Carl Knif is a dancer, choreographer and artistic director and foun­der of Carl Knif Com­pa­ny. Knif has crea­ted nu­me­rous cho­reog­rap­hies for Carl Knif Company and car­ried out co-pro­duc­tions and com­mis­sio­ned works for theatres and dan­ce hou­ses alike.

“Dance and art give us unlimited opportunities to discover and learn, to see and be seen.”

– Carl Knif

CV

Carl-Johan Knif (b. 4.12.1976)
Dancer, choreographer, director
+358 40 508 0870

Education

1995 Vasa Övningsskola’s Upper Secondary School
1999 Bachelor’s in Dance, UniArt Helsinki’s Theatre Academy
2000 Master’s in Dance, UniArt Helsinki’s Theatre Academy

Carl Knif Company (CKC)

2012– Artistic director

Awards

2016 Sta­te Pri­ze for Per­for­ming Arts
2022 So­cie­ty of Swe­dish Li­te­ra­tu­re in Fin­land for the dra­ma­tur­gy of Ett drömspel
2025 SFV’s Cultural Award

Choreographer / director

Matching Steps (2025)
CKC

Aniara (2024)
Skånes Dansteater, Moomsteatern

I address you (2024)
CKC

BFCK (2024)
Carl Knif, Blaue Frau

Processen (2023)
Kulturhuset Stadsteatern

Var är smörgåsen? (2023)
The Royal Swedish Opera

Death in Venice (2023)
CKC, Oulu Theatre

Två duetter (2022)
CKC, DuvTeatern

Presidenterna (2022)
CKC, Espoo City Theatre

Vinterresa (2022)
Skånes Dansteater

Koivu ja tähti (2022)
Vaasa City Theatre

Matka (2022)
CKC

Sessions (2022)
CKC, Zodiak – Centre for New Dance

Ett drömspel (2021)
CKC, Svenska Teatern, Riksteatern

Fugue in Two Colors (2020)
CKC, Helsinki City Theatre

Tiloja / Avaruuksia (2020)
Dance Theatre Rimpparemmi

I det stora landskapet (2019)
DuvTeatern

Alice in Wonderland (2019)
Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth

At Once, in Helsinki (2018)
CKC, Kuopio Dance Festival, Dance Theatre Raatikko

The emotional life of a dog / what my father said (2016)
CKC, Zodiak – Centre for New Dance

Förvandlingen (2016)
Svenska Teatern

Friends of Dymphna (2015)
CKC, JoJo – Oulu Dance Centre

RED (2014)
CKC, Zodiak – Centre for New Dance

The Orchestra (2014)
Pori Dance Company

Mothertongue (2013) 
CKC, Finnish National Opera and Ballet

Claude glass (2011) 
Zodiak – Centre for New Dance

Hologram Walls (2010) 
Helsinki Festival

Mandorla (2009)
Jojo – Oulu Dance Centre

Tusen ord i sekunden (2008)
Svenska Kulturfonden

I helfigur framför (2007) 
Watt, Waasan alueen tanssitaiteilijat ry

Oktoberord (2007)
Vuotalo Helsinki

Varande/ färd (2003)
Zodiak – Centre for New Dance

En sällsam sång (2002) 
Interdans Vaasa

Dancer

Absent Presence, chor. Tero Saarinen (2011)
Tero Saarinen Company

Next of Kin, chor. Tero Saarinen (2008)
Tero Saarinen Company

Petrushka, chor. Tero Saarinen (2006)
Tero Saarinen Company

Westward Ho! chor. Tero Saarinen (2005)
Tero Saarinen Company

Human Imitations, chor. Jyrki Karttunen (2005)
Nomadi

Mestarietsivät, chor. Jenni Kivelä (2005)
Zodiak – Uuden tanssin keskus

Hän sanoi sen, concept Erkki Soininen (2005)

Borrowed Light, chor. Tero Saarinen (2004)
Tero Saarinen Company

Yellow Happiness, chor. Jyrki Karttunen (2004)
Nomadi

Juhlapäiviä, chor. Jenni Kivelä (2003)
Zodiak – Centre for New Dance

Myrsky, chor. Petri Kekoni (2003)
Zodiak – Centre for New Dance

Klein, chor. Mikko Orpana (2002)
KokoTeatteri

Vihreä Nojatuoli, chor. Petri Kekoni (2002)
Zodiak – Centre for New Dance

Kukkia – sidontaa, chor. Jenni Kivelä (2001)
Zodiak – Centre for New Dance

Huoneita, concept Erkki Soininen (2001)

Hobitti, chor. Marjo Kuusela (2001)
Finnish National Opera and Ballet

Kosketus, chor. Hanna Pajala (2001)
Zodiak – Centre for New Dance

Yönvartija, chor. Alpo Aaltokoski (2000)
Nomadi

Vesijohto, concept Erkki Soininen (2000)

Katso Eurooppa!, chor. Mikko Orpana (2000)
Zodiak – Centre for New Dance

Krakata, chor. Alpo Aaltokoski (2000)
Zodiak – Centre for New Dance