Nima Séne:
BIPoC-only*: auf den weg zu mir / auf den weg zu dir

In "auf den weg zu mir / auf den weg zu dir", Nima Séne traces the lyrical legacy of the poem sein oder nichtsein by poet and activist May Ayim. Based on concepts such as ultra-sanity and anti-psychiatry, the performance explores a solo which in solitude carries with it ancestors and an awareness of not being alone in the space, exploring colours present in rainbows, embodying and creating a community in the space. Imagining a future/present/past exfoliating away categories on the journey closer to me, closer to you. In a performance installation, Nima Séne creates spaces that, in addition to empowerment and Black Joy, also allow vulnerability, claiming it as a resistant elemental force!

The piece lasts a maximum of 60 minutes. It partly uses German spoken language. We will do our best to provide all text passages additionally in English written language. The piece is very visual and uses intense colored lighting effects, fog and possibly dry ice. In one scene, there will be brief strobe lighting. Sometimes the room is in complete darkness. It can get very loud. Hearing protection is provided at the entrance. There are different seating options such as chairs, beanbags and mats. The beanbag seats as well as two wheelchair spaces can be reserved by phone or booked via the online ticket shop or at the box office, if available. Admission begins 20-30 minutes prior to show time. We recommend arriving early to select a suitable seat. Please note that the accessibility information is subject to possible changes. It will be updated continuously. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Gina Jeske at jeske@sophiensaele.com or 030 27 89 00 35. Click HERE to find information about our performance spaces and pathways, accessible restrooms, parking, directions to the theater, a 360° video tour of the building, and more.

NIMA SÉNE is a transdisciplinary artist, having trained in dance-theatre and contemporary performance moving into a director–performer-poet-maker–producer and consultant. Their work is rooted in exploring and expressing a queer Black european African diasporic experience and in a fundamental way both collaborative and devised. Their approach is about re-distribution and creating opportunity in each opportunity they receive. Séne’s work explores belonging, alienation and humour. Their practice and life is currently moving into focusing on joy, mental health, spirituality and dark matter. Séne is evolving into pursuing predominantly a directing practice.

VIRGINNIA KRÄMER is a performer, interdisciplinary artist and mother of Zuri, her three-year-old child. Currently, Virginnia is researching the realities of Black adopted people in Berlin as part of the BKM's DIS-TANZ-SOLO grant; to this end, she is archiving stories that refute common colonial racist narratives of transracial adoption. She conceives her work in a post-politicizing space that understands Afrofuturist utopia as the present, exploring new forms and formats at the intersection of choreography and performance. 

SEA NOVAA is a Bahamian-American composer, sound artist, and sonic activist.  Their compositions are deeply influenced by the avant-garde aesthetic, electronic music,  Taoism, and her Afro-Caribbean roots. Sea's works explore themes of nature, spirituality,  Afro-futurism, and self-exploration. They seek to create sound worlds that fuse together  acoustic and electronic means of expression.

VALERIE RENAY is a Berlin based French-Caribbean performer, musician, vocal coach, and artistic advisor. Concerned with notions of identity, our place in society, our spiritual quest and everyday psychosis, She uses her physical and vocal expertise to teach and create work holding the emotional body at its core.

CÉLINE RODRIGUES Monteiro has a long expertise in early childhood education and has focused her work on empowering BIPOC families. 2020 she started implementing her artistic and management skills into various art productions where she finds joy in set photography and learning the art of producing.

RAQUEL ROSILDETE is a lighting designer for theater and architecture. She has worked artistically in decolonial and anti-racist theater productions while simultaneously establishing her work as an independent lighting designer for architecture. She composes light through visuality and narratives, architecture and theater, light perception and habits, and with the colors within light and skin.