Brunella: From dance studies to a stage career in Essen-Werden!

Brunella: From dance studies to a stage career in Essen-Werden!

Brunella Sabatino, an aspiring dancer, talks about her experiences transitioning from studying at the Folkwang University of the Arts to working life. After completing her bachelor's degree at the Accademia Nazionale di Danza in Rome, she recently completed her master's degree at Folkwang University. Founded in 1927, the Essen institution, known for its interdisciplinary art education, has had an important influence on its development. The main location of the Folkwang University is in the former Werden Abbey, while since 2010 there has also been a location in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zeche Zollverein. This variety of facilities allows students to train and experiment in various artistic disciplines, including dance, music and design, such as Wikipedia explained.

After Brunella completed her studies, she felt both excited and happy to leave university. She reflected on her identity in the outside world and spent the summer in Italy before returning to Essen-Werden in September. When she returned, she had a feeling of a new beginning, but was unsure and had difficulty finding a routine. Despite these challenges, she receives support from Folkwang University, which continues to invite her to take part in events and maintain the study community.

Career beginnings in Essen

September 2024 marked the beginning of her first professional experiences with a performance at the *Fragile 2024* festival at the Pina Bausch Center. This was followed by a residency at Tanz Station Barmer Bahnhof, where she worked on her project *Chella ca guarda n’terra*. During this residency she spent a lot of time alone, which brought about significant new developments for her artistic work.

In March 2025, Brunella will take part in a production at the Lutz Theater Hagen, where she was previously active. She has also started a one-year residency at Schlossfabrik e.V., an institution that promotes interdisciplinary projects. These experiences not only strengthen their professional skills, but also their network in the dance scene. She decided to stay in Essen because she found a supportive community of friends there, which is very important for dancers.

Community and challenges

Still, the loss of the Asta Café, which used to be a central meeting place for students, is a challenge. However, Brunella has found ways to stay connected to her community. She advises Folkwang students to collaborate as much as possible. The search for spontaneous collaborations is often more difficult after graduation.

The Folkwang University of the Arts continues to train talented artists and represents an important place for creative development. In the departments of music, theater, dance and design, not only practical but also academic courses are offered, taught by a renowned faculty. Important alumni such as Pina Bausch and Stefan Dohr demonstrate the quality of education at this traditional institution. Its history as the Folkwang School, which has lived on since its renaming to the Folkwang University in 1963 and finally to the Folkwang University of the Arts in 2010, reflects the continuous change and development in the world of performing arts Wikipedia.