| Makers | DansBlok |
| In the context of | International Women's Day |
| Duration | 60 min |
On International Women's Day we’re dropping all the balls
This show is a dance performance, but contains some Dutch.
The world is rushing by and we are rushing along. We must stand strong, be angry, show no doubt, and go straight for our goal. We want to be infallible goddesses, striving for all the paradoxical ideals that we as women have to live up to. You must be willing and docile, but not too easy. You have to want to be a mother, but also have a career. You should be beautiful, but not too seductive or threatening.
Apparently, we simply don't do everything well enough. So how do we deal with all these expectations? Do we wish to comply with this ourselves or does society project these ideas onto women?
BALLEN LOS finds the women of DansBlok triggered by fascinating sounds, piercing beats and powerful lyrics by Oukje den Hollander. Everything is under control like a well-oiled machine, just as is expected of us. We always strive for more, to become better, more successful and keep juggling all these roles without a hitch. But how long can we keep this up and why don't we slow down? The dancers become trapped and the urge for liberation grows. What happens if you don't want to meet expectations, or break away from the system…or even fight back?
It's time to drop all the balls, and pay tribute to femininity and the power of vulnerability.
DansBlok is a dance collective based in the Makershuis of Theater Ins Blau in Leiden, consisting of Rosa Allessie, Éryn Nieuwint, Dieuwertje Spek and Tessa Wouters. The collective creates contemporary dance productions seen at various locations such as theaters, festivals, schools and on the silver screen.
DansBlok’s inspiration derives from social themes that fascinate them. Familiar feelings and situations that the makers experienced as young adult women in our society are translated into physical, expressive and stylized productions. Topics such as dealing with expectations, desire for freedom, crossing boundaries and searching for connection are front and center in each performance.
| Choreography | Collectief DansBlok | Rosa Allessie, Éryn Nieuwint, Dieuwertje Spek en Tessa Wouters |
| Performers | Rosa Allessie, Éryn Nieuwint, Dieuwertje Spek en Tessa Wouters |
| Text and singing | Oukje den Hollander |
| Composition | Enrico Meijer |
| Dramaturgy | Merel Heering |
| Costumes | Resi van der Ploeg en Wobine Bosch |
| Setdesign | Frank van der Groen |
| Light design | Andries van Duijvenbode |
| Crew | Reindert van Rijn |
| Videoregistration and trailer | Jilles van Kleef |
| photography | Lisa Ball |
| Thanks to | Fonds Podiumkunsten, Theater Ins Blau, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds en Gemeente Leiden |
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