The Chance to Find Yourself

Two migrant theatre makers from very different backgrounds try to stage a performance together.

“A playful theatre performance, quite original and subtle about racism, intercultural differences and identity. But at the same time it’s about theatre, aesthetics and contemporary art.”

Lara Staal

Two theatre practitioners came to Brussels hoping to improve their working and living conditions. They do not know each other, they have different cultural and economic backgrounds and different aesthetic practices, and both try to find out more about each other, themselves and their artistic practice, despite an evident cultural gap. One is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the other is a German-speaking Italian from South Tyrol.

The performance stages what this encounter produces: the process itself became the heart of the work. By trying to get to know the other, the two performers got to know their own prejudices and discriminatory behaviours. The audience becomes a witness and may recognise itself in this process.

We hope to contribute in a modest but honourable way to making “white innocence” (Gloria Wekker) visible and to take part in the conversation about the colonial past and present.