What is
b12 Mavericks

...time and space to ask what comes next—and the freedom to change your answer along the way. you will work closely with internationally active choreographers, teachers and mentors, build meaningful connections and repeatedly bring your work into performance.

 

you will train, research and perform—but you will also question, fail, rethink, collide, connect and begin again. come prepared to leave something behind. the longer you stay, the more accessible the program becomes—rewarding your commitment and giving you more time to push your work further.

 

not ready to decide? start with one module. if you want to continue, you can join another module later, depending on availability. each module brings together workshops, artistic research, creative processes, mentorship, community exchange and opportunities to perform.

 

at b12 mavericks, research does not stop when you enter the stage. you investigate, create, collaborate, perform, reflect—and begin again. your work develops through a constant exchange between questions and action, between the studio and the stage.

 

whether you stay for three months or the full academic year, b12 mavericks gives you a supportive space to take risks, challenge yourself and grow.

 

each module is a complete artistic journey of its own. together, the three modules create one intense and connected academic year.

be part of many
Performances

this is not just training. this is performance.

 

at b12 mavericks, you do not spend months preparing for a single final presentation. performance is part of the entire journey.

 

you work with many internationally renowned choreographers through extended creative processes—giving you the rare opportunity to go beyond learning material quickly. you have time to investigate, question, contribute and become an active part of how the work develops.

 

the performances happen in different settings. some take place in a theatre, with a professional stage, lighting and an audience. others happen in the studio, where the space is closer, more immediate and open to experimentation. each setting asks something different of you as a performer.

 

depending on how many modules you join, you can take part in more than eight and up to 24 performances throughout your b12 mavericks journey. you do not simply rehearse the work.

 

you live with it and you perform it—again and again.

b12 Festival

the b12 festivals

b12 brings contemporary dance and performance art to berlin through three festivals: b12 spring, b12 summer and b12 fall. as a b12 mavericks participant, you are not simply visiting these festivals—they become part of your artistic journey.

each festival is a temporary home for artistic research, experimentation and exchange. internationally renowned choreographers, emerging voices and curious performers come together for intensive workshops, creative processes, performances, open studios and conversations.

selected festival workshops are already built into the b12 mavericks curriculum. alongside them, you have the freedom to shape your own experience. with your personal b12 mavericks voucher, you can choose additional festival workshops or performance projects that are not part of the regular curriculum. depending on your choice, the voucher covers the cost either fully or partially.

b12 summer is the largest gathering. every year, around 700 participants from across the world meet in berlin, while 2,000 audience members experience up to 24 performances. over the years, b12 has welcomed participants from more than 50 countries and artists and teachers from around 30 countries—creating a truly international community that reaches far beyond the festival itself.

you can spend your days researching in the studio and your evenings discovering performances by established artists, new voices and fellow participants. you follow the core program—but you also choose where your curiosity takes you next.

at b12, the studio and the stage are deeply connected. ideas are tested, bodies are challenged and unexpected encounters open up new possibilities.

b12 is not about repeating what already exists. it is about questioning it—and discovering what could come next.

b12 is going in January online with it's new line-up of teachers and choreographers.

Certification of attendance

your time at b12 mavericks is more than a series of classes. it is a period of intense artistic research, creative exchange, collaboration and performance—and that commitment deserves to be recognised.

after successfully completing your chosen module or the full academic year, you can request an official b12 mavericks certificate of participation. it documents the duration and scope of your journey and confirms your active involvement in workshops, artistic research, creative processes, rehearsals and performances.

the certificate becomes a lasting record of the work you have done, the experience you have gained and the artistic commitment you have shown. you can add it to your professional portfolio, CV and future applications as evidence of your continued development within an international contemporary dance and performance environment.

to receive your certificate, you are expected to take an active and reliable part in the program. attendance at all performances and essential rehearsals is required. showing up matters—to your artistic process, to the people you work with and to the work you create together.

Other events

being an artist takes more than artistic talent. you also need to understand how to build a life around your work.

that is why b12 mavericks includes a series of practical how-to workshops. an immigration lawyer explains how to apply for an artist visa and helps you understand the process. two working artists share honest insights into how they make a living in berlin. and an experienced grant writer shows you how to turn your ideas into a strong funding application.

you also take part in our popular dance-on-camera workshop. here, you learn the essentials of working with a camera, filming movement and editing your own material—practical tools that help you document, present and rethink your work.

during b12 summer, even more doors open. you can experience free performances and film screenings, meet artists from around the world and discover additional workshops, projects and opportunities throughout the festival.

the stage is only one part of an artist’s life. b12 mavericks helps you navigate the rest.

in short: there is a lot to explore.

encounter your
community

...community of artists who learn, create, perform, and grow together.

 

Over three, six, or nine months, you'll build meaningful connections, exchange ideas, discover new perspectives, and develop relationships that often continue long after the program ends.

 

Many participants describe Mavericks not only as an educational experience, but as a turning point in their artistic journey. The experience evolves with time. Participants who stay for multiple modules often discover new layers of artistic confidence, creative independence, and professional connection as they move through the year.

 

Berlin becomes an extension of the learning experience. The city offers access to performances, exhibitions, creative spaces, and one of Europe's most dynamic dance communities.

test 1 (en)

Berlin experience

this is your
schedule

your schedule

 

each module moves between training, artistic exploration, creation and festival life. you build new tools in classes and workshops, then put them into practice through intensive creative processes.

 

module 1

week 1 — classes and workshops
weeks 2–3 — b12 fall
weeks 4–5 — instant composition project
weeks 6–8 — classes and workshops
weeks 9–12 — creative process

 

 

module 2

weeks 1–3 — classes and workshops
weeks 4–6 — creative process
week 7 — b12 spring
week 8 — classes and workshops
weeks 9–12 — creative process

 

 

module 3

 

weeks 1–2 — classes and workshops
weeks 3–6 — creative process
weeks 7–8 — classes and workshops
weeks 9–12 — b12 summer

 

each module has its own rhythm. together, they create a journey from exploration to creation—and from the studio to the stage.

performances to watch

application form