taZ CURTAIN UP 2026 – VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The “taZ – Curtain Up!” performances by the Zurich Dance Academy, presented on June 27 and 28 at Theater Winterthur and again on July 5 at Zurich Opera House, represent the performative highlight of the current graduating class and an important milestone in their professional training.
Annual productions such as these are equally indispensable components of the educational programs offered by the Centre de formation professionnelle arts in Geneva and the Musical Factory in Lucerne. While the Zurich Dance Academy showcases classical and contemporary dance through its annual performance format, CFP Arts Genève presents its “Spectacle de fin d'année,” (25 and 26 June 2026, Pavillon ADC) dedicated to contemporary dance. In contrast, Musical Factory Lucerne places the dance profession in the spotlight through its annual musical production (27 and 28 June 2026, Le Théâtre, Emmen), combining dance, singing, and acting.
These stage productions provide valuable insight into the high standards maintained by these training institutions. All three schools offer the federally recognized vocational program “Professional Stage Dancer with Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (EFZ),” a professional apprenticeship for dancers that has been in place since 2009. Together with the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and the cantons, Danse Suisse develops the foundations of this program and, as the Organization of the World of Work (OdA), ensures the quality of the training.
Since its introduction, the program has laid an important foundation for the professional recognition of dance as a profession.
Program, «taZ - Curtain Up! 2026» - Link
Program, «Spectacle de fin d’année» - «L’Escale» - Link
Program, Musical Factory – «Triple Threat» - Link
More information about the Danse Suisse EFZ Stage Dance Program - Link