Creative Exploration with Archive Lab at CircusDanceFestival 2024
CircusDanceFestival, in collaboration with Deutsches Tanzarchiv Köln, presents The Archive Lab—an artistic-reflexive research laboratory designed for dance and circus enthusiasts, particularly Master’s students. Set in Cologne from May 13th to 18th, 2024, this innovative lab invites participants to delve into the rich tapestry of performing arts archives, exploring physical practices, theoretical texts, visual documents, and objects.
Led by Dr. Mirjam Hildbrand and Dr. des. Johanna Hilari, seasoned Dramaturges and Dance/Theatre Researchers from Switzerland, The Archive Lab offers a unique space for participants to engage, reflect, and react to diverse materials. The process-oriented format tailors the experience to individual interests and experiences, fostering artistic and reflective growth. The working language is English, and the group welcomes a maximum of 15 international participants.
Contextualized within CircusDanceFestival, the 2024 edition explores themes of heritage, innovation, and renewal following Circus’s recognition as an independent form within the performing arts. The VOICES magazine will delve into the contemporary re-location of the clown figure.
Practical information includes a week-long schedule, starting with sessions at Deutsches Tanzarchiv Köln and concluding with participation in the CircusDanceFestival. The Archive Lab functions as a summer school, and selected participants receive a festival pass. While participation is free, applicants are required to commit to the entire week. Catering is provided during festival days, but accommodation and travel costs are not covered.
Applications are accepted until February 9, 2024, requiring a short motivation statement, thoughts on the “Archive” topic, and a brief bio. Accepted participants will be notified about the program and further details by February 15, 2024.
For inquiries and applications, reach out to Luzie Schwarz, the production manager of CircusDanceFestival at [email protected], or find more information about CircusDanceFestival: www.circus-dance-festival.de
More About The Program Leaders
Johanna Hilari (*1989) grew up in La Paz (Bolivia) and studied dance and theatre studies in Bern and Paris, where in 2022 she completed her PhD thesis entitled «Expanded Choreography – Expanded Cinema. Choreografische Verfahren der Erweiterung». She researches and teaches as a postdoctoral assistant at the Institute for Theatre Studies at the University of Bern. Since 2013 she has been working as a freelance dramaturge in the field of contemporary dance with choreographers such as Emma Murray, Anna Anderegg, and Pol Pi. Currently she is a dramaturge in the Swiss programme Danse&Dramaturgie. Johanna Hilari lives in Bern.
Mirjam Hildbrand (*1987) grew up in Basel (Switzerland) and studied dramaturgy and Inszenierung der Künste und der Medien (staging of the arts and media) in Leipzig and Hildesheim. In 2022 she completed her PhD thesis «Theaterlobby attackiert Zirkus. Zur Wende im Kräfteverhältnis zweier Theaterformen zwischen 1869 und 1918 in Berlin» at the Institute for Theatre Studies at the University of Bern. She is currently researching and teaching there with a postdoctoral position. Since 2017, she has also been working freelance as a publicist, lecturer, and consultant within the performing arts, as well as a dramaturg and curator in the field of contemporary circus. Mirjam Hildbrand lives in Basel.
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