Early in 2004/2005, at the start of the dance season, the Freiburg stadttheater opened up a new dimension in the world of dance. Together with the city of Heidelberg the theatre founded the new Freiburg Heidelberg Dance Theatre - a hitherto uniquie example of cooperation in Germany.

The leading choreographer is Irina Pauls, born in Leipzig in 1961. She will be working with the top-class ensemble in turn with three other choreographs - Joachim Schloemer, the young Spaniard Manuel Quero and David Bolger from Ireland - and will be defining the aesthetic expression of the new company with her own personal mark.  The company will be focusing on contemporary themes, motion not as an end in itself but as the expression and function of a concept.  New doors are therefore opened and a powerful impetus sparked in the audience which continues to reverberate for some time after the performance.