Dance is connection
Lillian Stillwell works internationally as a freelance choreographer and is Dance Director and Chief Choreographer at Theater Münster in Germany.
She has choreographed dance evenings, interdisciplinary productions and operas throughout Europe since 2013. Most recently DIE SCHWÄNE, her “Swan Lake“ told from the female perspective, was received to great acclaim.
Her movement language uses classical ballet as a point of reference in a contemporary dance context that relies on humanity, authenticity and diversity. Music is the departure point for all of her works.
It is a dance piece that will be remembered. Not as a ‘modernisation’, but as a transfer of the classic into the present.
Miguel SchneiderDie deutsche Bühne | February 21, 2026 | on Die Schwäne 
With ‚Die Schwäne,‘ Lillian Stillwell brings the ballet classic ‚Swan Lake’ out of feudalism and into the democratic present.
Hanns Butterhoftanznetz.de | February 10, 2026 | on Die Schwäne 
We see an ensemble that skillfully alternates between pointe work, turns, high jumps, and individual bursts. [...] A rewarding take at a proven classic.
Sarah Heppekausen tanz Magazine | March 2026 | on Die Schwäne 
A magnificient, complete work of art.
Bettina Trouwborst tanz Magazine | April 2025 | on Jeanne d'Arc
A mix of aggression and closeness [...] showing how intimacy can turn into violence at any time. The resultis full of fascinatingly poetic images [...] a brilliantly conceived and danced piece.
Ralf DöringDie Deutsche Bühne | October 21, 2023 | on Oslo
Stillwell dives deep into the structure of the music with its contrasts [...]. What else can follow such harmonious choreography, danced by Ensemble Tanz Münster with its own impulses?
Harald SuerlandWestfälische Nachrichten | February 26, 2024 | on Sexes 
The performers follow the powerful gestures of the pieces with subtle, cautious, nuanced movements. It often seems as if everything is symbolic, regardless of whether we understand the meaning of these symbols.
A very enjoyable evening.
Markus HladekFrankfurter Rundschau | February 9, 2025 | on I Could Be The One 
Lillian Stillwell has put an exclamation point on the start of her era at Theater Münster with her enthusiastically received opening, creating a striking contrast to her equally unique and successful predecessors.
Harald SuerlandWestfälische Nachrichten | September 19, 2022 | on Furien
Of European ranking [...] effortlessly choreographed by Lillian Stillwell to fit the singers like a glove.
Opernwelt | 2020 
The music and movements are wonderfully related to each other. Their flowing character extends not only in individual dancers from their feet to their outstretched arms, but also spreads between them.
Hanns ButterhofTanznetz | March 2023 | on The Four Seasons
The two 'worlds' that Stillwell creates here do not actually exist spatially. Conceptually and dramaturgically, her approach is all the more interesting. The idea of letting death break into the moments of happiness in the club is as elusive as it is coherent.
Rico StehfestTanznetz | October 12, 2024 | on Afterlife, Afterlove, Afterdeath