Internationally acclaimed director-choreographer-horseman Bartabas, 43, was born and raised in France, where he began his career at age 17 as a street entertainer. He and a few friends, including the woman whom he would later marry, formed the commedia dell'arte troupe Théâtre Emporte in 1976, later evolving into Cirque Aligre. In 1984 he created the equestrian Théâtre Zingaro, named for his own cherished horse.

The company found a permanent venue in the town of Aubervilliers, located just north of Paris, in 1989. There, Bartabas shares a nomadic universe of tents and stables with all the members of Théâtre Zingaro, including spouses, partners, children and horses.

Working with performers who join Théâtre Zingaro on its sojourns throughout the globe, Bartabas creates new productions that he calls "spectacles" inspired by his deep fascination with the relationship between man and horse as well as by the mixture of world cultures. Bartabas' first production, Cabaret équestre, enjoyed great success throughout France and established the company's devoted following. In 1996 Théâtre Zingaro made its United States debut with Chimère at New York's BAM Next Wave Festival. The company returned to New York in 1999 with a new production titled Eclipse.

Triptyk is Bartabas' latest creation for Théâtre Zingaro. In 2003, he plans to establish an equestrian academy at the old stables of the Chateau de Versailles to ensure the continuation of his troupe and its art.