Nelly Bütikofer

Nelly Bütikofer trained from 1972 to 1976 with Frédéric Stebler at the Grande Ecole de Danse and with Annemarie Parekh in Bern, as well as with Armin Wild in Zurich. Under the direction of Jean Deroc, she subsequently became a member of the Swiss Chamber Ballet ensemble in Zurich (1976–1979). During this period, she ran her own ballet school in Zurich (1976–1984). From 1981 onwards, Bütikofer worked as a freelance dancer and choreographer, founding her first group, Dance Art Ensembles, in 1982. This was followed in 1985 by Tanztheater Nelly Bütikofer, which toured its productions with a shifting cast of members. In 1995, she renamed the company Fasson-Theater, marking an increased focus on theatrical work. In 1987, she served as a board member of the Swiss Association of Dancers and Choreographers (SVTC), and from 1991 to 1994 she was a member of the City of Zurich's Dance Commission.

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During the 1994/95 season, Bütikofer was part of the management team at the Theater Depot Hardturm. From 2003, she headed the newly founded Fabriktheater at the Alte Fabrik cultural centre in Rapperswil. In 2019, she received the Recognition Award from the City of St. Gallen.