1. Benoit-Swan Pouffer is a critically-acclaimed choreographer
representing an innovative, less formalized approach to dance. Born
and raised in Paris, he studied as a dancer at the prestigious
Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique et de Danse. Early in
his career he took first place in the Benetton European Dance
Competition, a distinguishment that preceded seven years of dancing
with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, where he was a
principal dancer.
Benoit-Swan then spent a decade as Artistic Director for the Cedar
Lake Contemporary Ballet company which was named by the New
York Times, “a New York success story, possibly the country’s most
innovative contemporary ballet troupe with an A-list repertoire, and
an accent on creation that few companies worldwide can match.”
During his tenure as Artistic Director, Benoit-Swan demonstrated an
impressive range of shows driven by a philosophy of combining
skilled technique with unexpected forms of dance and drawing upon
his wide network in the international ballet community to introduce
audiences to world-class choreography. It was at Cedar Lake that he
became known for his discerning eye for talented dancers and a
vision of excellence.
A selection of his recent works includes Taboo, choreographed by
Benoit-Swan and co-directed with Franco Dragone, a director known
for his work with Celine Dion and Cirque du Soleil. With Dragone he
also choreographed Paris Merveilles, performed at the Lido on the
Champs Elysee, one of the most famous cabarets in the world. He was
also featured in and created the dance sequences for the major
motion picture The Adjustment Bureau, including original
choreography for the film’s leading lady Emily Blunt. His work on the
film earned him a 2011 Fred and Adele Astaire award nomination for
Best Film Choreography.
Other works include Ellie Goulding AMEX Unstaged directed by
Scarlett Johansson, and the popular American dance competition, So
You Think You Can Dance. Additionally Benoit Swan choreographed
Dangerous Beauty at the Pasadena Playhouse directed by Tony

2. nominee Sheryl Kaller, and the musical Amazing Grace directed by
Gabriel Barre and performed at Goodspeed Opera House.
Today Benoit-Swan’s work is seen all over the world, from Broadway
to the Lido in Paris to Macau, China. His talent for realizing a diverse
breadth of productions continues to challenge the traditional
audience experience, creating truly collaborative and innovative
work between performer and audience.