Guiding principles

Melding dance practice with theory and research, DDRC Athens provides space for inspiration, experimentation and creativity to artists of the Greek and international dance community. Promoting new physical and verbal dialogues, exploring the choreographic, philosophical, scientific, technological and educational strands of dance, DDRC accompanies and provides coaching, practical support and services to emerging choreographers, while they are seeking and articulating their own choreographic voice.

DDRC is:

  • an international residency center for individual artists or dance companies elaborating experimental and research projects.
  • a platform for the presentation of small-scale works (indoor and outdoor venue).
  • a field of exploration and technical as well as artistic development in dance for kids and amateurs.
  • a forum for the exchange of critical discourse and ideas among artists, the public and members of the local community.
  • a point of reference and source of inspiration for all the dance community and researchers of the Isadora & Raymond Duncan legacy.
  • an environmental frame for installations, site-specific works and other interdisciplinary projects.

History

DDRC is housed in a unique building of historic value and architectural interest, designed and built in 1903 by Isadora Duncan’s brother Raymond Duncan.
 The building, designed according to the specifications of the ancient Mycenaean mansion, is one of the very few venues worldwide that have been created specifically for dance and that, a hundred years later, are still serving this purpose. It is the realization of the Duncans’ utopian vision of a space where dance is in a constant, fluid relationship with day-to-day life. This first House of Dance is the foundation of today’s Duncan Center.

In 1980, the Municipality of Vyronas responding to the call of international organizations, and honoring Isadora Duncan’s work and legacy, undertook the renovation of the building. The relevant work was completed in 1992. It has been characterized by the Ministry of Culture as a Modern Monument.

Building and facilities

DDRC Athens is operating with 2 studios and 2 meeting rooms. It hosts afternoon classes for kids and amateurs, workshops for professional dancers, research projects and residencies (lack of accommodation rooms), informal showings, lectures and reflection platforms. The outer space and the architectural specifications of the house provide an appropriate frame for cross disciplinary projects, installations, site specific works and community dance productions. The audience capacity reaches the 100-120 people. During the summer months, performances can be hosted in the 2 open theatres (600 and 2.500 capacity) of the City of Byronas.

Duncan Center collaborates with local dance companies and other cultural institutions such as with Kalamata Dance International Festival, Stegi, Athens and Epidaurus Festival, etc.

Photo: Prokopis Papagergiou

Contact
Chrisafis 34 and Dikearchou street
16232
Vyronas – Athens
Greece
www.duncandancecenter.org
info@duncandancecenter.org

Register for EDN Atelier: Meeting Ground

June 1-2, 2022

Atelier held in Athens on June 1-2, 2022 is open to both EDN members and other international participants.

The EDN Atelier will be held in Athens on June 1-12, 2022, co-organised and hosted by Duncan Dance Research Center. The Atelier includes lecture/performances, working sessions, installations, collective activities, discussions and more. Atelier is open to EDN members and others. Registration for EDN members and the international participants is May 18, for local participants May 30.

More

Duncan Dance Research Center with Inter-esse Project

1 October 2022

Inter-esse as part of the MOVING GROUND project.

The first sharing of this work was part of the EDN Atelier Moving ground in June (scores 1-7) while on the 1st of October the complete work (scores 1-12) will be performed at the Duncan Dance Research Centre's community garden.

More

Reports from EDN Activities

Read, listen and watch reports from EDN activities in 2022.

Commissioned researchers and experts reported in great detail on EDN activities. Here you can find all reports of seven EDN activities in 2022.

More

Perform Europe's Documentary Published

20 October 2022

The documentary was shot in June 2022 during the Perform Europe’s Impact Event.

With contributions from 19 Perform Europe's partnerships, consortium and jury members, the consortium consisted of IETM - International network for contemporary performing arts, the European Festivals Association (EFA), Circostrada Network, European Dancehouse Network and IDEA Consult created the Perform Europe’s Documentary, which aims to reflect and unravel the impact that taking part in the Perform Europe pilot had on the partnerships and the communities to which they toured, as well as look behind the scenes at the Perform Europe journey and selection process.

 

More

EDN Activities in 2023

February - May 2023

The European Dancehouse Network presents its activities in 2023.

The European Dancehouse Network continues its EU-funded EDNext 2022-2024 programme with the theme of equity explored through activities co-organised and hosted by EDN members in 2023.

More

EDN Conference 2022: a Short Summary

14 November 2022

More than 400 registered participants from 49 different countries worldwide.

EDN's annual online conference brought together artists, dance practitioners and researchers to discuss environmental sustainability in the context of contemporary dance.

More

EDN Releases the Publication "Environmental Sustainability in Contemporary Dance: Emerging Issues, Practices and Recommendations."

15 November 2022

Commissioned research publication examines the relationship between environmental sustainability and contemporary dance, with a particular focus on the role of dance production centres.

The publication provides the context, references and examples of where and how dance intersects with environmental sustainability, and which set of actions can lead to effective action. Both executive summary and full publication are available for download.

More

EDN Campaign 2022 Final Document Released

15 November 2022

Endorsed by all of its 48 members from 28 European countries, the European Dancehose Network releases the EDN Campaign 2022 document.

EDN campaign presents concrete actions and ideas to engage the contemporary dance sector in Europe, its advocates, funders and stakeholders, in a shared movement towards a sustainable future.

More

Creative Europe Opens Call for Cooperation Projects

17 November 2022 - 23 February 2023

Application deadline is 23 February 2023.

The call will support projects to carry out a broad spectrum of activities and initiatives involving artists and stakeholders active in different cultural and creative sectors.

More
Activities EDN
Back
Next

The action of Zooming in

An Atelier investigating relations between ‘Dance and Craft’ organised by The Isadora & Raymond Duncan Dance Research Center, Athens.

The Atelier invited artists from the performance arts, pedagogues and cultural workers to explore, observe and experience a range of materials, techniques and methods of craft and to share and reflect on the insights that crafts can initiate through a series of workshops and lectures/performances.

Summary list

Meeting in Athens

In November 2015 Athens and The Isadora and Raymond Duncan Dance Research Center (DDRC) would be for the first time the host and meeting point of the artistic directors and curators of EDN.

Read here an overview of the whole proposal by Penelope Iliaskou, director of DDRC Athens.

Summary list

Modul-dance

Modul-dance was a multi-annual cooperation project with the participation of 20 European dance houses from 16 countries. Its main aim was to support development, mobility and exchange for dance artists.

Summary list

IDEE

The very first step towards EDN, IDEE was proposed by 9 dancehouses working together for the first time as a network. It set out to work with emerging choreographers to help them to make connections across Europe and to contextualise their work for international audiences.

Summary list

EDN Atelier: Moving Ground

The EDN Atelier was held in Athens on June 1-2, 2022, co-organised and hosted by Duncan Dance Research Center. Atelier was open to EDN members and others.

Summary list