Are decisions in times of change and uncertainty inevitable? What potential lies dormant in the spaces in between? Are there ways to connect contrasting worlds of life?

“Hybrid” (WT) is an autobiographical solo performance that explores with the search for balance in times of change. It reflects on personal and social upheavals and shows how uncertainty and loss can serve as a basis for creative agency.

The physically challenging floor made of plastic ice, characterized by limited gliding ability and unexpected resistance, becomes a symbol for navigating altered foundations of life. It opens up new approaches to balance and movement and represents the balancing of opposites.

The performance creates space for exploring themes such as identity, adaptation and transformation. It invites to understand the interplay between standstill and movement, uncertainty and orientation as a source of new impulses and to develop new perspectives.

Enhanced by sound, projection, and visual narrative layers, “Hybrid” (WT) combines dance, theatre, new circus, and contemporary ice skating into a transdisciplinary stage performance.

"Hybrid" (WT) can be played in two versions, each opening up different spaces of experience.

Variant 1 (approx. 60 minutes) begins with a precise examination of the materiality of ice, plastic and ice skates as well as the structures of competitive sport and show business. The factual analysis reveals challenges and adaptation strategies. As the piece progresses, the perspective shifts: the analytical approach gives way to a physical confrontation that makes the conflict between limitation and the search for self-empowerment visually and emotionally tangible.

Version 2 (approx. 55 minutes) follows a poetic and atmospheric narrative approach that centers on the perception of instability. Through physical and emotional impulses, it creates an intense sense of transitional states, in which stability and orientation are continuously renegotiated. A sensuous access to change unfolds as a process that holds both challenge and potential.

The project “Hybrid” (WT) grew out of dramaturgical training with Dr. Maren Witte, funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media in the program NEUSTART KULTUR, [aid program DIS-TANZEN] of the Dachverband Tanz Deutschland, 2022.

Kultur Räume Berlin supported self-funded movement research and the development of scenic material in 2023 by repeatedly providing a rehearsal space in its raw state. Kultur Räume Berlin also supported the finalization of “Hybrid” (WT),

Version 1, in July 2024.

Dramaturgy: Maren Witte

LAKE Studios Berlin is funding in-depth movement practice in the pilot residency program and an initial work showing with a 20-minute excerpt in the Unfinished Fridays event series, 2024.

Dramaturgy: Maren Witte

On-site support: Angie Flanagan, Birgit Aust

With the inclusion in the Zirkus ON Mentoring Program 2024/2025, a second version of “Hybrid” (WT) is being developed for a contemporary circus audience, beginning with a Kick-off presentation pitch at the CircusDance Festival in Cologne, 2024.

Mentors: Robert Sterzik and Liz Williams.

On-site support: Birgit Aust

The further development of “Hybrid” (WT), Version 2, with residency support is being made possible by Zirkus ON alliance partner Tollhaus Karlsruhe. A stage presentation of the work-in-progress took place at the ATOLL Festival, 2024.

Light & Tech: Cecilia Kohlrepp

Technical support: Kai Lim

Zirkus ON's alliance partner Schloss Bröllin supports the finalization of "Hybrid" (WT) Version 2 through residencies and work showings in 2024 and 2025.

Outside-Eye : Joachim Mohr

Sound : Samaquias Lorta

Zirkus ON is being funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media as part of the German Federal Association of the Independent Performing Arts's programme "Verbindungen fördern". Mentoring by Liz Williams and Robert Sterzik.