Sophienstrasse 18
10178 Berlin-Mitte
Saison 24/25
Dance/Performance Ticket Premiere
20:00
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Dance Ticket Premiere
20:00
Hochzeitssaal
Dance Ticket
20:00
Hochzeitssaal
Dance Ticket
20:00
Hochzeitssaal
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Dance theater Ticket Premiere
Dance theater Ticket
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Rita Mazza + Anne Zander:
Space 1880

Space 1880-Foto_Mayra Wallraff-13
Rita Mazza + Anne Zander:
Space 1880
Performance
In German Sign Language (DGS)

NOVEMBER 27 | AUDIO DESCRIPTION and preceding stage tour in spoken German for blind and visually impaired visitors. The touch tour begins 90 minutes prior to showtime.

Based on the history and culture of the deaf community, Rita Mazza and Anne Zander dedicate themselves to new forms of art in sign language in a visual sign performance.

The Milan Congress of 1880 was a major turning point for the Deaf community: Hearing educators banned the use of sign language from European education and significantly devalued Deaf culture. It was not until 2002 that German Sign Language was recognized in Germany as a full-fledged language and thus on an equal footing with spoken and written language. Yet equal access to the arts in society is still virtually impossible for most deaf people - a gap that Space 1880 wants to draw attention to. Together, choreographer and performer Rita Mazza and actress Anne Zander are researching new forms of artistic expression that go beyond the existing - often male-dominated - forms of sign poetry and visual vernacular. In a specially created language of movement between sign language poetry, body language, dance and abstract improvisations, they thus encounter the pain of their deaf ancestors and explore forms of healing.

The piece lasts about 45-60 minutes. It is very visual and partly makes use of German Sign Language (DGS). However, the piece is also suitable for an audience without any knowledge of German Sign Language. In some moments the light situation is bright, in others rather dark with some flashy and surprising light effects. The performance uses a lot of heavy bass sounds and vibrations. Hearing protection will be provided at the entrance. The audience area on the grandstand is seated. There are two wheelchair spaces and one beanbag seat that can be reserved by phone or booked via the online ticket shop, if available. Accessibility information is updated on an ongoing basis. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Gina Jeske at jeske@sophiensaele.com or 030 27 89 00 35.

ARTISTIC DIRECTION, Choreography, PERFORMANCE Rita Mazza Creative PERFORMANCE Anne Zander LIGHT DESIGN Michele Piazzi SOUND ENGINEERING Tim Schwerdter MOVEMENT + ARTISTIC MENTORSHIP Gal Naor, Matan Zamir (the progessive wave GbR) VIDEO, EDITING Barbara Toraldo PHOTOS Mayra Wallraff THANKS TO Anne Rieger, Noa Winter AUDIO DEScRIPTION Gerald Pirner, Gina Jeske

A production by Rita Mazza in co-production with SOPHIENSÆLE. Supported by IMPACT funding from the Senate Department for Culture and Europe. Media partner: taz.die tageszeitung.

RITA MAZZA is a deaf queer freelance artist, actress, visual sign performer and dancer. She received several awards for her lead role of Sarah in God's Forgotten Children with Theater Artisti Associati Company in Italy. Additionally, Rita Mazza also serves as the artistic director of Festival del Silenzio, an international performing arts event focused on sign language and deaf arts. She speaks Italian Sign Language fluently as well as German, French and International Sign. Since 2010 Rita Mazza has lived in Berlin and is currently working as an artistic director and performer on visual sign performances in Berlin. She has a longstanding collaboration with Making A Difference.

ANNE ZANDER was born in Berlin and is a trained actress. As a deaf woman she still has many intersectional experiences. She has appeared in various films and television shows, as well as in plays, such as A Midsummer Night's Dream directed by Michaela Caspar at Ballhaus Ost and the German Deaf Theater. In her leading role as Conny in Du sollst hören (ZDF), she performs throughout in her native language for the first time. She is also a passionate roller derby skater and has already participated in several European competitions.

  • Space 1880-Foto_Mayra Wallraff-13
    © Mayra Wallraff
  • Space 1880-Foto_Mayra Wallraff_63
    © Mayra Wallraff
  • Space 1880-Foto_Mayra Wallraff_72
    © Mayra Wallraff
  • Rita Mazza_Space 1880_c_Mayra Wallraff_HP
    © Mayra Wallraff
  • Rita Mazza Space 1880_c_Mayra Wallraff_HP1
    © Mayra Wallraff
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