Yvonne Sembene began her artistic training at the Berlin Dance Institute in contemporary dance before turning her attention to choreography and stage direction. She joined the Paris National Opera Academy in September 2025, where she took part in several opera productions as an assistant director. She worked on Claus Guth’s *La Bohème* as well as on new productions of Ralph Fiennes’ *Eugene Onegin* and *La Finta Giardiniera*, directed by Julie Delille. In June 2026, she led the directing workshop *Lulu,Lucretia, Carmen, Medea… Memories of Women* with the artists in residence at the Academy.
She also collaborates with several institutions in Germany, notably the Kampnagel in Hamburg, the Sophiensaele, the Tanzfabrik and the Ballhaus Ost in Berlin, where she presented the pieces *OutBurningIn*, *CA$HBABY* and *She Shanty*. She also created a choreographed piece for the SOLD company at the Freiburg Theatre as well as a performance for the *Nearly Close Enough to Kiss* festival at the Theater Neben dem Turm. In 2025, she served as assistant director on *Tosca* at the Hesse Theatre in Wiesbaden.
Yvonne is continuing her residency at the Paris Opera Academy for the 2026/2027 season. In spring 2027, Yvonne Sembene will assist Barrie Kosky with his new production of *Porgy and Bess* at the Opernkomödie in Berlin and subsequent tour across Europe.
She also collaborates with several institutions in Germany, notably the Kampnagel in Hamburg, the Sophiensaele, the Tanzfabrik and the Ballhaus Ost in Berlin, where she presented the pieces *OutBurningIn*, *CA$HBABY* and *She Shanty*. She also created a choreographed piece for the SOLD company at the Freiburg Theatre as well as a performance for the *Nearly Close Enough to Kiss* festival at the Theater Neben dem Turm. In 2025, she served as assistant director on *Tosca* at the Hesse Theatre in Wiesbaden.
Yvonne is continuing her residency at the Paris Opera Academy for the 2026/2027 season. In spring 2027, Yvonne Sembene will assist Barrie Kosky with his new production of *Porgy and Bess* at the Opernkomödie in Berlin and subsequent tour across Europe.