CPPM OPEN CLASS: MART KANGRO (Estonia) • CPPM AUTUMN 2025 SEASON

Mart Kangro

Mart Kangro is a prominent Estonian choreographer, director, and performance artist, widely recognized for his highly conceptual and often philosophical approach to the stage. After a background in classical ballet, graduating from Tallinn Pedagogical University in 1996 and dancing with the Estonian National Opera for several years, Kangro made a significant shift towards contemporary performance art. This transition marked the beginning of his exploration into the deeper meaning of the human body and movement within the semiotic space-time of theatre, consistently addressing existential questions inherent to the stage situation.

Kangro’s works are characterized by their intellectual rigor and a subtle yet profound engagement with the audience. He often dismantles the traditional mechanisms of contemporary dance, presenting performances that blend dance, textual material, and personal experiences. His pieces frequently explore themes of memory and amnesia, questioning what we choose to remember and forget, and delving into the nature of historical and social memory. His early solo work, “Start. Based on a True Story” (2001), became a milestone in Estonian contemporary dance, reflecting his critical stance towards established dance theatre dogmas and showcasing his ability to engage audiences with seemingly simple yet deeply thoughtful movements and ideas.

Over the years, Kangro has developed a unique performance philosophy that positions performance as a form of “philosophy in action.” He seeks to embody philosophical ideas through sensuous experience, allowing audiences to engage with complex concepts on a visceral level. His collaborations are a testament to his diverse interests, working with German choreographers Thomas Lehmen and Christina Ciupke, as well as the Estonian musician and sound artist Taavi Kerikmäe, investigating the role of the performer in live music. He has also frequently collaborated with actor and director Juhan Ulfsak and dramaturg Eero Epner, creating devised theatre pieces that often feel like “performative cabinets of wonders.”

Kangro’s productions have been presented at major festivals in over 20 countries across Europe, including Kunstenfestivaldesarts in Brussels, Steirischer Herbst in Graz, and Tanz im August in Berlin. Recent works like “Pantheon,” co-produced by Kanuti Gildi SAAL and Von Krahl Theatre, continue to explore cultural history, the meaning of being together, and the subtle gestures that define human connection, often drawing inspiration from art historical atlases. Mart Kangro remains a significant figure in Estonian and European contemporary performance, consistently challenging perceptions and offering profound reflections on the human condition through his distinctive and thought-provoking artistic practice.