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MCB-DV-12342

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Robert Ssempijja starts his solo with a story about the community in Kampala, Uganda, where he grew up and tells of the expectations of its members towards him. Every society tends to be particularly judgmental and close-minded towards those who step out of line. We are all constantly searching for our place in the world: we try to adapt, to understand our different roles and we struggle for acceptance. In a catwalk setup, dancer and choreographer Robert Ssempijja demonstrates the body’s ability to challenge social norms – and thus reveals the dance’s inherent potential for emancipation. At the same time, the piece contributes to distorting, disrupting and expanding the limits imposed by the disciplining gaze of others.

My mum who also happens to be my father inspires me a lot. However, there has been a struggle within me for the longest time and it manifests itself in my relationship with her. She is very much bound by the traditions, norms and unwritten laws of her society and community. She will do what is seemingly right in everyday life to make sure not to draw any ill wishes or social punishments over herself and her children.

She extends that effort to the rest of her family. She makes sure that we go to school, cut our hair and iron our shirts. God forbid we have holes in our jeans even if it is the latest fashion. She does all this because of love and a will to protect us. But it tends to extend further on: How to think and act. How to always leave our problems behind closed doors and meet the outer world with a smile. No matter of the feeling inside.

Being from a younger generation, I applaud my mother for all her doing. She has not had an easy life and with all the pressure from the surrounding so- ciety, it can‘t have made it easier to raise two children with no means. I want to please my mother in all this. Maybe I can give some of all her efforts back. I could become a lawyer or doctor as the norm tells me I should strive for. But I don‘t want that. I want to keep my hair, wear my t-shirt and dance my doctor‘s career away. Can‘t my actions speak for themselves?

/ CREDITS /

CONCEPT, PERFORMANCE: Robert Ssempijja

MUSIC: Abdoul Mujyambere, Öz Kaveller

COSTUME: Karmelita Siwa

DRAMATURGICAL ADVICE: Maciej Sado

A production of Ssempijja Robert in co-production with SOPHIENSÆLE.

With the kind support of Company Christoph Winkler.

/ TANZTAGE BERLIN 2022 /

CURATOR: Mateusz Szymanówka

DRAMATURGICAL SUPPORT: Maciek Sado, Maxi Wallenhorst

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT: Johanna Withelm

The 31st edition of Tanztage Berlin is a production of the SOPHIENSÆLE.

Funded by the Senate Department for Culture and Europe.

With the friendly support of Tanzfabrik Berlin e. V. and Theaterhaus Berlin Mitte.

// DEUTSCH //

Robert Ssempijja startet sein Solo mit einer Geschichte über die Community im ugandischen Kampala, in der er aufgewachsen ist, und erzählt von den Erwartungshaltungen ihrer Mitglieder ihm gegenüber. Jede Gesellschaft neigt dazu, all denen besonders wertend und ablehnend gegenüberzustehen, die aus der Reihe tanzen. Wir alle sind ständig auf der Suche nach unserem Platz in der Welt: Wir versuchen, uns anzupassen, unsere unterschiedlichen Rollen zu verstehen und kämpfen um Akzeptanz. In einem Laufsteg-Setup zeigt der Tänzer und Choreograf Robert Ssempijja die Fähigkeit des Körpers, soziale Normen herauszufordern – und offenbart damit das dem Tanz innewohnende Potenzial zur Emanzipation. Gleichzeitig trägt das Stück dazu bei, die durch den disziplinierenden Blick anderer auferlegten Grenzen zu verzerren, zu stören und zu erweitern.