TANZ_Mittwoch: Tanz und Politik

In the organizer's words:

"All they wanted to do was dance"

John Neumeier's dance collage "The Invisibles" reflects Germany's pioneering role in dance before 1933, when important choreographers of the time such as Rudolf von Laban and Mary Wigman were influential in shaping the style in Germany and the local dance scene flourished. Texts, song, music and dance are used to bring to life how the situation of dancers at the time was ultimately changed by National Socialism. Neumeier's creation will be performed on January 4 and 5 at the Schauspielhaus with dancers from the Bundesjugendballett. Following the performance, the discussion forum "TANZ_Mittwoch" on Wednesday, January 15, invites you to a more in-depth exchange. Under the moderation of Kirsten Ammermüller, Thorsten Teubl and Lars Anderstam, Prof. Dr. Ralf Stabel, Dr. Thomas Kampe and Dr. Ulla Ellermann will discuss the development of dance in Germany, especially in Kassel, since 1920, focusing on the time when the National Socialists seized power but also discussing current political developments. Klil Ella Rotstein and Daniel Gur (Ensemble TANZ_KASSEL) will be dancing. Free admission.

Prof. Dr. Ralf Stabel received his doctorate from the University of Bremen with his dissertation "Dance and Politics" and is now a theater scholar and dance historian as well as former director (2007 - 2020) of the Staatliche Ballettschule Berlin.

Dr. Thomas Kampe lives and works in London. He had a long-standing collaboration with the Jewish exile choreographer Hilde Holger (1905-2001). From 2002 to 2012, he was head of the dance department at London Metropolitan University. He now works as a somatic teacher all over the world.

Dr. Ulla Ellermann is a qualified sports teacher, dance teacher, dance scientist, choreographer and kinesiologist. She was a lecturer in gymnastics, rhythmics and dance at the German Sport University Cologne and the University of Kassel and was Vice President and President of the German Federal Dance Association (DBT) from 1999 to 2016 as well as Head of Training for the DBT's "Overall Concept of Dance Pedagogy" training and education program until 2020.