Foxtrot, quickstep, waltz, tango, mambo, rumba, cha-cha, samba… These ballroom dances and sports dances all exist in the production directed by Pierre Dulaine and Yvonne Marceau.

The choreography is by John Roudis, who began his career as a ballroom dancer in 1930, and who was Rudolf Valentino's partner in the “Sheik”. A one-of-a-kind rendezvous, filled with charm, elegance and class.

“Pierre Dulaine has the charm of a Fred Astaire and Yvonne Marceau the delicacy of an Irène Castle”, Marylyn Hunt, “Dancemagazine”, 1985

Source : Maison de la Danse programme

Author, filmmaker and video artist Charles Picq (1952-2012) entered working life in the 70s through theatre and photography. A- fter resuming his studies (Maîtrise de Linguistique - Lyon ii, Maîtrise des sciences et Techniques de la Communication - grenoble iii), he then focused on video, first in the field of fine arts at the espace Lyonnais d'art Contemporain (ELAC) and with the group « Frigo », and then in dance.
   On creation of the Maison de la Danse in Lyon in 1980, he was asked to undertake a video documentation project that he has continued ever since. During the ‘80s, a decade marked in France by the explosion of contemporary dance and the development of video, he met numerous artists such as andy Degroat, Dominique Bagouet, Carolyn Carlson, régine Chopinot, susanne Linke, Joëlle Bouvier and regis Obadia, Michel Kelemenis. He worked in the creative field with installations and on-stage video, as well as in television with recorded shows, entertainment and documentaries.

His work with Dominique Bagouet (80-90) was a unique encounter. He documents his creativity, assisting with Le Crawl de Lucien and co-directing with his films Tant Mieux, Tant Mieux and 10 anges. in the 90s he became director of video development for the Maison de la Danse and worked, with the support of guy Darmet and his team, in the growing space of theatre video through several initiatives:
       - He founded a video library of dance films with free public access. This was a first for France. Continuing the video documentation of theatre performances, he organised their management and storage.
       - He promoted the creation of a video-bar and projection room, both dedicated to welcoming school pupils.
       - He started «présentations de saisons» in pictures.
       - He oversaw the DVD publication of Le tour du monde en 80 danses, a pocket video library produced by the Maison de la Danse for the educational sector.

       - He launched the series “scènes d'écran” for television and online. He undertook the video library's digital conversion and created Numeridanse.

His main documentaries are: enchaînement, Planète Bagouet, Montpellier le saut de l'ange, Carolyn Carlson, a woman of many faces, grand ecart, Mama africa, C'est pas facile, Lyon, le pas de deux d'une ville, Le Défilé, Un rêve de cirque.

He has also produced theatre films: Song, Vu d'ici (Carolyn Carlson), Tant Mieux, Tant Mieux, 10 anges, Necesito and So schnell, (Dominique Bagouet), Im bade wannen, Flut and Wandelung (Susanne Linke), Le Cabaret Latin (Karine Saporta), La danse du temps (Régine Chopinot), Nuit Blanche (Abou Lagraa), Le Témoin (Claude Brumachon), Corps est graphique (Käfig), Seule et WMD (Françoise et Dominique Dupuy), La Veillée des abysses (James Thiérrée), Agwa (Mourad Merzouki), Fuenteovejuna (Antonio Gades), Blue Lady revistied (Carolyn Carlson).

Source: Maison de la Danse de Lyon

Artistic Direction: Pierre Dulaine , Yvonne Marceau

Creation: 1984

Executive Director Otto Cappel (active 1984 - 2009) along with showdance champions and Broadway dance couple Pierre Dulaine & Yvonne Marceau founded the American Ballroom Theater Company (ABrT) in 1984 and established the company's educational arm, Dancing Classrooms, in 1994. Internationally renowned performers and teachers, Dulaine & Marceau are four-time winners of the British Exhibition Championships, earned the 1993 Dance Magazine Award, and received the 1989 - 1990 Astaire Award for Best Dancing on Broadway for the roles they created and choreographed as the mellifluous couple in Tommy Tune's Grand Hotel.

Dulaine & Marceau have been faculty members at both the School of American Ballet and The Juilliard School, as well as guest teachers at Alvin Ailey. In 2005 they received the Americans for the Arts Award for Education.

Most recently, their influence has extended into films with the release of the major motion picture "Take The Lead". The film, starring Antonio Banderas as Pierre Dulaine, was inspired by Pierre's teaching experience in schools. Ms. Marceau has choreographed for various companies and events, including the Julia Roberts film "Mona Lisa Smile".

In the Spring of 2010, American Ballroom Theater changed its name to Dancing Classrooms.

"Ms. Marceau and Mr. Dulaine are a dancing dream and the way they melt into and out of each other's arms ought to serve as a required course in partnering for the young." - New York Times

Source : Dancing Classrooms 's website

More information : dancingclassrooms.com