The Center for Choreographic research and composition was founded by Susan Buirge in 2000, with the help of the French Ministry of Culture and Communication and the Conseil général of Val d'Oise.
The CRCC proposed 3 workshops for dancers and choreographers:
- Improvisation Workshop, directed by Susan Buirge from 2001 to 2007
- Composition Workshop, directed by Susan Buirge from 1995 to 2007
- Repertory Workshop, directed by famous figures of the History of contemporary dance or Traditional dances 
The Improvisation Workshop: tools for immediate composition.
The work is based on propositions for structuring dance which integrate elements of language, specific aspects of space and factors of time.
After a few days of immersion into the work, a musician specialized in improvisation joins the group.
The work evolves in a constant flow between practice and analysis, which allows to further appreciate the choreographical and musical aspects of the various propositions.
Susan Buirge invited each year a musician specilized in improvized music: Jean-Marc padovani, Pascal Contet, Carol Robinson, Médéric Collignon...
In order to preserve the quality of the collective and individual work, the group is limited to 8 dancers selected on the basis of their dossier.
A public presentation ends the workshop.
The Composition Workshop : tools for choreographic construction.
The workshop aims at acquiring certain tools for the selection and manipulation of various factors; a general structure, elements of language, specific aspects of space and factors of time.
One of the distinctive features of this workshop is the use of a "grid" describing the whole spectrum of factors that must be taken into account before starting rehearsal.
During the first two weeks, the participants work from imposed processes for the making of a solo, duet and trio; each participant being simultaneously the (co)author and performer of his or her compositions. These are then shown to the whole group and analysed together.
The last week of the workshop is devoted to the development of personal projects integrating some of the factors previously worked upon.
This work will subsequently be shown to the public during a "Fenêtre sur Cour[s]".
Even if the proposed tools and processes are quite general in nature, it is obvious that each participant is to consider them according to his or her own personality and culture.
Every week, specialists from different artistic and scientific fields (for example an archeologist or a director, and every year 2 composers), are invited to observe the work-in-process for two days and to give lectures related to their own field.
This workshop is designed for 12 dancers and/or choreographers selected on the basis of their dossier.
As of 2006, the CRCC has opened the notion of repertory to include ancient dances from non western cultures, a heritage passed on through generations via the oral tradition of direct personal contact. Tradition can be a means of
questioning modern concerns and, in this case, a possible source for renewing choreographic propositions of contemporary dance today.
Each workshop considers one or more dances of a particular tradition, its period as well as the context, the style, the construction processes, the relationship to music, and all other necessary identifying elements.
In 2006, the workshop was devoted to Confucian Korean dances and will be directed by Hak-sun Lim (see here).
In 2007, the workshop will be devoted to Kagura, traditional agrarian dance of Japan, and especially to Iwami Kagura.
It will be directed by Tadashi Ishikawa, with the participation of Hiromi Fujihara, musician, and Susan Buirge, choerographer.
The kagura, ancestor of Noh, are dances directly related to the agrarian cycle that have been maintained for centuries by the village inhabitants. The music is essentially made of chants, flutes and percussion. The dances belong to ceremonies where the relationships between music, gestures and objects are finely codified. They can be a prayer or an entertainment addressed to the divinities. Iwami kagura, dating from the middle of the 19th century, is the last evolution of this ancient form, with both narrative and abstract parts concerning the founding myths of Japan.
The workshop will be held from 28 October to 4 November (dates to be confirmed).
A public presentation of the work accomplished will be presented on the 4 November, 5:00 pm.
Registration
Every participant benefits of a professional training contract which entitles him/her to receive a certificate of attendance and a certificate of skills acquired at the end of the workshop.
To confirm his/her participation, the candidate must return his/her contract signed, accompanied with the entrance fee within one week after receiving notification of being selected. If not, his/her inscription will be nullified.
Entrance fee is 150 euros for a workshop.
Membership to the association The Friends of Royaumont
is also due by all participants: 25 euros for one year.
Every year, participants' contributions allow young artists to participate in the workshops at Royaumont without paying the course fee.
Possible funding for the course fee
Participants may benefit of funding through the Afdas (for French residents) or other vocational training organizations from participants’ countries.
Some stipends may also be available from the AFAA (for foreigners), the Friends of Royaumont (for those under 26 years old) and the CRCC.
With funding, the only sum due by the participants is the entrance fee.
For advice about the vocational training stipend, it is recommended to send applications as soon as possible.
Steps for this grant should be taken when first applying to the CRCC.
Without funding, the fee is:
- 717 euros (all taxes included) for the Improvisation Workshop or the Repertory Workshop
- 1 017 euros (all taxes included) for the Composition Workshop,
accommodations and meals at the Royaumont Abbey included, entrance fee, accommodations and meals at the Royaumont Abbey included.
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