By Almut Wregg and Mirko Israel
„Tabula Rasa“ is the title of an international co-production between the dance theatre “Ich bin ok!” from Vienna (AU), Landesbühnen Sachsen (Radebeul, DE), secondary school Kötzschenbroda (Radebeul) and Hans-Radl-school (Vienna).
Three pieces were created, all connected by the theme of “new beginnings and new starts”. The first is a dance piece staged by professional dancers with and without trisomy 21, while the other two were created in a school project week with inclusive classes. All three pieces were created in an inclusive collaboration.
Each school project lasted a week and ended with a performance. The class 7a in Radebeul consisted of 21 students, five of which had special educational needs. The school in Vienna consisted of six people with disabilities and two without. None of them had any formal theatre experience.
In Radebeul the students created pieces based on workshops and excursions to the Landesbühne Sachsen, including guided tours and rehearsal visits. While in Vienna the students explored the idea of an unwritten paper (a concept defined by Freud), which they used as artistic material for their performance.
In the creation of the performance both schools received artistic support from theatre teacher Almut Wregg and dance assistant Alex Stuchlik from Vienna. In several workshops and games, they provided group and movement impulses which the students could then incorporate into their own creative ideas on the theme. The result was a diverse theatre performance for a large audience, including parents and relatives of the students, as well as interested visitors attending the school’s “open day“. All plays received a thunderous applause.
It was an unforgettable week. Everyone enjoyed making theatre. Not only did they gain new experiences, but they also had the chance to grow together as a community. Previously hidden talents were revealed, other sides of themselves were discovered and even fears were conquered. None of the participants left this event without having learned something or surpassed themselves in some way.
Later, the class 7a had a chance to watch a video of the performance by the school in Vienna and attend a performance of the dance piece at the Landesbühnen Sachsen.
Student quotes:
I didn’t expect acting to be so interesting. (Alina, 7a)
Today I thought it was cool that we were allowed to go “backstage” and learn how everything works. I have to say that I was very nervous during the theatre exercises. I dared to try a few things. It was fun! (Lilly, 7a)
The workshop was tougher than we thought it would be, but today we were allowed to create our own play. Nick, Kevin and I created a very funny skit. We were also allowed to watch a rehearsal. That was very cool to watch. I’m also looking forward to tomorrow because we get to work on our play some more. (Jamie, 7a)
I thought it was very cool today. You can gain a lot of experience through the play. I didn’t think that we would get along so well in the group. I hope that we will continue tomorrow and that the play will go well on Friday. (Leni, 7a)
Today definitely went better than yesterday! I hope everything goes well tomorrow and we make the audience laugh (in a positive sense). (Mia, 7a)
I liked the exercises this morning. I feel good in my role. (Maximilian, 7a)
