" I am here as an observer. I stand on the other side of the stage. I came to be together with the other artists. Here I can encounter myself, far away from home."
(Diogo Bo from Brazil, grant-holder 2010)
Within the context of SHARED SPACES, the extended grant is a non-academic training programme for young theatre makers. These include the author Dalia Taha from Ramallah, the choreographer Djodjo Kazadi from Kinshasa, the performer Dorine Mokha from Lubumbashi, Michael Kranixfeld, a student from Hildesheim, the director Vishnupad Barve from Goa, as well as the theatre maker Zhao Chuan from Shanghai. Together they will participate in an unusual experience in 2013. Before coming to the Festival Theaterformen in Hanover they will travel to the Connexion Kin Festival in Kinshasa. There they will attend all of the performances, will meet the artists, discuss and share ideas, accompanied by experienced theatre mentors. An expansion of horizons for tomorrow's theatre!
Within the framework of SHARED SPACES sponsored by the Kulturstiftung des Bundes
Simon Allemeersch - Belgium
Simon Allemeersch (*1980) studied English and Dutch Linguistics and Literature at the University of Leuven and theatre directing at the RITS School of Arts in Brussels. Since 2006, he has been working for theatre companies and art centres in Belgium and abroad mainly producing own work. In the last two years, after a long autonomous residency and exchange project with a neighbourhood in Ghent, his themes have focused on story telling within cities, gentrification, economy and poverty. His most recent theatre performance was about Saint Christopher. Currently, Simon Allemeersch is preparing a theatre performance for the KVS, created in a shop in a street in Brussels..
Simon Allemeersch (*1980) studied English and Dutch Linguistics and Literature at the University of Leuven and theatre directing at the RITS School of Arts in Brussels. Since 2006, he has been working for theatre companies and art centres in Belgium and abroad mainly producing own work. In the last two years, after a long autonomous residency and exchange project with a neighbourhood in Ghent, his themes have focused on story telling within cities, gentrification, economy and poverty. His most recent theatre performance was about Saint Christopher. Currently, Simon Allemeersch is preparing a theatre performance for the KVS, created in a shop in a street in Brussels..
Vinshnupad Barve - India
Vinshnupad Barve (*1985) studied at the National School of Drama in New Delhi. He worked for several theatre productions as a director, designer and actor and was invited to festivals in India, China and Germany. At present he is working as freelance space designer, performance maker, illumination designer and new media designer in India.
Vinshnupad Barve (*1985) studied at the National School of Drama in New Delhi. He worked for several theatre productions as a director, designer and actor and was invited to festivals in India, China and Germany. At present he is working as freelance space designer, performance maker, illumination designer and new media designer in India.
Zhao Chuan - China
Zhao Chuan (*1967) is a writer, art critic and theatre director who creates alternative, political theatre in Shanghai. He is a founding member and architect of the noteworthy Chinese theatre collective Grass Stage since 2005. His work is devoted to the promotion of new social theatre movement and the creation of non-profit public space. Zhao Chuan´s literary awards include, most notably, the Unita Prize for New Novelists (2001). His writings on contemporary Shanghai art have been selected for publication in various media in China and abroad. He has also been invited to participate in numerous international literary, art and theatre festivals.
Zhao Chuan (*1967) is a writer, art critic and theatre director who creates alternative, political theatre in Shanghai. He is a founding member and architect of the noteworthy Chinese theatre collective Grass Stage since 2005. His work is devoted to the promotion of new social theatre movement and the creation of non-profit public space. Zhao Chuan´s literary awards include, most notably, the Unita Prize for New Novelists (2001). His writings on contemporary Shanghai art have been selected for publication in various media in China and abroad. He has also been invited to participate in numerous international literary, art and theatre festivals.
Djodjo Kazadi - Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djodjo Kazadi (*1979) trained for five years in a Kinshasa theatre before joining ‚Les Béjart Theatre’ for a period of five years. He first discovered dance through a workshop with Faustin Linyekula. In 2003, Djodjo organised the first hip-hop dance competition in Kinshasa, this led to the creation of “Mudjansa”, a stage work for six hip-hop dancers. As a dancer and choreographer he continues to work with Faustin Linyekula and the Studio Kabakos, and tours Africa and Europe. He founded his own company called Kazyadance in 2007.
Djodjo Kazadi (*1979) trained for five years in a Kinshasa theatre before joining ‚Les Béjart Theatre’ for a period of five years. He first discovered dance through a workshop with Faustin Linyekula. In 2003, Djodjo organised the first hip-hop dance competition in Kinshasa, this led to the creation of “Mudjansa”, a stage work for six hip-hop dancers. As a dancer and choreographer he continues to work with Faustin Linyekula and the Studio Kabakos, and tours Africa and Europe. He founded his own company called Kazyadance in 2007.
Michael Kranixfeld - Germany
Michael Kranixfeld (*1988) has been studying cultural studies at the University of Hildesheim since 2009. There he organises festivals for young theatremakers, such as transeuropa in 2012. He founded a Hildesheim citizens’ advisory committee for the up-and-coming format ‘Schredder’ that invited the participation in discussions about ‘cross-cultural imaginations’.
Michael Kranixfeld (*1988) has been studying cultural studies at the University of Hildesheim since 2009. There he organises festivals for young theatremakers, such as transeuropa in 2012. He founded a Hildesheim citizens’ advisory committee for the up-and-coming format ‘Schredder’ that invited the participation in discussions about ‘cross-cultural imaginations’.
Dorine Mokha - Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dorine Mokha (*1989) began dancing in Lubumbashi and has worked with Faustin Linyekula and the Studios Kabako as a dancer and choreographer since 2008. Currently he is assisting Faustin Linyekula for his next piece, ‚Drums and Digging’, which will be presented at Festival Theaterformen and festival d´Avignon among others. This year Dorine will complete his Master of Economic and Social Law at the Kisangani University.
Dorine Mokha (*1989) began dancing in Lubumbashi and has worked with Faustin Linyekula and the Studios Kabako as a dancer and choreographer since 2008. Currently he is assisting Faustin Linyekula for his next piece, ‚Drums and Digging’, which will be presented at Festival Theaterformen and festival d´Avignon among others. This year Dorine will complete his Master of Economic and Social Law at the Kisangani University.
Marlene Monteiro Freitas - Cabo Verde
Marlene Monteiro Freitas (*1979) is co-founder of the dance group Compass. After her dance studies at P.A.R.T.S. in Brussels and at E.S.D. and the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian in Lisbon she developed a dance project with the community of Cova da Moura (Lisbon). She regularly works with Emmanuelle Huynn, Loic Touzé, Tânia Carvalho and Boris Charmatz. Marlene is a member of the collective Bomba Suicida, based in Lisbon.
Marlene Monteiro Freitas (*1979) is co-founder of the dance group Compass. After her dance studies at P.A.R.T.S. in Brussels and at E.S.D. and the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian in Lisbon she developed a dance project with the community of Cova da Moura (Lisbon). She regularly works with Emmanuelle Huynn, Loic Touzé, Tânia Carvalho and Boris Charmatz. Marlene is a member of the collective Bomba Suicida, based in Lisbon.
Dalia Taha - Palestine
Dalia Taha (*1986) was born in Berlin but grew up in Ramallah-Palestine. Her play ‚Keffiyeh/Made in China’ which was produced by the Flemish Royal Theatre and Qattan Foundation and published in four languages. The play was premiered in Brussels in 2012 and later toured 7 palestinian cities. Dalia has been awarded the international ‚Playwriting Residency’ from the Royal Court-London to develop a new play she is working on. Dalia also writes poetry and she has published two collections of poetry.
Dalia Taha (*1986) was born in Berlin but grew up in Ramallah-Palestine. Her play ‚Keffiyeh/Made in China’ which was produced by the Flemish Royal Theatre and Qattan Foundation and published in four languages. The play was premiered in Brussels in 2012 and later toured 7 palestinian cities. Dalia has been awarded the international ‚Playwriting Residency’ from the Royal Court-London to develop a new play she is working on. Dalia also writes poetry and she has published two collections of poetry.
Humphrey Maleka - Soweto - South Africa
Humphrey Maleka (*1985) began his artistic journey with street dance and Pantsula before moving onto Afro Fusion, Flamenco and then contemporary dance. He received his initial dance training in Ntsoana Contemporary Dance Theatre’s development program after which he joined the company as a full time member. Humphrey’s work focus is on the construction of living installations and site-specific investigative performance.
Humphrey Maleka (*1985) began his artistic journey with street dance and Pantsula before moving onto Afro Fusion, Flamenco and then contemporary dance. He received his initial dance training in Ntsoana Contemporary Dance Theatre’s development program after which he joined the company as a full time member. Humphrey’s work focus is on the construction of living installations and site-specific investigative performance.
