Dunkelschwarz
A research-based dance theater production in cooperation with the City Theater Münster

Direction/Choreography: Gerben Vaillant Project Management: Charlie Petersen, Sarah Bernhard, Isabel Bernhard, Friederike Klodwig, Stadttheater Münster Performance: Soraya Abtahi, Amelie Barth, Isabel Bernhard, Sarah Bernhard, Friederike Klodwig, Charlie Petersen
Text: Iona Daniel
Stage Design: Lennard Dose & Nils Kassens
Costume Design: Gerben Vaillant
Music: Timon Persoon
Dramaturgy: Angela Merl & Anne Abrahams
Theater Pedagogy: Anne Abrahams
Theater Pedagogy& Cooperation with Universities: Kristina Krieger
Dance Pedagogy: MNEME kollektiv
Premiere: 23.09.23

Four dancers and two actresses gather on an adventurous playground in the darkness. Over their heads the night explodes like a gigantic mushroom cloud, opening up another world in which all the quirky, special and amusing figures become visible that remain hidden in the light. The mysterious and unpredictable darkness seems to function according to very own rules...

With a lot of humor and a good dose of cheekyness, the ensemble embarks on a turbulent journey of discovery through the gloom. The symbiosis of words and movement, sound and dance creates an innovative form of play that opens up new poetic worlds.

Dunkelschwarz is based on four weeks of research in primary schools in Münster and the surrounding area. In workshops with the artistic team, the children explored philosophical questions such as: What do I associate with darkness? Does darkness feel mysterious? Creepy? Exciting? Is darkness the same for everyone? From the diverse and remarkable results of this research process, the Dutch playwright Iona Daniel has written poetic and humorous texts that form the basis of this performative production.