Established in Bergen in 1989 and with its home base in Studio Bergen, the company tours and develops its artistic activities both in Norway and internationally.
Consisting of 14 international dancers, the company is solidly supported by their technical qualities, their personalities, and their incredible creativity. Thus, they rise to the challenge of opening up to a wide field of performances and aesthetics, which are necessary to maintain the diversity of the repertoire.
The company’s reputation allows it to be an enviable artistic partner to both renowned choreographers and a new generation of talents.
Under the artistic direction of the French choreographer Annabelle Bonnéry, the company commissions choreographers who are involved in social questions and who express themselves through dance. She has expanded the company’s artistic offerings to include an additional program aimed at diverse audiences as part of its audience development and sustainability-focused framework for touring.
The director also turns to artists who are concerned about the encounter between different artistic fields. Carte Blanche produces new creations every season, creating thus an exciting and unique high-quality repertoire, underpinning the company’s goal to be an innovative forerunner, presenting and developing contemporary dance in Norway and abroad.
Carte Blanche AS is owned and funded by the Ministry of Culture, Vestland County Council and the City of Bergen.
CURRENT REPERTOIRE:
CANCEL BERTHA by choreographer Jan Martens. CANCEL BERTHA moves to its own rhythm—a playful blend of energy, curated chaos, and unexpected creativity. The performance reflects Martens’ signature approach: reimagining dance as a space for individuality, connection, and subtle humor. Co-produced by the Bergen International Festival 2025, CANCEL BERTHA will have its world premiere in May 2025 during the festival, with shows playing in Studio Bergen 22 – 24 and 27 – 31 May.
HOW ROMANTIC by Katerina Andreou is a deeply ironic commentary on how we experience struggles of life as a spectacle – both in their grand gestures and smallest details. We witness an intense marathon, echoing the dance marathons during the Great Depression in the US.
BIRGET; Ways to deal, ways to heal by Elle Sofe Sara & Joar Nangoo (NO). Premiered 9 February 2023 in The Norwegian Opera & Ballet Co-Produced by The Norwegian Opera & Ballet, Bergen International Festival, Nordic Next, and BIT Teatergarasjen.
Carte Blanche continues 2025 with MONUMENT 0.10: THE LIVING MONUMENT by Eszter Salamon, performed at Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles (BE) from Feb 20–21 2025 and at Théâtre de la Ville, Paris (FR) from March 26–28 2025.
Sovaco de Cobra by Lander Patrick (PT) premiered as part of the double bill mellomland on May 26, 2022, in Studio Bergen (NO), Co-produced by Bergen International Festival.
Retro Cat by Tori Wrånes (NO) premiered on May 26, 2024 in Studio Bergen (NO) Co-produced with Carte Blanche and Bergen International Festival in collaboration with BIT Teatergarasjen
Photo:
But Then (DSC…) Photo: Thor Brødreskift
Mellomland Bud/Sovaco de Cobra Photo: Øystein Haara
The Living Monument Photo: Øystein Haara
Birget Photo: Øystein Haara
Retro Cat Photo: Øystein Haara