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THEY/THEM
16th May 2019
17th May 2019
PERFORMANCES
DANCE

An ode to the Other. A desire to connect. A celebration of the future.

Choreographed and performed by Sedrig Verwoert & Christiaan De Donder.
Press photo: Casper Kofi. / Graphic Design: Matthias Neumann.

They/Them encapsulates these hopes and ideas into the frame of contemporary dance performance, building out from it a non-binary reconceptualization of traditional gender roles and identity. To celebrate the True Self against the ever-present barriers of homophobia, class bigotry, systemic racism and toxic masculinity is a powerful act—here, that beauty is birthed on stage.

Crafted meticulously from the minds and separately shared experiences of Sedrig Verwoert and Christiaan De Donder, They/Them weave their autobiographical narratives with the seasoned practice of professionals and the raw emotion of those who are often put on the fringes. Classically ‘male’ and ‘female’ dance roles gracefully slide to and from each performer, fluidic ephemera swapped out amongst the duo’s chimeric blend of dance styles. In each facet—from voguing and house to classical—shines the light of their identity, a mirror that reflects their shared faces.

They/Them will make its German debut in Berlin’s interdisciplinary art space, film kino and dance club Trauma. An independent hub of creativity, the queer-positive hybrid of art and nightlife is an ideal setting to host Verwoert and De Donder’s high-impact performance. Recently presented at Paris’ Palais de Tokyo, the piece has already been awarded The Leo Spreksel Award and the BNG Dance Prize.

An emotional and relatable statement against oppression, racism and binary gender roles, They/Them is a truly visually and mentally arresting experience.