François Chaignaud

After graduating in 2003 from the CNSMD of Paris, François Chaignaud has  collaborated with numerous choreographers (Alain Buffard, Boris  Charmatz, Emmanuelle Huynh, Gilles Jobin). Since the creation of his  first piece in 2004, he has taken up a multiplicity of roles as dancer,  choreographer, singer, actor, historian, and cabaret artist. His  work—which weaves the aspiration for dance of a comprehensive expression  delving into the porosity and potential of bodies—is early on  characterized by the singing and dance articulation (Думи мої, 2013). Degreed in history, he nourishes his art with in-depth research. The historical depth reflects in his own pieces  as well as in the numerous collaborations he has done, and continues to  do, including with cabaret artist Jérôme Marin (Sous l’ombrelle, 2011), Marie Caroline Hominal (Duchesses, 2009), and visual artist Théo Mercier (Radio Vinci Park,  2016).

From 2005 to 2016, François Chaignaud created several notable pieces with Cecilia Bengolea that were performed around the world, including Pâquerette (2005-2008), Sylphides (2009), (M)IMOSA (co-written and performed with Trajal Harrell and Marlene Monteiro Freitas, 2011), Dub Love (2013), and DFS (2016). In 2021, he founded mandorle productions, affirming his desire to pursue an artistic approach marked by numerous collaborations. He created Romances inciertos, un autre Orlando (2017) with Nina Laisné, a dance and song performance based on the androgynous figures of Spanish baroque folklore, which was presented at the 72nd edition of the Avignon Festival.
In 2026 he becomes Director of the Centre chorégraphique national de Caen en Normandie.