OZ – Der Zauber in uns (english)

von Joy Alpuerto Ritter

age rating 10 / 5th grade

Surrounded by storm and chaos, a dancer wakes up in a black stage space. In search of her home, she encounters other dancers, with whom communication becomes complicated. A dance journey along the golden path begins, where hip-hop, breaking, and modern dance meet contemporary dance, and the dance styles begin to merge.

Choreographer Joy Alpuerto Ritter brings the characters from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz back to life and presents a modern interpretation of this world-famous cinematic musical. In this new version, it is staged for the first time as an urban dance fairytale. Four dancers and a special shoe embark on a journey, dealing with fear, experiencing exclusion, questioning hierarchies that once seemed unquestionable, and getting lost. Can one find oneself in times of crisis?

© René Löffler/Lucian Patermann

Idea and Choreography: Joy Alpuerto Ritter
Dance: Alba De Miguel Fuertes, Joshua Nsubuga, Joy Alpuerto Ritter, Liam Wustrack
Dramaturgy: Livia Patrizi
Music/Sounddesign: Sion Trefor
Song „Ein goldener Weg“: Max Prosa
Visuals/Stage design: Lucian Patermann
Costumes: Linda Spörl
Light design: Fabian Bleisch
Script/Texts: Lukas Steltner
Narrator’s voice: Livia Patrizi

The performances on January 21st and 22nd will take place as part of  PURPLE – Internationales Tanzfestival für junges Publikum .

Awarded the IKARUS Theater Prize 2023

In the category of youth theater.

| From the jury’s laudation. |

„Elements of modern dance, breakdance, and contemporary dance are cleverly combined with individual moves and rhythmically arranged spoken passages. By focusing on key elements of the original, it works even for those who are not familiar with the film or the book. And it shows how little material is needed for a captivating production: four strong dancers, a precise, thrilling choreography, and carefully placed sound and color accents. […] Thank you for this piece full of energy, that sparks a passion for dance, celebrates diversity, and instills confidence. The expert jury says: Congratulations on the IKARUS 2023!“ (Teresa Schomburg)

Mediation