Choreographer Paul Sanasardo, Influencing Pina Bausch, Dies at 97

Paul Sanasardo, an American choreographer known for his intense and psychologically dark dances, died on July 23rd in Park Ridge, Illinois, at the age of 97. His experimental, expressionistic style significantly influenced the vividly theatrical works of German choreographer Pina Bausch, an early collaborator.

Sanasardo and his artistic partner, Donya Feuer, emerged in the late 1950s, distinguishing themselves by choreographing as a pair and presenting ambitious, full-evening productions. Their challenging work, such as "Laughter After All" (1960) and the two-evening "Excursion for Miracles" (1961), experimented with stillness, pedestrian movement, and raw emotional expression.

Beginning in 1959, Sanasardo and Feuer collaborated with a young Pina Bausch, mentoring her and influencing her developing artistic vision. Bausch credited their partnership with shaping her career, stating that "everything would have been different" without them. She later founded Tanztheater Wuppertal, becoming a globally influential dance company.

Sanasardo continued to create numerous works, including "Metallics" (1963), which was performed by renowned companies like Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. His career also included leading the summer modern-dance program at Saratoga Performing Arts Center and serving as artistic director for Batsheva Dance Company in Israel. He returned to Chicago later in life, continuing to teach and choreograph until 2018.