Productions from the fields of dance, performance, and physical theatre will be presented. In Mülheim an der Ruhr, well-known artists and newcomers alike will have their turn. The special aspect of the selection: Not only the dramaturgs of the Ringlokschuppen Ruhr had (as usual) the say – rather, a cross-departmental team democratically selected eight candidates from almost 300 applications.
The program is as ambitious as the motto "Truth & Contradiction, Realities & Values." In light of the financial drain that the free scene is facing due to the recent austerity policies of public budgets, the HundertPro Festival sees itself more than ever as a support for independent, self-organized cultural creators. A creative intervention by the dance initiative Cheers For Fears directly refers to the cultural policy cuts in NRW.
Founded as a post-migrant festival, queerness, identity-political questions, migrant biographies, and experiences of racism are also in focus in the sixth edition. Sebastian Brohn, dramaturg at the Ringlokschuppen, explains the high aspirations of the festival: "With the thematic focus, we deliberately sought productions and artists that reflect and mirror our complex social coexistence with all its contradictions, personal realities, values that shape us, and opposing claims to truth."
What does that mean in practice? With Paul Damiano, a dancer and choreographer from Kenya, the weighty message is staged with playful lightness. His solo piece "Haba na Haba," in which he embarks on a journey into his childhood, refers to a Swahili proverb that states that small progress leads to great successes in the end – at least ideally.
The "Neon Serenade" by Benze C. Werner testifies to a look in the autobiographical rearview mirror. The Cologne dancer addresses various aspects in her very personal serenade – including memories of past love relationships and fantasies directed towards future connections. A solo performance by Berlin dancer Elvan Tekin examines the role of body and language in the formation of our identity.
The HundertPro Festival sets strong impulses in terms of performance. In the piece "Babylon" by Jäckie Rydz, three trans performers find artistic ciphers for the phenomenon of queer reproduction. Mother, whore, and bride form the unholy trinity. In her performance "Like, really cunt," Marje Hirvonen brings five people to the stage – this is simultaneously a safe space, party location, and catwalk. Meanwhile, Indian dancer Anand Dhanakoti incorporates circus elements into his performance. "Baalya" is based on his experiences as a street child in Bangalore and turns the Indian caste system upside down. Physical theatre is represented by "Impatients" by Charlie Wyrsch: The performer, actress, theatre maker, and drag king aims to circle a "pathologized and pathetic body" from a queer-feminist perspective.
