The Urbanatix project has long since achieved cult status: originally conceived for the Capital of Culture RUHR.2010, the formation stands for thrilling shows that offer a furious mix of urban movement arts. With “Urbanatix: Essence”, the creators are now venturing into the theater for the first time and have reduced and concentrated their spectacular movement language without losing the essentials. “Urbanatix: Essence” is set in a dystopian future scenario: a group of people live somewhere at the end of the world with no contact to the rest of civilization. The ensemble of ten multi-talented performers explores the essential questions of life and asks what actually connects us to our fellow human beings.

Christian Eggert, artistic director, stage direction
Frank Hörner, director, dramaturgy
Henner Kallmeyer, dramaturgy
Sebastian Maier, musical direction
Natalia Nowakowski, choreography
Rémi Martin Lenz, artistic coaching
Sascha Hinz, stage design
Rainer Nilius, stage construction
Christopher Lensing, motion design
Natalia Nordheimer, set, costume
Andreas Jüngermann, technical direction, lighting
Philipp Wistinghausen, sound

Alonso Gonzalez Barria, juggling; Fenja Barteldres, Cyr Wheel; Gareth Charles, acting, singing; Joanna Mae Escobar, urban dance; Felix Küpper, urban dance; Laya Mauelshagen, trapeze, aerial acrobatics, dance; Paul Davis Newgate, urban dance, Carlotta Ribbe, music, Oskar Skrypko Chinese Pole, urban dance, Dergin “Stix” Tokmak breakdance, acrobatics on crutches

Sebastian Gies Project organisation
Lynn Dokoohaki, Emma Khadija Herrmann, Zeynep Topal, assistant directors
Julian Bittner, Paul Knust, Hendrik Plümacher, Helena Sohn, shadowing
Young Soo Chang, Heinrich Holtgreve, Eva Berten, photo

Urbanatix: Essence is a co-production of URBANATIX, Theater Kohlenpott & Flottmann-Hallen Herne / City of Herne in collaboration with Schauspielhaus Bochum and Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen. Funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.