Efthimis Tsimageorgis

Efthimis Tsimageorgis

Twelve-year-old Efthimis Tsimageorgis signed up for a hiphop class through a classmate. Secretly.

"I have diabetes, so my parents didn't want me to do physically strenuous things." Even before the actual lesson, Efthimis is sold: "During the last regular school lesson of the day, I was already out of my mind. I was only thinking about the cool outfit I would wear to the hip-hop class." His parents eventually agreed to more classes. "I said: I have to move. If I don't, I'll be unhappy."

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Video by Iris Hendriks // Special thanks to Maritiem Museum

Russian ballet teacher

The teachers recognised Efthimis's talent and soon he was taking modern dance classes and, to help a friend out of a jam, he became her Latin dance partner, which brought him awards. It was not until he was fifteen that he took his first ballet class. "The Russian teacher convinced me that ballet is the basis of everything. She was a good teacher, and I was a good student: I gave one hundred percent and dreamed of dancing in New York one day."

Because the costs of training at, for example, the American Juilliard are too high, he auditioned, on the advice of a fellow student, at Codarts Rotterdam. "I had no idea. In a blazing hot studio I recorded an improvisation video. I had never improvised before, knew nothing about editing, but miraculously I was accepted."

Efthimis Tsimageorgis

"At Scapino you are a person, not a 'dance machine'.

 

Muscle aches

In his fourth year of study, he did an internship at Scapino. "I was overjoyed. On the very first day, I was allowed to learn a new work by Itamar Serussi. He has a unique dance language, and after the first rehearsals I couldn't walk because of the muscle aches." Ed Wubbe then gave him a role in Pas de deux. "That was also challenging, but more in a 'happy way'. Ed gives you all the space to explore new movements and make them your own."

After his internship year, there is no contract available, but Wubbe tells him, "I want to see you again in the future." Efthimis, laughing: "Only later did I discover that he really meant it."

Curriculum Vitae

Born
1994, Kavala, Greece

Education
- Dance Academy Kavala
- Codarts Rotterdam

Previously danced at
Saarländisches Staatstheater Saarbrücken, Duitsland

With Scapino since
2019 (and as a trainee in season2015/2016)

Performed in
Pas de deux, Holland & Le Chat Noir, Pearl, The Great Bean, The Blend, The end does not see, Rite Here Rite Now, Casablanca

Scholarships, awards and prizes
Beurs van de Kylián Foundation

Efthimis Tsimageorgis

"My ambition is: to stay with Scapino for the time being, to travel, and above all to be good to myself and others.

 

Total dedication

For three years he worked at the Saarländisches Staatstheater in Saarbrücken, where he danced in works by artistic director Stijn Celis and well-known choreographers such as Jiří Kylián, Alexander Ekman and Andonis Foniadakis. "In the third year, however, the repertoire became more and more classical. Scapino was going to start a second company, I sent some videos and was allowed to come back."

For him, he says, Scapino is "a house where everyone works with total dedication to keeping the art of dance alive". And a place where he is really seen as a human being, rather than as a 'dance machine'. His favourite production to date is the diptych Holland & Le Chat Noir. "Precisely because of the contrast: Holland is neoclassical and technically and physically challenging, in Le Chat Noir I could really indulge myself as a fierce macho and the dance language is very earthy."

Efthimis Tsimageorgis

Romance

The diptych also creates romance: after one of the performances, his current boyfriend, a Dutch dancer and choreographer, comes to compliment him. Their relationship and the bond with family and friends is very important to Efthimis. "I love it when you can say anything to people, and don't have to watch your words."

He also does everything he can to stay healthy and fit, and loves cooking and good food. "Fortunately, despite my diabetes, I can take a lot: I dance off a chocolate bar in no time."

 

Photography: Khalid Amakran | Interview: Astrid van Leeuwen

This season featuring in

  • Vier vervreemdende personen in zwarte kleding tegen een donkerblauwe achtergrond

    Cathedral

    A wondrous journey into tomorrow's world and a search for what makes us human. A revival of the successful production by choreographer Marcos Morau.

Danced in a.o.

  • Vrouw in een zwart korset met blote armen en een grote gouden tooi op het hoofd in de vorm van de manen van een paard. Zij heeft haar armen sierlijk geheven alsof zij loopt. De achtergrond is goud met een geverfde cirkel.

    Oscar

    A tribute to Oscar Carré with dance, theatre, circus and live music by Blaudzun. With Oscar, artistic director Ed Wubbe bids farewell to Scapino after 30 years.
  • Beeld met vijf dansers die elkaar bij de armen vasthouden met een in het midden die probeert te ontsnappen. Tegen een oranje achtergrond met een geverfd kruis.

    Origin 2024

    For Origin, Ed Wubbe brings two extraordinary, international choreographers to The Netherlands: Xingxing Gong and Lior Tavori.
  • Man met vegen opgezocht zit op een bed in het bos en kijkt langs de camera. Op de achtergrond lopen een vrouw en een kind hand in hand.

    Song of the dark forest

    A moving, compelling and comforting performance, performed by the complete group of dancers of Scapino, an opera singer and live music by the DoelenEnsemble.
  • Vergrijsd-blauwe afbeelding met daarop twee personen met rood haar. De vrouw vooraan heeft een arm op haar heup en leunt naar achteren. Achter haar staat een man met zijn armen als pijl en boog.

    Two Tales

    Young emerging dance makers tell poignant stories with solid roots in the lore and customs of their native land.
  • Casablanca

    Casablanca

    Casablanca is a visual performance about passion, freedom and desire for a better world.
  • Vrouw in een zwart korset met blote armen en een grote gouden tooi op het hoofd in de vorm van de manen van een paard. Zij heeft haar armen sierlijk geheven alsof zij loopt. De achtergrond is goud met een geverfde cirkel.

    Oscar

    Carré en Scapino Ballet presenteren: Oscar, een hommage aan Oscar Carré met dans, theater, circus én live muziek van Blaudzun. Exclusief te zien in Carré.
  • Danser op een rode achtergrond met geverfde letter X. Hij draagt een zwarte glimmende top en strekt zijn armen uit richting de camera.

    The Square2

    Four young makers meet eachother in The Square2, a new full-length production of Scapino Ballet Rotterdam.
  • Casablanca

    Duplicate of Casablanca

    Casablanca is a visual performance about passion, freedom and desire for a better world.
  • Made in Rotterdam foto met twee dansers

    Made in Rotterdam

    Scapino Ballet Rotterdam presents four new works, performed and created by Scapino dancers.
  • NRJO Rite Here Rite Now

    Rite Here Rite Now

    A unique collaboration of the New Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra, LantarenVenster and Scapino Ballet Rotterdam.
  • Vier rechthoekken met daarin een deel van een menselijk lichaam, zodat zij samen een volledig danserslichaam vormen

    The Square Recordings

    Young makers go on an adventure in this online edition of The Square.
  • Leslie Humbert in The Great Bean

    The Great Bean

    Circus, illusionism, variety and dance: The Great Bean takes place in the atmosphere of the roaring twenties, the emergence of jazz, Hollywood and vaudeville.
  • The Blend

    The Blend

    Scapino starts the new season at the Van Nelle Fabriek, Rotterdam icon and world heritage monument.
  • Pearl

    Pearl

    World class dance, stunning costumes and mesmerising music by composers like Vivaldi.
  • Wit geschminkt persoon met zijn vingers om zijn snor

    Holland & Le Chat Noir

    The superb, theatrical dance of this captivating diptych transports audiences to the Golden Age and the Paris Revue. Two iconic pieces by choreographer Ed Wubbe in one program.