Mats
Ek
Benois de la Danse laureate
Benois de la Danse nominee
He did not dance during his youth apart from a role at the age of eight together with his twin sister in a ballet titled Medea choreographed by Birgit Cullberg.
At the age of 17, he followed a summer dance course (modern) taught by Donya Feuier. Following this course he realized that he preferred theatre and hence pursued a theatrical study at the Marieborg Volks College in Sweden.
From 1966 until 1973, he acted as the director for the Marionett Theater as well as the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm.
In 1972, however, Ek took up his dance training again and joined the Cullberg Ballet.
During 1975, Ek formed part of the corps de ballet for the Ballett der Deutschen Oper am Rhein in Dsseldorf. And in 1976, he made his first choreography titled The Officer's Servant for the Cullberg Ballet.
In 1978, Ek became, together with Birgit Cullberg, artistic director of the Cullberg Ballet, until 1985 when the responsibility became his entirely. This position he fulfilled until 1993.
During the season 1980-1981, he was associated with the Nederlands Dans Theater as dancer as well as choreographer.
In some of Ek's former choreographies, traditions of Kurt Jooss and of his mother, Birgit Cullberg may be apparent. He uses classical as well as modern dance techniques.
Social engagement of psychological dilemmas combined with subtle humor, form the basis of his choreographies.
For Ek, movement is a means of individual expression. Aesthetic value is not his first priority.
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