Click here to read this page in English
A danced manifesto for peace in cocreation with Indigenous artists from North America
Two men meet.
In their bodies lies their strength. Both dancers live in the here and now. Yet, they are connected by a complex colonial history. One is the child of survivors, the other the heir of oppressors. Two worlds that clash. Is peace possible?
ROOM IN OUR HOUSE brings a groundbreaking counter narrative in this time of crises. Inspired by the centuries-old peace treaty between the Dutch and the Haudenosaunee, the NBP team immersed themselves in their community in the United States. A world of democracy, equality, and gentleness. Directed by inspirational speaker Michelle Schenandoah (Oneida/Haudenosaunee) and choreographer/theater director Nicole Beutler (Dutch-German), with texts by Indigenous writer and activist Ty Defoe, ROOM IN OUR HOUSE invites the audience to explore each individual's responsibility in peacemaking.
CLOSE ENCOUNTER / FUTURE STORIES
After completing the climate trilogy with the dance opera NOW WE ARE EARTH, Nicole Beutler Projects focuses on new perspectives on the future of humanity on Earth. Here, political-poetic performances are created that strive for an inclusive society and bring attention to social justice and Indigenous knowledge. For this production, Beutler sought a collaboration with Michelle Schenandoah, founder of Rematriation - an organization invested in uplifting Indigenous women’s voices.
ROOM IN OUR HOUSE contains English spoken text.
About Nicole Beutler
Nicole Beutler is an internationally acclaimed choreographer and artistic director known for her interdisciplinary works at the intersection of performance, dance, visual arts and music theatre. For ROOM IN OUR HOUSE, Beutler sought collaboration with Michelle Schenandoah (Oneida/Haudenosaunee), Indigenous inspirational speaker and founder of Rematriation. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to uplifting Indigenous women’s voices and raising consciousness towards living in balance with Mother Earth. Nicole Beutler’s projects are driven by the desire for a potentially better society. All of Beutler’s activities are an invitation to connect and to reflect critically on the human existence. For years, her work has highlighted the connection to the climate crisis. Indigenous knowledge and climate justice form the next step in search of a shared future, that is always rooted in the body.
Credits, cast & crew
concept & direction Michelle Schenandoah (Oneida/Haudenosaunee), Nicole Beutler (NL/DE) / choreography Nicole Beutler in collaboration with the cast / dancers Montana Summers (Oneida), Rob Polmann (NL/DE) / storyteller Montana Adams (Mohawk) / text Ty Defoe (Oneida/Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe), Michelle Schenandoah / Music Gary Shepherd (NL/UK, composition), Ty Defoe (drums + flute), Adah Schenandoah (Oneida, singer + drums) / costumes Tisha Thompson (Mohawk), Jessica Helbach (NL) / decor Jessica Helbach (NL) with Tim Vermeulen (NL) / dramaturgy Justa ter Haar (NL), Igor Dobričić (SRB) / cultural consultants Neal Powless (Onondaga), Diane Schenandoah (Oneida)
lighting design Tim Vermeulen (NL) / sound design Maurits Thiel (NL) / produced by Nicole Beutler Projects (NL) in collaboration with Rematriation (USA) / support USA Syracuse Stage, The Treman Center / support NL Performing Arts Fund NL, Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, Fonds 21, Ammodo Art, Netherland-America Foundation
Twee mannen ontmoeten elkaar. In hun lichamen schuilt hun kracht. Beide dansers leven in het hier en nu. Tegelijkertijd zijn ze verbonden door een complexe koloniale geschiedenis. De een is kind van overlevenden, de ander erfgenaam van overheersers. Twee werelden die op elkaar botsen. Is vrede mogelijk?
Vierhonderd jaar geleden voeren Nederlandse schepen de Hudsonrivier op en ontmoetten zij de Haudenosaunee, de oorspronkelijke bewoners van Noord-Amerika. Tussen beide groepen ontstond een bijzondere overeenkomst: de Two Row Wampum. Twee lijnen die naast elkaar over de rivier van het leven reizen – ieder met een eigen koers, zonder de ander te overheersen.
Voor ROOM IN OUR HOUSE verdiepte Nicole Beutler Projects zich in de geschiedenis, cultuur en kennis van de Haudenosaunee. Onder regie van Michelle Schenandoah (Oneida/Haudenosaunee) en choreograaf Nicole Beutler, met teksten van schrijver en activist Ty Defoe (Oneida/Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe), ontstaat een voorstelling waarin dans, muziek en tekst samenkomen.
ROOM IN OUR HOUSE nodigt uit om na te denken over samenleven, verantwoordelijkheid en vrede. Niet als vanzelfsprekend gegeven, maar als iets waar we steeds opnieuw vorm aan moeten geven.
De voorstelling is het eerste hoofdstuk van CLOSE ENCOUNTER / Future Stories, een nieuwe reeks van Nicole Beutler Projects over ontmoetingen met andere perspectieven op de wereld en de toekomst van de mens op aarde.
