Maud Le Pladec has been appointed as the Director of Dance for all four ceremonies of the Paris 2024 Games, as well as the choreographer for the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics.
With less than 40 days remaining until the Games commence, Paris 2024 has teamed up with Thomas Jolly, the Artistic Director of the Ceremonies, to introduce a new member of the artistic team who has been diligently working for several months now to prepare for the four Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Following the appointment of Victor le Masne as the Musical Director, the Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 is pleased to announce the selection of Maud Le Pladec, a renowned choreographer and director of the Centre Choregraphique National d’Orleans, as the Director of Dance for the Paris 2024 Ceremonies and the choreographer for the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Maud Le Pladec, working with Thomas Jolly’s team, is tasked with developing the choreographic concept for the Paris 2024 ceremonies. She is responsible for crafting unique performances and collaborating with renowned figures in the dance world to bring to life the artistic tableaux for all four ceremonies.
I am pleased to announce that I have selected Maud Le Pladec as the Director of Dance for the upcoming Paris 2024 Ceremonies. The use of dance, as a language that transcends all barriers, will hold a significant role in the ceremonies. I chose Maud because she has the ability to incorporate various dance cultures in her own creations. Her artistic vision and vast experience make her a valuable addition to my team in selecting choreographers for the ceremonies. Maud is known for her unique style of blending modernity with raw emotions, and her exceptional skill in shaping the movements of the dancers adds a special touch to the natural backdrop of the Seine. With her expertise as a choreographer and director of the Ballet de Lorraine, each performance is bound to be an unforgettable experience, befitting of these extraordinary events.
Dance plays a vital role in the Paris 2024 project, specifically with the inclusion of breaking as a new form, as well as the Olympic Opening Ceremony. This grand spectacle will feature hundreds of dancers from various styles, adding to the excitement of the athletes’ parade. Appointing Maud Le Pladec, a highly acclaimed choreographer and dancer of her generation, to oversee the dance performances for all four ceremonies of the Paris 2024 Games and the choreography for the Olympic Opening Ceremony, is a daring decision that aligns with our vision of ‘Games wide open’. As an advocate for an inclusive approach to this art and a strong supporter of gender equality, Maud Le Pladec will bring her exceptional talent, vast experience and unwavering beliefs to collaborate with Thomas Jolly in creating unique and captivating artistic concepts that we are eagerly anticipating to share with you. -Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024
Maud Le Pladec expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm for the amazing chance to participate in the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. It is a special occasion to showcase the variety and inclusivity of modern dance on a global platform, with the beautiful city of Paris as the backdrop. With all forms of dance, Le Pladec aims to evoke emotions and make a lasting impression on the audience and viewers.
Life Story of Maud Le Pladec
Maud Le Pladec is a choreographer who has been in charge of the Centre choregraphique national d’Orleans since 2017. She started her career as a dancer at the CCN in Montpellier and then went on to create her own works in 2010. In 2016, she collaborated with Thomas Jolly at the Opera national de Paris to produce the opera Eliogabalo. In the same year, she took on the role of director at the Orleans-based institution.
Maud Le Pladec’s project at CCN d’Orleans welcomes all styles of dance and focuses on supporting young artists. Her performances showcase a blend of contemporary dance with influences from both popular and classical cultures. In her latest work, Silent Legacy, which debuted at the 2021 Festival d’Avignon, a 10-year-old dancer presents krump, an urban dance style originating in Los Angeles. Throughout her work, Maud Le Pladec strongly advocates for gender equality and incorporates elements of music, visual arts, and text. She holds the titles of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters and the National Order of Merit. In January 2025, she will assume the role of director at CCN-Ballet de Lorraine.
