Theater Forever: Artizans / KH / Units

Tonight, Summer Dance Forever presents a theater program packed with thrilling performances. Karim Khouader presents a teaser of his new group piece Roses that reminds us that with imagination, anything is possible. And with Artizans, we will have French hip-hop legends onstage, showcasing their timeless influence and energy! The fierce all-female hip hop collective UnitS hits the stage with a short but powerful showcase. 

Q&A:
Want to know more? Stick around for the Q&A and ask some of your burning questions to the dancers and choreographers.

Cie. KH: ROSES (Teaser)
Running up to the world premiere in December, choreographer and dancer Karim Khouader gives us a teaser of his new piece Roses. This performance unfolds like a film — a piece of fiction. At its heart: the heist of a grand jewelry store hiding a rare elixir named Roses, a high-quality fragrance that awakens dreams and offers an escape from reality. What begins as a story within a story (mise en abyme) soon drifts into the realm of the fantastic.
The protagonist, a sensitive soul, dreams of escaping his working-class neighborhood to find his place in the world. A reversal of reality occurs, revealing the duality within him, plunging us deep into his imagination. Driven by a taste for risk, he’s capable of anything to survive. Yet, his poetic gift, his elegance, magnetic presence, and soul-stirring aura set him apart — his essence touches hearts and inspires dreams like no other.

Credits:
Choreography: Karim Khouader
Direction and Texts: Sébastien Amblard
Music Creation: Judicaël Mathurine
Lighting Design: Romane Lavigne
Styling: Julia Tembo
Performers: Ashley Biscette, Johanna Faye, Youri Fedida, Quentin Mariello, Judicaël Mathurine, Mathieu Rassin, Oumou Sy

ARTIZANS
ARTIZANS... meet the dancers of the Clubbing, Battle and Freestyle generation! Seven legendary dancers from the 1990s and 2000s reunite on stage to revive the energy and spirit of a defining era. Set against the backdrop of live DJ sets and virtuose dance rounds, they create a vibrant space for exchange—confronting their inspirations, influences, cultures, styles, and identities. Guided by a triple focus on memory, transmission, and self-affirmation, these guardians of the temple showcase the excellence of hip hop made in France. For over two decades, they have embodied its values and legacy on the international stage.

Credits:
Artistic Direction: ARTIZANS
Dancers: Yugson (Massangila Lumengo), Dedson (Ndedi Ma Sellu), Physs ”Philippe Almeida”, Didier Firmin, Fabbreezy “Fabrice Labrana”, Joseph Go “Niamien N'Guessan”, Tip Top (Goyi Tangale)
Artistic collaborator: Régis Truchy
Sound designer: Adrien Kanter
Light designer: Virgile "Amour" Garcia
Production & Distribution: Cécile Pouységur

UNITS COLLECTIVE
UNITS is a crew of seven female dancers brought together by their shared love for dance and hip-hop culture. As performers, dancers, and choreographers, they’ve all made their mark on the French hip-hop scene — both at home and internationally. With their work, they tackle the underrepresentation of women in hip-hop, a world that's still often seen as male-dominated. Through their movement, they explore how women's bodies and stories evolve over time and space, staying rooted in their passion for dance. They also want to spark a bigger conversation about how artists are supported — and how we can shift the way women are seen and celebrated in the industry.

Credits:
Choreography & performance: Oumou Sy «Oomoo», Laura Defretin «Nala», Linsey Liso «Lindsay», Maryne Esteban «Reverse», Sarah Jean-Gilles «Missy», Mayvis William «Mayvis», Sophie Montanus «Sophie May»