(LA)HORDE was formed in 2013 by the artists Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer, and Arthur Harel, and has directed the Ballet national de Marseille since 2019.

Through films and performances (Novaciéries (2015), Cloud Chasers (2016), The Master’s Tools (2017), Cultes (2019), Room With A View (2020), Ghosts (2021), and choreographed pieces (Night Owl, (2016), To Da Bone (2017), Marry Me in Bassiani (2019), Room With A View (2020), Age of Content (2023), (LA)HORDE examines dance's political dimensions, mapping the choreographic forms of uprising, whether isolated or en masse, from raves to traditional dances and even jumpstyle.

Click to see (LA)HORDE's page
Click to see (LA)HORDE's website

In 1972, the Mayor of Marseille, Gaston Deferre, suggested to choreographer Roland Petit that he move his company to Marseille, in order to revitalise the city’s opera. At the time, Petit's company was touring around France and the world. He accepted and created the Ballets de Marseille, rooting it in the modern choreographic style of the 1970s and 80s. In November of that same year, he introduced his first creation, PINK FLOYD BALLET, accompanied live by the legendary rock band themselves. Throughout his career, Roland Petit continued ceaselessly to disrupt the conventions of classical ballet and contemporary dance. In Marseille, he established a practice of collaborating with renowned artists: the designer Yves Saint Laurent, the principal dancer Mikhaïl Barychnikov, and the painters Keith Haring and David Hockney…

In 1981, the company became the Ballet national de Marseille, and 11 years later invested in a site specifically designed by the architect Roland Simounet to host the Ballet's activities, as well as those of the École national de danse de Marseille, which was also created by Roland Petit.

The Ballet national de Marseille became a National Choreographic Centre in 1984, under the direction of Roland Petit. He was then succeeded by Marie-Claude Pietragalla (1998-2004), Frédéric Flamand (2004-2014), and Emio Greco and Pieter C.Scholten (2015-2019). Each director developed new artistic dynamics and increased work to raise awareness of the centre.

The collective (LA)HORDE took over direction of the BNM in 2019, after being nominated by the Minister of Culture and the City of Marseille. In line with their predecessors' approach, they view the Ballet as a tool for unrestricted creation, open to all artistic forms of writing and collaboration.

For (LA)HORDE, the Ballet is a safe space, focused on the youth and young artists, to explore new ways of representation and sharing of artistic forms. In their transdisciplinary creations, they question what ballet is in the digital age and continually consider the political concerns that mark our time: diversity, inclusivity, and openness of institutional and cultural sites to bodies and practices that still are not provided with enough visibility.

Théo Mercier

Théo Mercier

Théo Mercier devient en septembre 2025 artiste associé au CCN Ballet national de Marseille dans le cadre du dispositif soutenu par le ministère de la Culture.

Il poursuit son expérimentation autour des paysages performatifs et des économies d’emprunt avec une nouvelle série d’expositions-performances, qui sera créée en 2027 et située au coeur de l’extrême tension qui existe entre les institutions artistiques et les centres de déchets.

Dans le cadre de sa recherche, Théo Mercier mènera au cours de cette saison une série de workshops avec les danseur·euse·s permanent·e·s et apprenti·e·s du BNM et participera à la curation du prochain Moteur de Recherche au printemps 2026.

theomercier.com

Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

Subscribe to newsletter

BNM STUDIO RESIDENCY

Call for Projects 1st Semester 2026

As part of the Studio Residency program, established in 1988 by the French Ministry of Culture, the CCN Ballet National de Marseille (BNM) hosts and provides professional support to artists working in the fields of choreography, performance and visual arts, in the making or re-making of a Creation at any stage of production.

In keeping with the artistic project of the BNM, the Studio Residency highlights diverse artistic practices, supporting both emerging and established artists and representing varied aesthetics. The program is open to choreographic and performative works, as well as film and installation pieces.

The bi-annual call for application is open to French and International candidates. Special attention will be given to artists based in the city of Marseille, the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolis and the Sud region. Selected projects are granted a coproduction fee, studio space and technical, logistical and/or administrative support.

The 1st SEMESTER 2026 Open Call will consider requests for residencies taking place between January 5th and July 19th, 2026

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

SEPTEMBER 14th, 2025 at 11:59 PM

to: residences@ballet-de-marseille.com

An automatic reply e-mail will be sent acknowledging receipt of all applications.

Please contact us if this is not the case.

Our team will inform applicants of the final response in November 2025.

YOUR APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE

• Filled-in Application Form (download blank form HERE (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3u0q5yomrzuupt1uapp1n/CCN-BNM_DEMANDE-AS-S1-2026-ENG.xlsx?rlkey=s9p6tca8i78s8jyjpq7y7k5xe&dl=0)) MUST BE SENT IN EXCEL FORMAT. Please insert video links in the appropriate boxes.
• Artistic Presentation of the Project including the biographies of cast and artist(s).
• General touring schedule of the company/collective.
• List of the company/collective’s previous creations.
• Balanced provisional Finance Plan (including expenses and incomes – specifying if the incomes are confirmed or in negotiation).

Artistic directors
(LA)HORDE - Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer, Arthur Harel

Executive director
Clémence Sormani

Executive secretary
Jeanne Poquet

Artistic assistant for (LA)HORDE
Nadia El Hakim

Manager for dancers' preparation
Valentina Pace

Artistic assistant
Thierry Hauswald

Manager
Jean-Pascal Sorroché

Assistant Manager
Carole Bérengier

Human Resources Assistant
David Vincendeau

Accountant
Muriel Négrel

Administration Officer
Valérie Sicard

Distribution Officer
Sophie Guéneau

Outreach and Distribution Manager
Pauline Mairone

Production Manager
Emilie Gillot

Production Coordinator
Ashley Molco Castello

Production and Distribution Assistant
Margaux Cataluna

Communications Officer
Julia Bureau

Public Events Officer
Clotilde Eustache

Public Events Assistant
Lina Pinatel

Pour contacter un membre de l'équipe
première lettre du prénom.nomdefamille[@]ballet-de-marseille.com

Costumer
Nicole Murru

Tour Manager
Rémi D’Apolito

Principal Manager
Julien Parra

Buildings and Security Manager
Frédéric Granger

Technician
Youri Aroussi

AUDITION

PERMANENT DANCERS

CCN Ballet national de Marseille -(LA)HORDE is recruiting permanent dancers for the 2025/2026 season.

Full-time, open-ended contract.
Salary according to Syndéac scale + bonuses.
Start date no later than September 1, 2025.

Download the audition notice

JOBS

Communication Assistant (internship 3-4 months)

The Communications department is looking for a communications assistant for an internship starting April 1. Ad to download here.

President
Daniel Hermann

Treasurer
Emmanuelle Luciani

20 bd de Gabès, 13008 Marseille

Metro Rond-point du Prado
Bus 19 or 83 Prado Tunis stop
Bike station Prado Tunis

Connexion à l'espace professionnel

Website and digital art by Tristan Bagot & Bottex Elsensohn
Typeface BNM Lunch by Alice Gavin Services