Mgr. Kateřina Dedková – Franková
She graduated from the Dance department of the Prague Conservatory in 1974 and the Academy of Music Arts in Prague – dance department in 1992. During 1974–76 she worked in the Ballet of National Theatre Prague (Skočná in Prodaná nevěsta, Zajíc in Špalíček). After that she became a soloist of the dance company of Pavel Šmok in Městská divadla pražská (Prague Town Theatres) (1976–80, as of 1980 holding a title Prague Chamber Ballet, from 1992 also the re-established title Balet Praha, as of 2000 again PKB (Prague Chamber Ballet), which 2003 became part of the State Opera Prague). Kateřina Franková was the soloist dancer in Šmok choreographies. After a five years of break she returned in 1997 to the company as a soloist, assistant and ballet master and choreographer. She belonged to the performing leaders of drama dances of the entire post-ware era.
Her dance creations were characterised by perfect blending of motion and acting expression from lyrical parts all the way to expressive, dramatic and psychologically approached parts (Listy důvěrné, 1976; Americký kvartet, 1977; 3. smyčcový kvartet L. Janáčka, 1978; Z mého života, 1983; Žena ve Zjasněné noci, 1987; Vdova in Holoubek, 1992; Kostelnička in Po zarostlém chodníčku, 1998 etc.).
She cooperated with Laterna magika, in National Theatre in Prague she studied in 1995 a Šmok choreography Americká kvarteta and she assisted to Pavel Šmok while directing Prodaná nevěsta (1993). In TV she filmed many dance roles, for example a Princess in story tale Pohádka o Honzovi, Princess in Příběh vojáka, Nevěsta in Svatba, a title roles in Slavíkov, Pastýřka in Pastýřka and kominíček, Černá královna in Alenka v říši divů. Choreography talent discovered and cultured in her by Pavel Šmok she demonstrated for example in Valčíce and Humoresky and Česká svita of Antonín Dvořák (1986), together with Pavel Šmok in Po zarostlém chodníčku (1998), in Smetana Z domoviny (1999). She collaborated with Theatre of F. X. Šalda in Liberec in ballet Coppélia (music L. Delibes).
For the role in Zjasněné noci a proze of the Czech Literature Fond was awarded to her (1988) and she became the holder of Národní cena ČSR (National award of Czech-Slovakian Republic) (1989). She is a ballet master of Prague Chamber Ballet. Kateřina Franková is as of 2003 a member of a ballet jury of Acting Association for awarding Cena Thálie.