Leo
Kees
ACADEMIC TEACHING
In movement training, I have taught release technique and floorwork, emphasising sequential movement and drawing on somatic approaches such as the Feldenkrais Method and Alexander Technique. My partnering and improvisation classes are informed by a background in contact improvisation, which I work to direct towards project-specific movement research.
In creative practice, my teaching focuses on movement, composition, improvisation and the development of artistic work for the stage, with particular attention to the relationship between dramaturgy and the ways movement produces meaning. Through diverse approaches, I encourage students to develop their own creative processes, articulate the reasoning behind their choices and take responsibility for their artistic decisions
While I continue to value and teach these subjects, and have pursued further university teaching positions in recent years, my focus has increasingly shifted towards the capacity for transformation. Techniques and aesthetic approaches emerge within particular historical and cultural contexts; their relevance depends on our ability to question, reinterpret and extend them.
I therefore seek to develop a pedagogy that combines embodied knowledge with critical reflection and artistic autonomy.
Beyond acquiring a particular vocabulary, students should develop the capacity to examine their own habits, adapt to unfamiliar conditions and generate approaches of their own. The aim is to prepare them to shape an evolving artistic practice in dialogue with contemporary social realities, their creative interests and the values they choose to bring into their work.
Examples of movement work with students at the Folkwang University of ther Arts in Germany
TANZABEND 3RD YEAR
Project with the third year students of the
Dance Department at FUdK
Choreography: Leo Kees, in collaboration with the students.
DASH
Project with the Tanz-Gymnasium students at
the Neue Aula, Folkwang University.
Choreography: Leo Kees, in collaboration with the students.
WRITING ON WATER
Multimedia Dance piece for the Folkwang
Tanzstudio at the FUdK
Choreography: Leo Kees, in collaboration with the FTS. Dancer: Sergey Zhukov. Camera: Pipo Tafel
STAMPEDE
Project with the Tanz-Gymnasium students (teenagers) at
the Neue Aula, Folkwang University.
Choreography: Leo Kees, in collaboration with the students.
MOVEMENT AND CAMERA CHOREOGRAPHY
Reserch work Folkwang
Tanzstudio at the FUdK.
Choreography: Leo Kees, in collaboration with FTS. Dancer: Ines Fishbach. Camera: Pipo Tafel
Examples of Partnering work with students and alumni from the Folkwang University
CONTACT IMPROVISATION WORKSHOP
with students from the Physical Theatre Department
at FUdK.
COMBAT & PARTNERING-BASED STAGE WORK
Work with graduates from the Folkwang University of the Arts.
Choreography: Leo Kees, in collaboration with the performers.
PARTNERING REEL
Works at Folkwang University of the Arts and Folkwang Tanzstudio, Essen.
Choreography: Leo Kees, in collaboration with Marcela Ruiz Quinteros and Sebastian Gibas.
PARTNERING AND AUDIOVISUAL WORK
Work created in collaboration with FUdK physical theatre graduate Gabriel Torres Morandi.
Examples of Devising work with students at the Folkwang University of ther Arts in Germany
THE METAMORPHOSIS
Project with the Physical-Theatre students at
the FUdK.
Choreography: Leo Kees, in collaboration with the students.
AN ODYSSEY / EINE ODYSSEE
Project with Ximena Ameri, Physical-Theatre student at
the FUdK.
Collaboration as director with performer and creator Ximena Ameri
NIVEA “THE MUSICAL”
Project with the Acting and Physical-Theatre
department at the FUdK.
Choreography: Leo Kees, in collaboration with the students.
SOFA TRIO
Project with Dance Students at the FUdK.
* Initially developed as a student. Choreography: Leo Kees
Teaching Experience (selection)
2010–2023 — Guest Lecturer in Physical Theatre
Folkwang Universität der Künste, Essen (DE)
2026 — Interdisciplinary Workshop: Serotonin Lab
tanzhaus nrw, Düsseldorf (DE)
2025 — Training Workshop for Professional Dancers
Künstler*innenhaus Mousonturm, Frankfurt am Main (DE)
2023 — Improvisation and Choreography, Guest Lecturer
Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (MX)
2023 — Improvisation Workshop
Camp-In Festival, Yucatán (MX)
2021 — Guest Lecturer / Seminar Dr. Lena Geuer: Kunst und Queerness im lateinamerikanischen und US-amerikanischen Raum
TU Dresden- Institut für Kunst- und Musikwissenschaft (DE)
2019 — Improvisation Workshop at the Goethe-Institut Malaysia
DPAC Performing Arts Centre Kuala Lumpur, (MY)
2019 — Composition and Improvisation Workshop
School of Fine Arts, Dance Department, University of Manila (PH)
2018 — Improvisation Workshop as part of The Strangers
Goethe-Institut Seoul (KR)
2017 — Composition and Improvisation, Guest Lecturer
Instituto Universitario Patagónico de Arte (AR)
2016 — Tanztheaterprojekt
Folkwang Universität der Künste, Essen / Bochum (DE)
2016 — Guest Lecturer in Contemporary Dance
Escuela Experimental de Danza Contemporánea, Neuquén (AR)
2016 — Professional Training in Contemporary Dance
Stadttheater Bielefeld (DE)
2015 — Direction of the physical theatre project Darwin
Folkwang Universität der Künste, Essen (DE)
2013 — Professional Training for the Dance Company
Stadttheater Bremen (DE)
2012 — Student Project, Graduation Class
Escuela Profesional de Danza Contemporánea (MX)
2011 — Guest Lecturer for a Project with Graduates of the Escuela Experimental de Danza Contemporánea (AR)
2011 — Improvisation Workshop
Stadttheater St. Gallen / Marco Santi (CH)
2010 — Direction of the physical theatre project Die Verwandlung
Folkwang Universität der Künste, Essen (DE)
2009 — Improvisation, Guest Lecturer
Instituto Universitario Patagónico de Arte (AR)
2008 — Contemporary Dance Technique and Professional Training
tanzhaus nrw, Düsseldorf (DE)
2008 — Release Technique, Guest Teacher
Company Neuer Tanz, Düsseldorf (DE)
2007 — ContemporaryDance Training, Guest Teacher
Folkwang Tanzstudio, Essen (DE)
2007 — Release Technique and Improvisation
Companhia Lia Rodrigues, Rio de Janeiro (BR)
2007 — Improvisation Professional Training
tanzhaus nrw, Düsseldorf (DE)
2006 — Contemporary Dance Training, Guest Teacher
Folkwang Tanzstudio, Essen (DE)