Difference? What difference does it make.

“Difference? What difference does it make.” is a joint project by the Landesbühnen Sachsen and HELLERAU which aims to examine issues of belonging and diversity in the context of various life experiences. As a “relaxed and sensorially adapted performance”, it offers autistic, handicapped and non-handicapped individuals the opportunity to participate both on stage and behind the scenes. Additional elements, e.g. haptic and audio-visual components adapted to special needs, also serve to enhance the sensual spectrum and experience of the performance for unimpaired audience members.

The dance company of the Landesbühnen Sachsen has invited professional guests with impairments, handicaps and special needs to participate in the production, and in so doing, create a mixed-abled dance ensemble. Under the artistic direction of choreographer Wagner Moreira, the dancers work together to explore biographical elements which can later be integrated into a coherent choreography. Moreira, who has worked for numerous European institutions and independent productions in various artistic and pedagogical contexts, can make use of his breadth of experience in the area of inclusive and participatory work. In addition to preparatory workshops and master classes, a number of international experts on artistically inclusive working methods in the dance field have been invited during the 2020/21 season to offer important impulses for the production. The organisers hope that the coproduction will not only provide a chance to experiment with and present new aesthetics on stage, but also serve as a model that encourages other theatres to open themselves up to diversified ensembles and audience groups.

Artistic director: Wagner Moreira
Project manager: Josepha Vogel
Stage Design: Fabian Wendling
Costumes: Tom Böhm
Music: Martin Widyanata
Visuals: Tim Stadie
Dramaturge: Johanna Jäger
Performers: Dance company of the Saxon State Theatres and guests: Magali Saby, Sophie Hauenherm, Dodzi Dougban, Guiseppe Comuniello, Olimpia Scardi and others