DAN MASTACAN
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR - DIRECTOR - ACTOR

Dan Mastacan was born in Bucarest. He followed the usual school curriculum, then went to University and studied a variety of artistic disciplines (acting, dancing, piano, cello). His studies began in Bucarest and continued in Paris at the Sorbonne.

Musician he has played in a numerous concerts (Athénée at Bucarest, 1965) and recitals (Museum of Fine Arts, Bucarest, 1970). Dan was a musician in the Bucarest National High School for Music, and composed scores for the shows "Kir Zuliaridi", "Jeu de Fête" (Cologne, Germany), and for Television. He contributed to the musical collage for "Sarah, les yeux grand ouverts" (Paris Opera, Théâtre des Champs Elysées, 1988).

Dancer in the Bucarest National Theatre between 1966 and 1968, he danced in the Maisons de la Culture between 1965 and 1967, and made various television appearances in 1968.

Mime He presented six shows at the Students Culture Hall at Bucarest in 1970. He also presented a pantomine program inspired by the world of Brecht in two Bucarest Art Museums.

In 1972 Dan took part in the International Competition at Cologne, playing the part of the mime in "Le Boléro" by M. Ravel, choreography by Gigi Caciuleanu, which won first prize.

Actor Dan Mastacan has had considerable acting experience. After obtaining first prize in the theatrical competition in Bucarest (in the role of the poet, in "Life and death of the poet", by Rainer Maria Rilke, 1967) and first prize in the theatrical competition for young actors (playing the role of "Stephan" in "Le Jeu des Vacances" by M. Sebastian, 1967-68, he then played the leading role in several films.
- Julien in "L'Attente", a Romanian full length film by St. Ciubotarasu, 1970.
- "Les animaux malades", by Nicolas Breban, presented at Cannes in 1971 which received numerous favorable reviews.
-"Les Eaux Printanières", adapted from Tourgeniev, co-produced by ORTF-Paris and SWF-Baden-Baden, directed by V. Jasny, with Santa Berger, Claude Dauphin, ...
- Jean-Claude in "Prends la chose du bon côté", from J. Leitienne Productions, Paris, directed by H. Gérard, 1973.
- The Alsacien in "La mer … boire", a drama for TF1, Paris, directed by Ph. Ducrest, 1974.

In the theatre Dan Mastacan was the leading actor:
The blind man in "The Miser" by Pushkin,
Béranger in "Professional Killer" by E. Ionesco,
Puck and Lysander in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by W. Shakespeare,
Antony in "Julius Caesar" by W. Shakespeare.
Hamlet in "Hamlet" by Shakespeare in January 72
Polymas in Corneille's "La Place Royale" at the T.E.P. in Paris in 1973
He was Set Designer and Stage Director for "Le Silence de l'Amour" by Alain Leverrier at Rennes in 1983,
Did the same for the Théâtre Chorégraphique de Rennes, for "Danse et Paroles", adapted from a text by Freedman (Stage Direction by Gigi Caciuleanu),
in "Damnée Manon, sacrée Sandra" by Michel Tremblay
(Stage Direction, Marc Adam),
"Star" by Helmut Kazjar (Stage Direction Xavier Dôme),
"Adam + Eve et Co" (Th‚ƒtre TV- Maison de la Culture, Rennes, French tour).

Dan also worked as personal secretary to Pierre Cardin, Paris, in 1973/74.

Artistic Director he continued a career with:

"Pinocchio le rebelle" in 83
"Elle et moi" in 85
"Il trovatore" in 86
"Piazza Italia" in 87
"Rue de la Bastille" in 89
"Saxographie" in 89
"Le Livre ou le Sens de la Vie" in 1989, in Nürnberg
"Mozartissimo" in 90
"Oslkolki" in 1991
"La Folle de Chaillot" with Maïa Plissetskaïa (Paris - Tokyo - Moscow 1992)
In 1994 :"Pétrouchka" and "La Symphonie Fantastique" at l'Opéra Royal de Liège
In 1995 : "Acto" and "Lunaris" at Bat-Dor - Israël
In 1997/98 in Paris :
"No Man's Land"
"Dans sa Fuite Eléonore"
"Balle Masquée"
"Trilogo"

Artistic director and Business Manager (ASSECARM - Ministry of Arts) in 1977/78, for the Lorraine Ballet at the Grand Théâtre in Nancy. From 1978 to 1993 he was codirector at the Centre National Chorégraphique de Rennes et de Bretagne. He was Associate Director for the Company Ballet Théâtre Musical, A. Germain, Paris (1983), and for the Peter Goss Dance Company, Paris (1984). He was artistic advisor for the 1986/87/88 seasons at the Menagerie de Verre at Paris. He has succesfully fulfilled the role of public relations officer, lighting technician and stage designer ("Les Quatre Saisons" by Vivaldi), and continues to be an invited member on the jury for the "Conceptographie" competition (Ménagerie de Verre-Paris), and also for the Caen School of Dancing. He was the stage director of "La Folle de Chaillot".

Currently, Dan Mastacan continues his multiple artistic activities (actor, producer, musician, stage designer, program organizer, public relations, tours,...) He combines all these with his managing and directing responsabilities, at the National Company of Paris. In addition Dan is also invited as guest artist creator for staging in Israel, Nüremberg, Royal Opera House of Liege, and of course in Paris (Salle Pleyel, Café de la Danse, Espace Acteur..).