«Movements»
Monika Truong + Accomplices

The performance will take place in the Kappellenraum at the Kulturhaus Helferei

«Movements» invites you to have a closer look on the accomplishments of social movements and the individuals who inspired them.

  • Wed 04/03 20:00 – 21:00

    Kappellenraum, Kulturhaus Helferei, Kirchgasse 13, 8001 Zürich

  • Thu 05/03 20:00 – 21:00

    Kappellenraum, Kulturhaus Helferei, Kirchgasse 13, 8001 Zürich

  • Fri 06/03 20:00 – 21:00

    Kappellenraum, Kulturhaus Helferei, Kirchgasse 13, 8001 Zürich

  • Sat 07/03 20:00 – 21:00

    Kappellenraum, Kulturhaus Helferei, Kirchgasse 13, 8001 Zürich

‘Movements’ examines social change through the stories of musician Zainab Lascandri, feminist artist and activist Salma Said, and performer Steven Schoch. Copyright: Michael Meili

Many of the rights and achievements that are taken for granted today were fought for by social movements.

Are you ready?
Absolutely, it's time.

Through the lives of three cultural pioneers and internationally renowned activists, Movements explores, celebrates and questions these social changes in all their complexity – in an evening of celebratory and thoughtful shout-outs. Musician Zainab Lascandri, a pioneer of the female rap scene in Zurich, and feminist artist and activist Salma Said, who was part of the Egyptian revolution in 2011, are accompanied by performer Steven Schoch, whose heritage is closely linked to queer and apartheid struggles in South Africa.

‘Movements’ invites us to trace the lived experiences and worldviews of these individuals and to bear witness to their struggles and journeys. Through a ritualised act of honouring or ‘shout-outs’, they pay tribute to those from whom they have learned, with whom they have built something, or who have shaped them. Together with the audience, they want to honour the often overlooked yet so important work of family, friends, neighbours or casual acquaintances through ‘shout-outs’. This practice emerged during the Great Migration movement in the USA, has its origins in African-American churches and later became popular in the hip-hop community.

The theatre production ‘Movements’ is co-produced by Gessnerallee and has been in development since October 2024. Due to illness within the team, the original premiere in March 2025 has been postponed. Inspired and fascinated by the fact that the ‘shout-out’ originally originated in African-American churches, we are delighted to celebrate the premiere of ‘Movements’ in a church setting, in the chapel of the Kulturhaus Helferei.

Information on accessibility and language

  • The performance is mainly in spoken English with some small moments in Swiss German, and Arabic languages.

  • The event takes places as a Relaxed Performance, where you are free to move around the space or stim.

  • The venue (Kulturhaus Helferei) has step free access, though Zurich old town can be a challenge for wheelchair users. 

  • There is an accessible toilet with grab rails to transfer to the toilet.

  • There will be a range of seating including chairs, beanbags or wheelchair space. 

  • Ear defenders and stimming toys will be available. 

  • There will be a chill out space to decompress. 

  • There will be low level lighting for the audience throughout the space. 

  • There are moments of invitation to participate, these are optional and can also be done in a more private manner.

  • Further information on accessibility will be added on an ongoing basis and may change until the day of the premiere, as the performance is currently being developed.

Copyright: Michael Meili

Copyright: Michael Meili

Copyright: Michael Meili

Back to top