Prof. Tan TEMEL

He graduated from the Department of Dance at Mimar Sinan University State Conservatory in 2000. In 2001, with a scholarship from the Merce Cunningham Dance School, he studied Cunningham Technique and participated in the rehearsals of the Cunningham Dance Company. Between 2003 and 2005, he worked as a dancer and instructor with the Cemal Reşit Rey Dance Company, founded by Geyvan McMillen. From 2005 to 2011, under the direction of McMillen, he continued his career as a founding member, dancer, and choreographer of the Istanbul Dance Theater Company.

In 2007, he received the “Best Choreography Award” at the International Chicago Dance Festival. In 2012, his choreography for the play Ben Bertolt Brecht by Dostlar Tiyatrosu was awarded the “Best Play of the Year” by the Theatre Critics Association of Turkey. In the same year, DOT Theatre’s Supernova, for which he served as choreographer, was honored with the “Special Jury Award” at the 17th Sadri Alışık Theatre and Cinema Acting Awards, as well as the “Best Production” Award at the 16th Yapı Kredi Afife Theatre Awards.

He completed his MFA in Theater and Dance at Case Western Reserve University in 2009 and earned his Doctorate in Art (Proficiency in Art) from the Yıldız Technical University Art and Design Program in 2014.

Currently, he continues his creative work with TORK Dance Company, which he founded. From 2010 to 2013, he served as Artistic Director and choreographer at L’O.ffcina Dance Company in Florence. Since 2011, he has been actively engaged with DOT Theatre productions as a choreographer, instructor, and performer. He is also a member of the curriculum development committee for the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) Diploma Program in Dance.

Since 2001, he has pursued his academic career at the Department of Music and Performing Arts, Faculty of Art and Design, Yıldız Technical University. He was awarded the title of Associate Professor in 2017 and Professor in 2018.

In 2021, with the support of the Istanbul Development Agency, he established CoArtS: Laboratory for Art and Science Research within Yıldız Technical University.