Performers and authors from Asia, Africa, Australia, America and Europe brought an innovative show to the Global NDC Conference: The Climate Pop-up Theatre!
Short drama pieces were created especially for this conference, inspired by its themes and setting—although all conference participants were encouraged to replicate the show and set up a climate pop-up theatre in their home country. For 30 minutes, conference participants dived into an emotional sea with theatrical islands of hope, transition and network. The performance led participants to the power of women and of theatre to create utopian narratives of near and far future(s) as well as into deep insights of unknown realities.
Everyone was invited to reflect on their roles in creating these futures and the narratives needed to tackle the climate crisis: What motivates and drives you and me? The society? The world? How can you reach the audience you need in order to transform current realities?
The climate crisis has assumed dramatic dimensions. Theatre can be a place of self-assurance, a part of cultural memory and a venue for dealing with urgent problems in society. Plays touch people on a direct, emotional level and can function as an indicator of the local significance of a particular theme. The more countries in question are affected by the consequences of climate change, the more the theme is treated on stage.
Anthropogenic climate change and the conflict between nature and human being are not only dramatic but also quite theatrical, which becomes evident from the multifaceted works of the theatre people in different climate regions. Global society is about to face one of its greatest challenges, one which will have an enormous impact on the preservation of peace. The stories staged in theatres offer audiences the chance to gain a very personal insight into local problems. The language of theatre links people worldwide, and international networking has the potential to enable visions of a just future to be worked out jointly and irrespective of national borders and interests, coalitions to be formed, and mutual responsibility to be taken.
Realisation credits:
Natalie Driemeyer: Curator / concept / realisation
Anita Demuth: Concept / coordination
Anna Peschke: Live collage / design
Sophia Stepf: Dramaturgy / realisation
Wukir Suryadi: Music
Kollateralschaden: Costumes
Performers:
Arahmaiani
Laura Maria Hänsel
Mala Ghedia
Sasapin Siriwanij
Performance texts:
Katie Pearl: “Appreciation”
Hannah Giorgis: “Not on my block”
Drew Dellinger: “It´s 3:23 in the morning”