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Gessnerallee und ZÜRICH TANZT

«PERCEPTIONS»
The Collective - Anna Chiedza Spörri

Dance

Impressive dance and moving text explore the (self-)perception of Black men in Switzerland through attributions, expectations and self-empowerment.

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  • Wed 06/0519:00–20:15

    Follow-up discussion with the dancers

    Halle

  • Thu 07/0519:00–20:15

    Followed by a discussion with Anna Chiedza Spörri

    Halle

  • Fri 08/0521:00–22:15

    Halle

  • Sat 09/0518:00–19:15

    Chill & Talk before the performance from 2:00–4:00 pm

    Halle

‘PERCEPTIONS’ encourages viewers to critically examine their own perceptions of black men. Copyright: Laura Gauch

‘PERCEPTIONS’ by choreographer Anna Chiedza Spörri explores how Black men are perceived in Switzerland and how this external gaze affects their self-image. Using choreographic means, Anna Chiedza Spörri and the four dancers analyse the tension between restriction and liberation, between expectations and realities. Therefore, stereotypes and microaggressions, which can lead to violence, are carefully recorded, deconstructed and reflected upon. Dance and spoken word are interwoven to show how racism is experienced and, at the same time, challenge the audience to fundamentally question their own perceptions of Black men.

«Everyday racism influences my image of myself. It influences my behaviour. Perhaps my thinking. I have learned not to react. I have learned to pull myself together. To make myself small. And at the same time, I am expected to show only strength. To take up a lot of space. These are conflicting expectations, an irreconcilable duality.»
Earle Garnette

The performances on 8 and 9 May are part of ZÜRICH TANZT.

Supporting programme

In the foyer, a book table curated by the ‘PERCEPTIONS’ team offers the opportunity to explore the themes of the piece in greater depth.

On Wednesday, 6 May, there will be a 60-minute discussion with the dancers from the production following the performance.

On Thursday, 7 May, following the performance, there will be a 45-minute discussion with Anna Chiedza Spörri, aimed primarily at school classes in attendance.

The discussions will be moderated by Yannis Maviaki and will be held in spoken English. Whispered translation is possible.

On Saturday 9 May, from14:00 to 16:00, a ‘Chill & Talk’ session will take place. In a safe space exclusively for Black men, participants are invited to share their experiences, perspectives, and topics related to identity, everyday life, and empowerment in a relaxed atmosphere. The discussion will be held in English and facilitated by Joden Joseph. Translation into German is possible. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to watch the performance together.

Information on accessibility and language 

  • Stepless access

  • Age: Recommended for ages 12 and up

  • Languages: In English, Swiss German, French spoken language with translation via surtitles.

  • Content notes: The performance explicitly addresses the experiences of racism faced by men of colour and the psychological strain this causes.

  • Lighting: During the entrance, the auditorium is brightly lit. The play begins with a complete blackout. At the back of the stage there are spotlights which occasionally dazzle the front rows of the audience and also shine directly onto the front row. The audience area remains dark throughout the performance. The outline of the room stays visible.

  • Sound: Intense, loud music is used repeatedly throughout the performance. At times, the bass is slightly noticeable.

  • Other sensory stimuli: At the end of the play, transparent, slightly reflective curtains drop from the ceiling with a clack near the front row, separating the stage from the audience.

  • Audience and interaction: Upon entering, the audience is invited to take a card that provides inspiration for experiencing the performance. In one scene, the dancers run towards the audience and stop at the front edge of the stage near row 0. At the end of the piece, PoCs are invited onto the stage.

  • Perceptions is a dance piece.

    It is about how people in Switzerland view Black men.

    The piece shows that many people have prejudices.

    Prejudices can be hurtful.

    Four dancers use dance and spoken word to show what that feels like.

    The piece also poses questions to the audience:

    • How do you view Black men?

    • Is that view correct?

  • Artistic direction, text & choreography:
    Anna Chiedza Spörri
    Dance & collaboration on text and choreography:
    Earle Ira Garnette Jr., Astro Raiz Scheidegger Jorge, Clément Klimbié Porquet, Moa Yamin Bomolo
    Music:
    Kadjali «Kali» Kabba
    Music (solo):
    Clément Klimbié Porquet
    Set design:
    Moa Yamin Bomolo
    Costumes:
    Gaëlle Da Costa
    Text collaboration:
    Fatima Moumouni
    Vocal coaching:
    Igihozo
    Awareness, care & supporting programme:
    Joden Joseph, Yannis Maviaki, Gifti Tekako
    Lighting design:
    Romane Lavigne
    Technical implementation:
    Daniel Tschanz / Nuance
    Photography and trailer:
    Laura Gauch
    External eye:
    Pascale (Baba) Altenburger, Rena Brandenberger
    Movement assistant:
    Sophie Chioma Gerber
    Rehearsal assistant:
    Hendro Lendys
    Production management & distribution:
    Andrea Grossenbacher
    In Co-production with:
    Dampfzentrale, Gessnerallee, Bühne Aarau
    Special thanks to:
    Lu Malach, Riatssan Srikanthan, Mona-Lisa Kole, Chloé Wanner, Ntando Cele, KB, Cheezie, Renate Spörri, René Maviaki, joelle Gbeassor, Saya & Miya Kaeser, Emilie Aeschlimann, Apurnika Sathes Kumar, Yuki Miranda, Carmen Lanzrein and Anil Sarikaya

  • Artistic direction, choreography: Anna Chiedza Spörri
    Anna Chiedza Spörri is a movement artist, choreographer, and creative activist based in Switzerland. She creates her own movement language by combining different dance styles and experimenting with spoken word to find different forms of expression. Her art is shaped by her own life experiences as a Black cis woman and the environment in which she moves, as well as by the stories she wants to tell. Through her work, she aims to provide a platform for BiPoC artists and facilitate their access. Anna has studied in various parts of the world and with renowned choreographers, including École des Sables (Senegal), Peri Dance Studio (USA), and Rhapsody James’ Motivating Excellence Program (USA) and in London. She choreographs for theater, artists, and films, performs, teaches, and creates between London and Switzerland. In 2022, her production ‘PERSPECTIVES’ was a finalist for the Premio – Young Talent Award and has been touring nationally and internationally ever since. She is currently working on a new production, ‘PERCEPTIONS’, which will premiere in January 2026 at the Dampfzentrale in Bern, Switzerland, and then go on tour.

    Dancer and choreographic collaboration: Earle Ira Garnette Jr.
    Earle Ira Garnette Jr. is a hip hop dancer and choreographer from Philadelphia. He has been living and working in Switzerland for two years. Earle completed the Rhapsody James program in Los Angeles. He is co-director of the dance studio and company ‘Academy of Phresh’ in Philadelphia. Earle has been teaching and choreographing for several years in the US and Europe. In Switzerland, he teaches hip hop and dances in various productions and companies (Company MEK, Rena Brandenberger, Anna Chiedza Spörri). In recent years, he has created short pieces for Limelight and Showroom (Geneva) and has been a choreographic assistant for Anna Chiedza Spörri and Company MEK.

    Dancer, stage design, and choreographic collaboration: Moa Yamin Bomolo
    Moa Yamin Bomolo is a renowned Swiss Bboy who has been at the forefront of the Swiss breaking elite for several years. He regularly participates in competitions at home and abroad. He stands out for his passion and discipline. With his expressive stage presence, he has also attracted the attention of theatre choreographers, touring nationally and internationally with both Company MEK ‘Father Politics’ and Cie Synergie.

    Dancer, choreographic collaboration, and music assistant: Clément Klimbié Porque
    Clément Klimbié Porquet joined dance in 2015. When he was 14 years old, he began dancing house dance for two years and then switched to hip-hop freestyle. Tatiana Desardouin was the main teacher and director at the now defunct school called ‘Centre Hip-Hop’. After four years, he finished his classes there and began dancing with his crew called ‘slyness’. With them, he did video battle training, among other things. Their mentors were Pascal Bois Bunon and Nora Klokoqi. In 2020, he began training at the Higher Technical College for Contemporary and Urban Stage Dance in Zurich.

    Dancer and choreographic collaboration: Astro Raiz Scheidegger Jorge
    Astro, 29, lives in Bern (Switzerland) and found his way to dance through breaking in 2011. His experience in amateur acrobatics continues to shape his dynamic and powerful style today. Through his curiosity, exchanges with actors in the European dance scene, and collaboration in various dance and circus projects, he is constantly developing his artistic expression. He has participated in productions such as Mosaik (Zirkus Chnopf, 2023), Futuristic Folktales (Charlotte McLean, 2022–2024), HOLES (Jamuna Mirjam Zweifel, 2024), and Put Yourself in My Place (remi demi, 2024). Since 2015, he has been a founding member of the Colour Jam Crew, where he organizes events and teaches breaking. He is also co-founder of the up-and-coming dance company ‘remi demi’, which is currently working on its first full-length piece, premiering in February 2026. His work thrives on his curiosity about dance and theatrical forms of expression, which he explores in depth and repeatedly brings to life in new contexts.

  • Kultur Stadt Bern, SWISSLOS/ Kultur Kanton Bern, Burgergemeinde Bern, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Gesellschaft zu Ober-Gerwern, Reso Tanznetwerk Schweiz, Tanzwerk 3011, café révolution

Copyright: Laura Gauch

Copyright: Laura Gauch

Copyright: Laura Gauch

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