Description
Standing like a pain in the ass of the universe
A woman climbs atop a utility box, casts off her veil, and dances. Right in the heart of a world that averts its eyes in shame.
This piece speaks of revolutions that crumble only to ignite once more. Of art that preserves life – yet carries a deadly price. Of women stripped of everything who rise nonetheless. Who remain. Who defy. Unsettling. Unsilenced. A relentless surge toward a brighter horizon.
In fall of 2022, Ayat Najafi led a series of underground theater workshops in Tehran during the women’s uprising. From this work, an ensemble emerged, which he has continued to develop in Berlin with international artists since 2023.
By and with Asma Asadizadeh, Nasrin Derakhshanzadeh, Johanna Lemke; text, direction: Ayat Najafi; stage, costume: Sabina Moncys; choreography: Frank Willens; video: Guillaume Lenoble; music: Sébastien Apert; dramaturgy: Sarah Marée; cast video: Amin Simiar, Parastoo Nouri, Zeynab Shabanian, Isabelle Delava Najafi; off sound: Katja Gaudard; interview: Carolin Wiedenbröker, Christiane Mudra, Jule Flierl, Melanie Seewald; technical direction, light design: Fabian Eichner; assistant director: Luca Lehnert Stage; costume design assisant: Larissa Gulitz; production management: ehrliche arbeit - freies Kulturbüro; production: Teheran Arta Atelier.
A production by Ayat Najafi and Arta Atelier Kollektiv in cooperation with Ballhaus Ost and Theater an der Ruhr, funded by the Capital Cultural Fund. In collaboration with the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and Goethe-Institut im Exil. With the kind support of Château de Monthelon.
115 Minutes / EN , DE & PER
Dates:
- Mar 26, 2026, 8 pm
- Mar 27, 2026, 8 pm (with a discussion with the audience)
- Mar 28, 2026, 8 pm
- Mar 29, 2026, 6 pm
Location
Accessibility information
Contact
Duha Almusaddar
Projektmanagerin im Palästina- und Jordanienbüro, Referat Westasien, Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung