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«Dramaturgie blind inklusiv»
Fia Neises und Liv Schellander

Workshop

Criptonite, together with Fia Neises and Liv Schellander, invite you to explore creative dramaturgy for blind and visually impaired audiences. The workshop lasts 5 days of 7 hours each.

  • Tue 26/08 11:00 – 18:00

    Nordflügel

    The workshop is fully booked.

  • Wed 27/08 11:00 – 18:00

    Nordflügel

    The workshop is fully booked.

  • Thu 28/08 11:00 – 18:00

    Nordflügel

    The workshop is fully booked.

  • Fri 29/08 11:00 – 18:00

    Nordflügel

    The workshop is fully booked.

  • Sat 30/08 11:00 – 18:00

    Nordflügel

    The workshop is fully booked.

Copyright: Dramaturgie blind inklusiv

Audio description is a way of making visual material accessible to blind and visually impaired people. A sighted person describes their perception of the situation to them. However, in order to create an actual experience, the limitations of description are quickly reached. Blind and visually impaired audiences want to experience three-dimensional theatre. This is why the workshop ‘Dramaturgy blind inclusive’ will explore beyond the field of audio description and rethink conventional dramaturgy ideas.

With a mixed group of interested people and artists of all visual abilities, we will research, playfully try out and discuss formats for inclusive and creative audio description. Participants will first have time to learn and try things out together in a safe environment. Fia Neises will share her practice as a blind choreographer and performer and Liv Schellander will involve her own body in somatic exercises to not only speak but also do.

On the third day, there will be an open discursive workshop section in which accessibility for blind people in the theatre and anti-ableist measures in and around institutions can be discussed. Local institutions and individuals can be invited to this three-hour block. On the last day, it will be possible to share first scenic experiments with visitors.

Information on accessibility and language

The workshop will be held in German spoken language with interpretation into German-Swiss sign language.

If required, one of our assistants can accompany you before and after the workshop between Gessnerallee and the surrounding stops. Assistance dogs and assistants are welcome.

Fees for assistants can be paid by arrangement.

Hotel accommodation can be provided for up to 4 people with accessibility needs who live outside Zurich.

The workshop room (north wing) is steplessly accessible. Barrier-free toilets are available. There will be various seating and reclining options.

Lunch will be provided for all participants.

If you have any questions about accessibility, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Application

To register for the workshop, please send us an email with the following information to workshops@gessnerallee.ch by 29 June:

  • 2 to 3 sentences about yourself: Who are you and what motivates you to take part in the workshop?

  • Whether you identify as (visually) impaired, deaf/hard of hearing or chronically ill (other self-identifications welcome)

  • Whether you have accessibility needs in order to participate in the workshop

  • Whether you are bringing an assistant or an assistance dog (important information for allergy sufferers)

  • Whether you need overnight accommodation due to accessibility needs.

  • There are 15 workshop places. Of these, at least 5 places will be allocated to blind and visually impaired people. Participation in the workshop is free of charge.

Supported by

  • The workshop ‘Dramaturgie blind inklusiv’ is organised by Criptonite in cooperation with Gessnerallee. Funded by the City of Zurich Culture and the Canton of Zurich Culture Department. Supported by Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council.

About the artists

  • Fia Neises and Liv Schellander are artists, activists and organisers with many years of experience in designing and implementing accessible artistic collaborations and formats.

    Fia/Sophia Neises is a freelance performer, choreographer, access dramaturge, theatre educator and disability rights activist. In her artistic research, she has been focusing on aesthetic accessibility for blind audiences for almost ten years, collaborating with artists from dance, theatre and performance. In 2023, she was awarded the German Dance Award's ‘Honour for Outstanding Development in Dance’ for her activist work for greater inclusion. She identifies as a disabled artist and encourages the appreciation of people's individual styles of perception and the creation of unconditional access to art in the process.

    Liv Schellander is a dancer/performer, choreographer and Somatic Experiencing (SE)® practitioner. She works with artists in different constellations, teaches and produces her own work. Recently, she has been increasingly involved in researching multisensory art production in the field of performing arts. Since 2022 she has worked with Michael Turinsky in ‘SOILED’ and ‘Work Body’, in 2023 she co-created ‘With Or Without You’, a dance performance that invites you into spaces of ‘Access Intimacy’ in the team of Fia/Sophia Neises. Since 2023, Liv has been developing her practice of ‘Choreo-Constellating’, which is artistically explored and realised in various projects. Her collaboration ‘Animalariums’ Constellations’ is touring as part of Perform Europe 2025.

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