Ruochen Wang

Ruochen Wang

Thinking back, he really doesn't understand how he managed it, but at the time, Ruochen Wang did not question his militaristic-striking, Russian-oriented ballet training at the Guangdong Dance School. "I had only one goal and that was to become a dancer."

Ruochen is 11 when he arrives at the school in Guangzhou, an hour and a half's flight from his parents' home. Five years earlier, he attends his first boarding school, where he is introduced to dance during the extracurricular programme. His teacher recognised his talent and suggested a professional dance education. "I was immediately enthusiastic. Dancing all day? Why not! My parents had a hard time with it though. Their only child even further from home? And what could you do with dance training at all, was there any way you could earn a living?"

Special thanks to: Nieuwe Luxor Theater // Video by Iris Hendriks

Culture shock

Six years later, Ruochen was accepted at the Guangzhou Ballet. He was soon offered great roles in Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and La Bayadère, but Ruochen had his doubts. "I'm small, I don't have the ideal ballet body. What would my chances be? I didn't want to put all my energy into something that could only happen.

After dancing professionally for three years, he applied for the modern dance programme at The Hong Kong School of Performing Arts. "A huge shock: the huge crowds in Hong Kong, the Western life, the English language." When the school is invited to perform in Monte-Carlo, another culture shock follows: Ruochen is offered a contract in Graz. Later, he also dances in Brussels and Basel.

Ruochen Wang

If you are curious, there is so much to discover.

 

Freedom

In Basel, he meets Ed Wubbe, who is rehearsing his production Holland there. "We immediately had a good chemistry. Since I left China, I have been looking for the freedom to express myself through dance, and Ed gives me that space like no other. He challenges you not only to keep exploring physically, but also theatrically and emotionally. For me, that is extremely valuable.

Every new creation is a highlight, because I learn and experience new things every time. Curiosity is important to him anyway. "If you're curious, there's so much to discover, and that's what life's about, otherwise you quickly become a kind of robot."

Curriculum Vitae

Born
1988, Xiamen, China

Eduction
- Guangdong Dance School, China
- The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Hongkong

Previously danced at
- Guangzhou Ballet, China
- Ballett Oper Graz, Oostenrijk
- Compagnie THOR, België
- Ballett Theater Basel, Zwitserland-

With Scapino since
2016

Performed in (i.a.)
TING!, Pablo, New Adventures, Scala, All hands on deck, The Great Bean, Cathedral, Casablanca, The Square2, Oscar

Ruochen Wang

At home

Photography fascinates him - "I like to capture the moment" - and during the coronal shockdown he started taking pottery classes for the first time. "That's like meditating for me." He does not yet have any concrete plans for after his dancing career - "hopefully that will take some time" - but he would like to combine all his interests in a next challenge.

When he first moved to Europe, he never thought of going back to his homeland, but now he is more interested in what his roots mean to him and he likes the idea of living half in China and half in Europe. "Because of corona, I have not been home for three years. Being at home on my island (Xiamen - ed.) means that I can recharge my batteries. The wonderful weather, my own language, the food, the smells, the whole package that makes you realise: I am home again."

 

Photography: Khalid Amakran | Interview: Astrid van Leeuwen

Ruochen Wang

My parents don't really understand what I do as a dancer, but as long as they know I'm happy, that's enough for them.

This season featuring in

  • 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

    For Origin, Ed Wubbe brings two extraordinary, international choreographers to The Netherlands: Xingxing Gong and Lior Tavori.
  • 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.

Danced in a.o.

  • 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.
  • Intertwine

    Intertwine

    A surprising encounter between the dance of Justin de Jager and the art of Alexander Calder. Stream Intertwine on Scapino's streaming platform.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Een leeg theater met op het podium 2 trompettisten

    Music in Motion

    The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and Scapino Ballet Rotterdam have joined forces for a new video project: Music in motion.
  • Pearl

    Pearl

    World class dance, stunning costumes and mesmerising music by composers like Vivaldi.
  • Cathedral campagnebeeld

    Cathedral

    Accompanied by the spiritual music of Arvo Pärt, pure as a heartbeat, Cathedral asks us to reflect on the nature of existence.
  • TOF!

    TOF! at the Parade

    Coming home to a place that never changes. Where you can be yourself and where things are good. With that ideal in mind, seven dancers begin their journey.
  • Zes personen in maritieme kleding staand in een stalen raam als van een schip

    All Hands on Deck

    Scapino and Släpstick (formerly know as Wëreldbänd) bring out the best in each other with superb combinations of dance, physical comedy, slapstick, music and theatre.
  • twools_headerweb.jpg

    TWOOLS 18

    TWOOLS 18 appears to be the last in the series. It is a worthy finale with world premieres by choreographers Ryan Djojokarso, Joeri Dubbe and Maciej Kuzminski.
  • TING! | choreografie Ed Wubbe (foto Eric Fecken)

    TING!

    Dance, music and circus come together on and above a rotating arena to create an enchanting spectacle.
  • Made in Rotterdam

    Made in Rotterdam

    Scapino Ballet Rotterdam presents four new works, performed and created by Scapino dancers.
  • Vier personen in kleurrijke kleding op een donker podium

    Made in Rotterdam

    Scapino Ballet Rotterdam presents six new works, danced and created by Scapino dancers.
  • Pablo campagnebeeld

    Pablo

    Pablo is an exciting spectacle with dance, theater and orchestra inspired by the lifetime of Spanish artist Pablo Picasso.
  • TING! duet Bonnie en Mischa

    TING!

    Dance, music and circus come together on and above a rotating arena to create an enchanting spectacle.