Show Me

A disarming performance about looking, showing and being seen

In Show Me three female dance performers use their bodies, language and physical interaction to explore the do’s and don’ts around ‘looking, showing and being watched’ with an audience. Where do you place yourself? In the dark or close to one of the spotlights that illuminate the space? Who looks at who, what is revealed by what we look at and how easily do you look at someone when you are seen by others?

With references to online (sharing) behavior, Show Me invites to a shared experience, a physical game in which unquestioned social codes become visible and open to discussion. Everyone’s decency is at stake and the game also brings up some challenge and friction.

Show Me plays in theater, on alternative locations and festivals.

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‘Show Me is an exciting game in which the dynamics are constantly shifting. When the audience determines a dancer’s identity, or when spectators are allowed to pose them in a way they find interesting, the dancers give themselves over completely… It gets even more exciting when the spectators form pairs and one is allowed to fully examine the other’s body while the other stands still. As a spectator, you may keep your clothes on, but you must completely surrender yourself to the gaze of a stranger. The safe environment of a performance allows you to become aware of your boundaries and play with them.

The reference to selfie culture is clear… But Show Me rises far above a discussion of social media, privacy, and nude photos. Choreographer Jasper Džuki Jelen explores the vulnerability that naturally comes with having a body.’

Eva van der Weerd / review Theaterkrant (critic’s choice)

3 beautiful essay-reflections on the performance Show Me were written in the context of Dance&Dare SummerSchool – an international project for creative writers who dare to seek out new words for dance and performance, organized by Domein voor Kunstkritiek & DansBrabant.

CREDITS

Concept: Jasper Džuki Jelen and Mojra Vogelnik Škerlj I Performers: Jade van den Hout, Maria Madeira, Mojra Vogelnik Škerlj
Text: Jasper Džuki Jelen with performers I Music composition: Arthur van der Kuip I Lighting advice: Arjuna Borsetti I Costumes: Esther Eveline Sloots I Production: Sanne Wichman I Photography: William van der Voort I Co-production: DansBrabant  and Podium Bloos I Made possible by: PLAN Talentontwikkeling Brabant I  With the financial support of: Gemeente Breda, Prins Bernard Cultuur Fonds I Acknowledgements: Theaterfestival Boulevard, Chassé Theater Breda, Nieuwe Veste Breda and Het Huis Utrecht I 2019