The Choreonauts

The Bremen-based dance company “steptext dance project” developed the project titled “THE CHOREONAUTS”, in which three internationally renowned choreographers from South Africa, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast collaborated with three German choreographers. Nadja Beugré, Qudus Onikeku und Phumlani Nyanga teamed up with Renate Graziadei, Sebastian Matthias und Helge Letonja respectively. The partners developed dance pieces together, for which the African artists suggested various socio-critical issues to serve as impulses for their artistic collaboration.

The productions had bundled into three double-evening performances and staged at various venues and festivals in Germany, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast and South Africa. A diverse selection of events accompanied the performances, e.g. exhibitions, films, lectures, workshops and discussion forums with African and European artists and experts from the dance, cultural and political spheres. The project offered master classes which provided the participants an opportunity to explore the issues in greater detail and promote intercultural and dance-practical exchange.

The Choreonauts were presented as part of AFRICTIONS - CAPTURED BY DANCE and under the label THE CHOREONAUTS - AFRO-EUROPEAN NAVIGATIONS IN DANCE. In co-production with the Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen,Tanz! Heilbronn, Theater Bremen and in cooperation with the Theater im Pfalzbau Ludwigshafen and the TNT Mannheim.

Artistic director: Anke Euler (AT)
Participating artists: Nadja Beugré (CI), Renate Graziadei (DE), Helge Letonja (DE), Sebastian Matthias (DE), Phumlani Nyanga, Qudus Onikeku (NG)

Performances and Dates

YUROPA
Qudus Onikeku & Sebastian Matthias / QDanceCenter Lagos, Nigeria

18./19. Mai 2018, 20 Uhr, Schwankhalle Bremen
23. Mai 2018, Theater im Pfalzbau Ludwigshafen
30./31. Mai 2018, Sophiensaele Berlin

UNTITLED / CHAOTIC ORDER – A BLINK OF AN EYE
Nadia Beugré & Renate Graziadei / ASSOCIATION TRANSIT, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

17. Mai 2018, Festival Tanz! Heilbronn
22./23. Mai 2018, 20 Uhr, Theater Bremen
26./27. Mai 2018, Theater Mannheim

IN-BETWEEN / DIGGING IN THE NIGHT
Phumlani Nyanga & Helge Letonja / Dance Forum Johannesburg, Südafrika

15.-17. Mai 2018, Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen
20./21. Mai 2018, Theater Mannheim
26./27. Mai 2018, 20 Uhr, Schwankhalle Bremen