June to September, 2019
I took a deep dive into German innovation practices by researching and observing Theatre Wrede + flausen+ incubator in action.
The essence of contemporary German practice is so different from our own. A professional production in a major theatre does not look or feel remotely like a Canadian main stage productions. In already provocative theatre culture, Germany’s Freie Theatre’s have taken a leading role in the push for fostering artistic vibrancy, public engagement and the development of future innovators.
Theater Wrede + has been at the for-front of this revolution with Flausen – Emerging Artists Residenz, a creative innovation platform and European network of companies dedicated to developing new ideas, forms, and facilitate new voice. Sparking innovation in form across disciplines, Theatre Wrede+’s Flausen has developed artistic and administrative practices to facilitate this risk and process-based approaches.
Over four months I observing practice at Theatre Wrede+ (Oldenburg), theater im ballsaal (Bonn), Freies Werkstatt Theater (Köln), Theater neben dem Turm (Marburg), Theaterlabor (Bielefeld) and the International Flausen+ Co-Production with Residenza I.DRA (Brescia, Italy). I also joined Theatre Wrede+ and waved the Canadian theatre flag at the Life on Mars International Theatre conference in Milan.
This was a wonderful opportunity to not only meet and engage with the fantastic flausen+ residency artists, but also the mentors, dramaturges and production and administrative teams of the companies supporting Flausen+. Focused time was spent with Winifried Wrede at Theatre Wrede+ in Oldenburg.
theater wrede +, Oldenburg
Two asians and a Latina sit on the floor
TachoTinta
Contemporary Cologne dance company, made up of artists from Mexico and South Korea, explore identity and transcultural encounters.
theater im ballsaal, Bonn
Ornamentale Klanggestalt
TallBlondLadies (Anna Berndtson & Irina Runge), Kathrin Jobczyk, Corinna Siebert
Swedish/German Performance artists TBL, joined forces with a musician and a video artist in a tapestry of sound and images.
Freihandelszone Ensemblenetzwerk, Köln
Soundtracking the stage
Özlem Alkis, Dieter Hebben, Susanne Grau, Clara-Marie Müller, Jennifer Döring
An exploration of sound and movement led by contemporary choreographer Özlem Alkis. When does sound trigger movement and movement trigger sound?
Theater neben dem Turm, Marburg
Kollaps
Ren Saibara, Rosiris Garrido, Clara Gracia, Yuko Matsuyama Das Anhalten
European acrobatics, Indian martial arts and Nichibu, a Japanese dance, in a shared exploration of physical movement.
Theaterlabor, Bielefeld
Captain Ruralia – Science Fiction für ländliche Räume
Syndikat Gefährliche Liebschaften
A fascinating exploration of rural communities through the lens of Science Fiction. The exploration took inspiration Morality Plays from the Middle Ages to Forum Theatre.
Residenza I.DRA, Brescia & Theater Wrede +, Oldenburg
FLAUSEN EUROPA
Once we were islands, Alessandra Corti, Marcela Frota Variani
Berlin movement artists Once we were islands, joined Italien artists Alessandra Corti and Marcela Frota Variani in Brescia in Flausen+ first International incubator.