Benoit-Swan Pouffer

Benoit-Swan Pouffer is the Artistic Director of Rambert and an internationally renowned dance artist and company leader. Born and trained in Paris, he moved to New York where he spent seven years as a principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He went on to become the Artistic Director of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, a post he held for 10 years. His tenure at the helm of the company was described by The New York Times as “a New York success story,” gaining wide acclaim for introducing a new generation of international choreographers to US audiences, being the first in the country to commission work from artists including Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Alexander Ekman, Crystal Pite, and Hofesh Shechter. As a choreographer, Benoit has made dance for companies around the world including Ailey II and Rambert’s early career ensemble, Rambert2, as well as feature films, music videos, and Broadway shows. Recently, he directed Note To Self for Rambert, the last of a 2021 series of innovative livestreamed dance works performed, filmed, and broadcast in real time on Rambert Home Studio to fans around the world. He also directed and choreographed Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby for Rambert in 2022. His ability to blend artistically stimulating content with commercially popular work has led to critical acclaim.