS. Nel 2022 nella Valle Alcantara in Sicilia, inizia insieme a Nandhan Molinaro, un
progetto di ricerca indipendente sulla sostenibilità esplorando la relazione tra danza e ambiente. Il suo lavoro è stato presentato, tra gli altri, al Theatre de la Bastille Paris, HAU Berlin, Acker stadt palast Berlin, Tanzhaus Düsseldorf, Barishnokov Arts Center New York,
Biennale Venezia, ADC Ginevra, Kampnagel Hamburg, Live Arts Week Bologna, UOVO Performing Art Festival Milano, Triennale Milano, Cango Firenze, Crisalide Forlì, Kaserne Basel, De Singel Antwerpen, Schauspielhaus Stuttgart,, PACT Zollverein Essen, Palazzo delle Esposizioni Roma, Museion Bolzano. È stata inoltre coach artistico di Aterballetto a Reggio Emilia, ha insegnato composizione coreografica all’università Iuav Venezia, al CND Parigi, al PACT ZOLLVERREIN Hessen, al Kyoto University Art and Design, a P.A.R.T.S. Bruxelles
for Sasha Waltz

Michal Mualem

Michal Mualem (Israel, 1974) is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Between 1994 and 2001, she worked in Israel with companies and choreographers such as Liat Dror & Nir Ben Gal, Niv Sheinfeld, Inbal Pinto, and Noa Dar. Since 2001, she has collaborated with Sasha Waltz & Guests in Berlin, performing in numerous productions including Körper, Dido & Aeneas, Continu, Romeo & Juliet, Exodos, and IN C. She has also participated in dialogues and site-specific performances in museum contexts such as the Neues Museum in Berlin and the MAXXI in Rome. In 2008, choreographer Roberto Zappalà created the solo Instrument 2 for her.

Since 2012, she has been assistant choreographer and rehearsal director for the Sasha Waltz company, collaborating on the transmission and restaging of works in international institutions, including the Gothenburg Ballet, the National Ballet of Portugal, Codarts, and the Łódź Opera.

As a teacher, since 1995 she has been conducting contemporary dance, contact improvisation, and improvisation classes in Israel and Europe, as well as teaching Sasha Waltz’s repertoire. She collaborates with numerous educational institutions including Modem/Scenario Pubblico, SEAD (Salzburg), TanzFabrik (Berlin), and others. Since 2020, she has co-directed the professional program CO-LAB with Giannalberto de Filippis.

Since 2005, together with de Filippis, she has created choreographies presented at major international festivals and venues (Aerowaves, Oriente Occidente, Tanec Praha, Suzanne Dellal Center, etc.). Among their best-known works are In Between, Silenzio Cucito, Left Between Us, PLONTER, and Collegate. Their creations have received awards at competitions such as Hannover and Oriente Occidente.

per Virgilio Sieni

Jari Boldrini

Jari Boldrini, danzatore e autore formatosi presso il Centro Opus Ballet di Firenze, sviluppa un’attività che attraversa l'interpretazione, la creazione e la direzione artistica.

La sua ricerca indaga il corpo come territorio di potenziale continuo, focalizzandosi sulla dimensione relazionale e sul movimento come spazio di dialogo.

Come interprete collabora con importanti realtà, autori e autrici del panorama contemporaneo, tra cui Fabrizio Favale / Le Supplici, Marina Giovannini, Marina Mascarell, Nelson Reguera, Letizia Renzini, Cristina Kristal Rizzo, Sara Sguotti, Virgilio Sieni e Thierry Smith / Thor.

Il suo percorso autoriale comprende Vesalii Icones (opera diretta da Peter Maxwell per la Biennale Musica di Venezia 2014), Verso una visione caleidoscopica (2015), Divino per metà (2018), Tiny space Costruzione (2018), Ultima Estate (finalista Premio Equilibrio 2018), Stanza 1.5 Site (Premio Danza Urbana XL 2020) e Dittico Orientale (2025).

Nel 2018 fonda con Giulio Petrucci C.G.J. Collettivo Giulio e Jari, dal 2024 artisti associati del Centro Nazionale di Produzione della Danza Cango, con cui firma produzioni ospitate in festival quali Romaeuropa, FOG Triennale, Short Theatre, Operaestate, Interplay e Gender Bender.

Nel 2020 riceve il Premio Danza&Danza come interprete emergente e dal 2026 è direttore artistico, insieme a Virgilio Sieni, di VS1, la nuova compagnia giovanile del Centro Nazionale di Produzione della Danza Cango di Firenze.

Sau-Ching Wong

(danzatrice La Veronal/ Marcos Morau)

Sau-Ching Wong, residente a Barcellona dal 2006, è nata nei Paesi Bassi e si è diplomata presso CODARTS Rotterdam.
Nel corso della sua carriera ha collaborato con coreografi e compagnie di fama internazionale, tra cui Metrosdansa, Leine&Roebana, Compagnia Zappalà Danza, IVONA e, più recentemente, LASADCUM.
Ha inoltre lavorato come attrice e coreografa per il cinema e il teatro con registi quali Àlex Rigola, Nao Albet e Marcel Borrás. Dal 2010 fa parte della compagnia La Veronal, diretta da Marcos Morau. Con la compagnia si è esibita nei più prestigiosi teatri e festival internazionali, interpretando produzioni come Rusia, Islandia, Siena, Pájaros Muertos, Voronia, Equal Elevations, Pasionaria e Sonoma.

Tiene regolarmente lezioni e workshop di tecnica classica, danza contemporanea, improvvisazione, composizione e sugli strumenti creativi e il repertorio di La Veronal presso importanti istituzioni, tra cui l'Institut del Teatre di Barcellona e l'Henny Jurriëns Studio di Amsterdam. Attualmente porta avanti un progetto personale insieme all'artista multidisciplinare e 3D Carles Castaño. Prodotto da Servicios Inmersivos, il progetto dà vita a performance interattive che esplorano l'incontro tra arti performative, arte digitale e tecnologia. I loro lavori sono stati presentati in contesti quali il Grec Festival, Fuori Programma, Arts Santa Mònica, MIRA Festival, L.E.V. Festival e MMMad Art. La loro più recente creazione, AGORA, è un'opera in realtà mista in cui il pubblico utilizza dispositivi di realtà virtuale per interagire sia con la scenografia sia con l'interprete.

Technique and Laboratory

Annalisa Di Lanno

Federica Esposito

Amalia Borsellino

Marco Laudani

Claudio Scalia

Alessandro Vacca

Daniela Rapisarda

Dario Rigaglia

Samir Calixto

Marco Pergallini

Stella Pitarresi

Manfredi Perego

Stefano Simmaco

Music and Hip Hop

Nello Toscano

Filosofia

Nello Calabrò

Dramaturgy

Classic

Ernesto Forni

Riccardo Cavalieri

Marta Greco

Lucrezia Catania

Maud de La Purification

I want to apply for ATELIER

Would you like to know more about the MoDem ATELIER? Press Here

“

‘MoDem PRO opened the door to a career I had always dreamed of. Roberto Zappalà's method is revolutionary.’

Elena
“

‘The intensity of the training is incomparable. Every day was a discovery, every movement a new possibility.’

Marco
“

‘Not only did it make me a better dancer, but it taught me to think about dance in a completely new way.’

Sofia

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