Malick Cissé
Malick Cissé has been nominated for the Swan Award for Most Impressive Dance Achievement 2026 for his role in FRANK by Cherish Menzo (GRIP & Theater Utrecht in collaboration with Dance On Ensemble).
Jury about the nomination
"When Malick Cissé appears in FRANK, something happens in the audience. He conveys a layered mix of emotions—ranging from restrained anger to sardonic delight—and captures the audience’s attention. With powerful facial expressions and controlled energy, he lays bare the pain and resistance to dehumanization. Consciously and masterfully, he plays with the facets of his presence that could be exploited for dehumanization. Malick Cissé makes the audience feel just how deeply that frame has been internalized."
About Malick Cissé
Malick began dancing while studying languages at the University of Rennes in France. After a year at the regional conservatory and training within the hip-hop community, he was admitted to the CNDC (National Center for Contemporary Dance) in Angers. His approach to movement lies at the intersection of hip-hop, physical theater, and contemporary dance techniques. He performs as a dancer, but also collaborates with visual artists in other performance spaces. He complements his approach to dance with DJing, focusing on the blending of genres and rhythms. In 2024, he co-founded “Shelter,” a platform through which he develops research and projects in the fields of dance, music, and transmission.
“When this dancer appears, something happens in the audience. He evokes a complex mix of emotions and captures everyone’s attention. With powerful facial expressions and controlled energy, he lays bare the pain of—and resistance to—dehumanization. Through his deliberate and masterful performance, he makes the audience feel just how deeply that framework has been internalized.”