In “Boys don’t dance”, Takao Baba and his company investigate how urban dance moves gone viral can lead young people to the world of dance and help them explore their own vocabulary of movement. How much is body language affected by external influences? Are any movements typical of boys or typical of girls? And what happens when these categories are mixed? What does it mean to take movement out of its original context and consciously use it in a different way? Through emulation and enhancement, rhythm and music, the moves evolve into a unique yet collectively discovered form of body language.
Selection committee statement excerpt:
“A work that rises up to the highest expectations with exceptional dance, music, content and technical execution.Featuring a diverse cast, this fast-paced and dynamic production conveys self-confidence and nurtures a deep sense of community between the performers and the audience.”
From the very first minute, Takao Baba’s work of choreography “Boys don’t dance” captivates its audience. With brilliant musician Jenny Thiele on the electric guitar and a collection of delightfully self-deprecating hip-hop stereotypes that go beyond traditional role ascriptions, its rousing kick-off leaves spectators eager for more.
The individual and the group, independence and community, our own distinct movement repertoires and those of others – this work takes an exciting analytical look at each aspect and offers its young audience members, who are repeatedly called upon to get involved, a wide range of experimental possibilities to develop their own forms of expression and dance styles.
A work that rises up to the highest expectations with exceptional dance, music, content and technical execution.
Featuring a diverse cast, this fast-paced and dynamic production conveys self-confidence and nurtures a deep sense of community between the performers and the audience. But, above all, it is loads of fun – for people of all ages, genders and backgrounds.
In his second production for kids 6 and older, Takao Baba draws on the experience that he and his dancers have gained performing and conducting various workshops for children and teens. In addition to continually working with a group of professional dancers in his company E-Motion, he regularly opens his productions up to emerging young artists. Baba’s works blend various styles of dance and music to leave a multifaceted impression on children.
accessible to
internal | 6+
Venue
only digital presentation
Duration
60 Min.
Theater
Takao Baba / E-motion, Düsseldorf
Coproduction with Asphalt Festival, Düsseldorf
www.emotion-crew.de
Production
Takao Baba / E-motion, Düsseldorf Coproduction with Asphalt Festival, Düsseldorf
Concept: Takao Baba
Choreography & dance: Takao Baba, Felix Küpper, Solomon Quainoo
Music & dance: Jenny Thiele
Costumes: Charlotte Grewer
Outside eye: Mijke Harmsen
Lighting design: Horst Mühlberger
Live Tagtool & animation: Christian Spieß
Production management: Susanne Berthold
Performing rights: The theatre company
Sponsored by: Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of NRW, NRW State Office for the Independent Performing Arts, Cultural Office of the Capital City of Düsseldorf, the performing arts endowment fund Fonds Darstellende Künste with the support of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media