The artistic process Aesthetics of Access, which originated from theater practices in Great Britian and the USA, looks for inclusive production and performance formats where mixed-able artistic teams work together and learn from each other in order to develop a shared stage vocabulary and create artistically integrated forms of accessibility.

The festival “FIGURE IT OUT” presents examples of Aesthetics of Access in puppet theater. During the symposium, the artistic approaches will be examined in-depth in works and the working methods will be explored practically. The first workshop phase from 10 am to 1 pm addresses a Deaf and hearing professional audience, while the workshop from 2 pm to 4 pm is intended for blind, visually impaired and sighted colleagues.

10:00–11:30

Communication without Words

A workshop for Deaf and hearing professionals accompanying the production »Hrdinky?!« • The workshop is conducted without spoken language

Workshop facilitator: Veronika Slámová

This interactive workshop introduces visual communication: the participants will learn how much they can express themselves without a single word. Using signs, gestures, mimetics and full body movements, they will experience how natural human communication functions beyond the spoken word.

The Deaf artist Veronika Slámová works as a workshop facilitator and performer with the theater group OUKEJ as well as an educator at the Janáček Academy for Music and Performing Arts in Brno. In a playful and trusting way, she introduces the world of visual perception, nonverbal communication and mutual understanding.

Accessibility

The workshop is conducted without spoken language. A German Sign Language interpreter will be available before and after the performances to assist visitors as needed.

Information about the accessibility of the venue in structural terms can be found here.

11:30–13:00

Krump with Signs

Ein Workshop für Taubes und hörendes Fachpublikum zur Inszenierung »La Langue des Cygnes« • In English spoken language with simultaneous interpretation into German Sign Language

Workshop facilitator: Andy Ngoua

Using movement material that was developed by the participants in the previous workshop “Communication without Words” as well as from the production “La Langue des Cygnes“, members of Compagnie Graine de Vie provide an introduction to their artistic method of translating sign language into dance. Led by the dancer and choreographer Andy Ngoua, the participants will develop their own small choreography in the style of Krump. The workshop will be accompanied by live music.

Accessibility

A German Sign Language interpreter will be available before and after the performances to assist visitors as needed.

Information about the accessibility of the venue in structural terms can be found here.

13:00–14:00

Break

14:00–16:00

Roots: Experiments with the Invisible

A workshop for blind, visually impaired and sighted professionals accompanying the production »invisible« • in spoken German with whispered English translation (on request; please indicate upon registration)

Workshop facilitator: Franziska Burnay Pereira, Gerald Pirner, Susann Tamoszus

How can children be taught to describe observations, images, sounds and their inner imagination linguistically and aurally so that they can be shared with blind people? What settings help to develop notions of a world beneath our feet that is invisible to us and translate them into haptic, aural and theatrical forms?

We will look for answers to these questions in the research project Roots together with preschool children from a daycare center from Berlin-Kreuzberg as well as with blind and sighted artists. In this workshop, we will present artistic attempts and practical settings from the project and share experiences with an integrated audio description from the production process of “invisible”.

Accessibility

We offer a pickup service for blind and visually impaired people from the U-Bahn station »Klosterstraße«. Access friends are available on site to assist if needed. Please register for the pickup by email at ticket@schaubude.berlin or by phone at +49 30 4234314 by 4 pm the day before.

Information about the accessibility of the venue in structural terms can be found here.