Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé
Compagnie DCA is a French independent contemporary dance company founded in 1983, creating and touring original productions that blend choreography, video, and live music for theaters, festivals, and international commissioners, and operating the La Chaufferie residency venue in Saint-Denis.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersSaint-Denis, France
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé does
Compagnie DCA, founded in 1983 by choreographer Philippe Decouflé, is a French independent contemporary dance company headquartered at La Chaufferie, a 700m² purpose-converted former thermal plant in Saint-Denis occupied since 1993. The company creates and tours original dance and theater productions, with a creative signature that fuses choreography, video design, live music, lighting, and set design into what is termed "découfleries." Its core products include full-evening Shows (e.g., ENTRE-TEMPS premiered 2025, Stéréo 2022, Contact 2014, Shazam 1998), participatory Happenings (Extra Bal 2026), large-scale Commissions (Hard-Boiled Wonderland for HoriPro Inc., Cirque du Soleil's Iris and Paramour, Olympic ceremonies), Exhibitions of interactive installations, choreographic Films, and a direct-to-consumer Shop selling vinyls, CDs, DVDs, and books. La Chaufferie also functions as a residency venue hosting approximately 28 emerging and established dance companies annually, and the company runs territorial outreach programs engaging Seine-Saint-Denis schools and communities.
The company reaches audiences through two principal go-to-market motions: touring production bookings with French scènes nationales and international presenters (London Barbican, Théâtre du Châtelet, Biennale de Lyon), and a direct-to-consumer shop sold via email order. Revenue is dominated by recurring public subsidies from DRAC Île-de-France, Région Île-de-France, Département Seine-Saint-Denis, Ville de Saint-Denis, and Caisse des Dépôts, supplemented by touring and performance fees, co-production contributions from partner theaters, commissions from corporate and international clients (Hermès International, Paris 2024, HoriPro Inc., Japan Creator Support Fund), corporate sponsorships, and a small merchandise operation. Distribution is global across France, the UK, and Japan, with named institutional customers concentrated in the public performing-arts sector.
The business is non-profit, artist-led, and not publicly traded. Compagnie DCA has no disclosed parent company, private equity backing, or external venture investment; creative control rests with the founder. Headcount stands at 32, with named senior leadership including Artistic Director Philippe Decouflé, Executive Director Frank Piquard, Technical Director Begoña Garcia Navas, and stage/venue management led by Antoine Cherix. The company's international reputation was established by Decouflé's direction of the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies and has been sustained through four decades of touring, a continuously refreshed production slate, and a network of long-term creative collaborators.
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé
- Legal name
- Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé
- Website
- https://cie-dca.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Compagnie DCA is a French independent contemporary dance company founded in 1983, creating and touring original productions that blend choreography, video, and live music for theaters, festivals, and international commissioners, and operating the La Chaufferie residency venue in Saint-Denis.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Contemporary Dance Theater
- NAICS
- Dance Companies (71112), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)
Keywords
Where Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint-Denis
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Public subsidies and grants: The company is an independent dance company subsidized by Ministry of Culture (DRAC Île-de-France), Département de Seine-Saint-Denis, and Ville de Saint-Denis. Since 2022, additional support from Région Île-de-France and Caisse des Dépôts for residency and territorial activities.
- Touring and performance fees: Revenue from touring productions booked by theaters and festivals. ENTRE-TEMPS has extensive 2026-2027 tour schedule across France and internationally.
- Merchandise sales: Direct sales of vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, and books related to productions. Products include Stéréo vinyl (16€), Shazam CDs (15€), Pierre-Jean Verbaeken book (20€), and Shazam DVD (15€).
- Commissions: The company creates commissioned works for external clients. Hard-Boiled Wonderland is produced by HoriPro Inc. with support from Japan Creator Support Fund.
- Co-production partnerships: Joint production arrangements with theaters and festivals that provide upfront production funding in exchange for performance rights.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Vinyl record - Stéréo show music |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CD - Shazam version 2.0.2.1 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CD - Contact original music |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Book - Pierre-Jean Verbaeken tribute book |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | DVD - Shazam! (1998) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Compagnie DCA is an independent dance company that creates, produces, and tours original contemporary dance-theater shows, participatory happenings, and large-scale commissioned works (e.g., Olympic ceremonies, Cirque du Soleil). It operates La Chaufferie, a creation and residency venue in Saint-Denis hosting emerging dance companies, and develops territorial socio-artistic programs engaging local schools and communities. A boutique sells related merchandise such as soundtracks, recordings, and commemorative books.
Product overview
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé is a French contemporary dance and theater company offering a portfolio of live performance products: full-evening Shows (Spectacles) featuring original choreography, participatory Happenings such as dance karaoke experiences, large-scale Commissioned Works for international clients (Olympic ceremonies, Cirque du Soleil), visual Exhibitions with interactive installations, and choreographic Films. The company operates La Chaufferie, a 700m² creation and residency venue in Saint-Denis hosting approximately 28 dance companies annually, and develops Territorial Projects engaging Seine-Saint-Denis communities through workshops and participatory events. A Boutique offers related merchandise including soundtracks and documentation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Shows (Spectacles) Professional contemporary dance/theater productions created and toured by Compagnie DCA, including full-evening works such as ENTRE-TEMPS, Stéréo, Contact, Octopus, and historical repertoire pieces dating back to 1983. Targeted at theaters, festivals, and cultural venues.
- Happenings (Performances) Participatory and immersive performance experiences including Extra Bal (dance karaoke), Écran total, and site-specific works that engage audiences as active participants. Targeted at festivals and venues seeking audience-involving formats.
- Commissioned Works (Commandes) Large-scale productions commissioned by external organizations, including Olympic ceremonies, Cirque du Soleil productions (Iris, Paramour), film festivals, and corporate events. Targeted at international producers and event organizers.
- Exhibitions Visual art exhibitions featuring interactive installations and optical devices such as Planète(s) Decouflé, Les opticons, Le kronofoto, and other multimedia installations developed by the company. Targeted at galleries, museums, and cultural institutions.
- Films Dance films and music videos produced by the company, including works for New Order and Fine Young Cannibals and original choreographic films such as La voix des légumes and Codex-film. Targeted at broadcasters, festivals, and music labels.
- La Chaufferie Residency Program A creation and residency venue in Saint-Denis offering residencies to emerging and established dance companies, with a 200m² stage, 80m² dance studio, and technical facilities. Hosts approximately 28 companies annually, including the Accueils-Studio program for young Île-de-France companies.
- Territorial Projects Socio-artistic collaborations in Seine-Saint-Denis involving workshops, participatory events, and educational programs reaching approximately 800 participants annually across schools, community centers, and cultural institutions. Targeted at local public-sector partners.
- Shop (Boutique) Online store selling merchandise related to the company's productions, including vinyl records (Stéréo soundtrack at 16€), CDs (Shazam at 15€), DVDs (Shazam! at 15€), and a commemorative book about Pierre-Jean Verbaeken's set designs (20€). Targeted at dance enthusiasts and collectors.
Quantifiable outcome
- 800+ participants engaged in 2022 territorial workshops; 387 participants in 2024
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- HoriPro Inc.majorJapanese production company producing Hard-Boiled Wonderland, a commission adapting Haruki Murakami's novel for stage with Japanese creative team and international cast.
- Les Nuits de FourvièremajorMajor Lyon festival that commissioned Extra Bal, a participatory dance karaoke experience by Philippe Decouflé.
- Agence Plan BeycorePress relations agency handling media coverage and communications for the company.
- Espace 1789minorCultural venue in Saint-Denis providing co-production support for companies hosted at La Chaufferie.
- Rencontres Chorégraphiques Internationales de Seine-Saint-DenisminorAnnual international dance festival in Seine-Saint-Denis, partnering with La Chaufferie for residencies.
- Danse DenseminorDance network organization providing co-production support for emerging companies hosted at La Chaufferie.
- Danse ÉlargieminorDance festival/organization providing co-production support for companies at La Chaufferie.
- Théâtre de la Cité InternationaleminorParis theater providing co-production support for companies hosted at La Chaufferie.
- Pôle Cirque d'Antony – L'AzimutminorCircus arts center providing co-production support for companies at La Chaufferie.
- Initiatives d'Artistes en Danses Urbaines – La VilletteminorUrban dance initiative at La Villette providing co-production support for companies at La Chaufferie.
- L'Étoile du NordminorCultural venue providing co-production support and partnering for residencies at La Chaufferie.
- La Ménagerie de VerreminorParis venue partnering with La Chaufferie for residencies (Donata D'Urso, Helena de Laurens).
- StudioD (Atelier de Paris)minorParis dance center providing Emergence program support for residencies at La Chaufferie (Collectif Les Idoles, Simon Feltz).
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Compagnie Maguy Marin: Independent French contemporary dance company of similar scale and public-subsidy structure, creating original touring productions and operating its own creative venue (Maison de la Danse in Créteil). Most directly comparable in business model to Compagnie DCA.
- Ballet Preljocaj: Angelin Preljocaj's Pavillon Noir-based company in Aix-en-Provence is the closest peer in scale, subsidy mix (DRAC + Région), and international touring footprint. Both companies pair signature choreographic style with purpose-built infrastructure.
- Compagnie Käfig / Mourad Merzouki: French hip-hop-influenced dance company operating from a dedicated venue in Lyon with similar DRAC/Région funding and touring circuits. Comparable in mixing theatrical spectacle with popular-culture references.
- Compagnie Carolyn Carlson: French-resident dance company led by a single founding choreographer with comparable public funding profile, dedicated creative base, and touring repertoire model. Highly comparable in founder-centric identity and subsidy structure.
- Compagnie Montalvo-Hervieu: José Montalvo and Dominique Hervieu's company blends multimedia, dance, and digital imagery in a manner structurally similar to Decouflé's hybrid aesthetic. Comparable in artistic profile and French public-funding mix.
- Compagnie 111 / Aurélien Bory: French contemporary dance company fusing circus, theater, and visual arts with public subsidy funding. Comparable artistic crossover positioning and international touring profile, though slightly smaller scale.
Broad incumbents
- Batsheva Dance Company: Larger and more established international contemporary dance company with similar founder-artistic-director identity (Ohad Naharin), state-level public funding, and global touring circuits — but at greater scale and longer touring seasons.
- Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT): Larger institutional contemporary dance company with multi-choreographer repertoire and significant public funding. Comparable in artistic ambition and touring scale but operates at substantially larger budget and headcount than DCA.
- Cirque du Soleil: Decouflé has choreographed for Cirque du Soleil (Iris, Paramour), making it a thematic peer and former commissioner. Far larger scale and commercial orientation, but overlapping in multimedia spectacle and large-format touring productions.
Others
- La Villette: Major Parisian cultural venue that is both a co-production partner and presenter of DCA's work. Functions as a structural enabler/peer in the French contemporary dance ecosystem rather than a competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé social profiles
Digital presenceCompagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé
What does Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé do?
Compagnie DCA is an independent dance company that creates, produces, and tours original contemporary dance-theater shows, participatory happenings, and large-scale commissioned works (e.g., Olympic ceremonies, Cirque du Soleil). It operates La Chaufferie, a creation and residency venue in Saint-Denis hosting emerging dance companies, and develops territorial socio-artistic programs engaging local schools and communities. A boutique sells related merchandise such as soundtracks, recordings, and commemorative books.
Is Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé a public or private company?
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé founded?
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé was founded in 1983.
Where is Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé based?
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé is headquartered in Saint-Denis, France, in the Europe region.
How does Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Public subsidies and grants are the primary driver. The others are touring and performance fees, merchandise sales, commissions and co-production partnerships.
Who are Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Compagnie Maguy Marin, Ballet Preljocaj, Compagnie Käfig / Mourad Merzouki, Compagnie Carolyn Carlson, Compagnie Montalvo-Hervieu and Compagnie 111 / Aurélien Bory. Broad incumbents are Batsheva Dance Company, Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) and Cirque du Soleil. La Villette is listed as an others.
Does Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé have an API?
No public API is recorded for Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé.
What industry is Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé in?
Compagnie DCA / Philippe Decouflé's product category is Contemporary Dance Theater. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAM, Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking). Its NAICS code is 71112 and its SIC code is 7990.