Michael Simon

Michael Simon (1958) studied set design in Stuttgart from 1978 to 1981. In 1982, he began his collaboration with choreographer William Forsythe. Simon provided designs for productions including Gänge, LDC, Isabel’s Dance, Impressing the Czar, and Limb’s Theorem for Forsythe's Ballet Frankfurt.

Simon’s artistic relationship with Jiří Kylián began in 1987 with Sint Joris for Nederlands Dans Theater. Subsequently, they collaborated on works such as Kaguyahime, Stepping Stones, Whereabouts Unknown, Tiger Lily, Perfect Conception, Wings of Wax, Arcimboldo, Indigo Rose, and One of a Kind for NDT, Doux Mensonges for the Ballet de l’Opéra national de Paris, and Zugvögel for the Bayerisches Staatsballett. Additionally, he has worked extensively with Chinese choreographer Fei Bo since 2008. Simon also designs for opera productions, having worked with director Pierre Audi on several productions in Amsterdam between 1990 and 2011. Since 2008, he has led the set design programme at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste in Switzerland.

In addition to his work as a designer, Simon is also active as a director. He made his debut in 1994 with Black Rider and has since directed various theatre projects and opera productions.

Last update: 27-03-2024