Unleash Your Inner Dancer: Meet The Choreographers Behind Madonna’s Epic Show!

As a specialist in the American and international music industry, I am excited to share with you that the contemporary dance collective from Marseille, (La)Horde, has been selected by popstar Madonna to choreograph eight songs for her “Celebration Tour” and to oversee the artistic direction of the show, which kicked off in London at the beginning of October.

For her Celebration Tour, Madonna has enlisted the talents of French choreographers, specifically the Marseille-based contemporary dance collective, (La)Horde. Consisting of Arthur Harel, Marine Brutti, and Jonathan Debrouwer, this collective, often in charge of the National Ballet of Marseille, has choreographed eight songs for the Celebration Tour, including iconic hits like Papa Don’t Preach, Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, and Ray of LightParisien, the collective expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to work with such a pop culture icon, saying, “For such an icon of pop culture, it’s quite a risk to work with us for the first time.” They also humbly mentioned their previous work with artists like Chris and Sam Smith.

The collaboration between (La)Horde and Madonna began when the star contacted the collective through Instagram in December 2022. The group was in New York at the time, preparing for Sam Smith’s performance on “Saturday Night Live,” and Madonna invited them to her home. According to (La)Horde, the star spent four hours presenting her vision for the show, demonstrating an incredible level of trust in the collective from the start.

After four months of rehearsals in New York the following summer, which included global dancer auditions and two months of studio work with Madonna and her dancers, (La)Horde was able to bring the star’s ambitious vision to life.

One of the young talents chosen from the auditions, 21-year-old Isaïa Badaoui, was selected to perform four dances in the show, following two months of rehearsals in a concert hall where the technical aspects, including lighting, costumes, and visual creation, were meticulously refined.

Describing Madonna as an “ardent worker,” the collective commends her ability to maintain openness during the creative process, saying, “Madonna knows what she wants but remains open. When we propose an idea, a concept, a movement, and she is convinced, she validates it.”

Although none of the members of (La)Horde were born during Madonna’s early years on stage in the 1980s, they acknowledge her role in delivering messages of tolerance, openness, and respect for the LGBTQIA+ community, which has empowered them to have confidence in themselves. They express their gratitude by stating, “She has opened doors for us, and we owe her a great deal.”

Finally, (La)Horde commends Madonna’s unwavering dedication to staying current and her interest in the diverse and creative French dance scene, from urban voguing to contemporary ballet. They conclude, “She is involved 100%, always in touch with her time. She asks for recommendations from her most loyal dancers and takes a specific interest in the French scene, which is very creative and multicultural.”

Thus, it is clear that through her collaboration with (La)Horde, Madonna has proven that her impact on the music and dance industry is as relevant and pioneering as ever.