G U M M I T W I S T 2 0 1 8
Supporting the challenge to jump
Gummitwist is a nurturing program hosted by Theater Felina-Areal, Mannheim. The project is meant to
support the development of 3 beginning to mid career choreographers based within in the Rhein-Neckar
Region of Mannheim, Germany. Artistically directed by the Heidelberg choreographer Edan Gorlicki,
Gummitwist aims to offer choreographers guidance and support towards improving their practice and craft.
The focus of mentoring is on numerous layers from artistic to structural and practical. The goal is not to
produce new works but rather recognize and embrace the process of growth within the work. Artists will be
challenged to focus on their style of work, communication skills with performers, understanding of
dramaturgy, decision making, time management, publicity, how to communicate their work via text,
entrepreneurial skills, how to receive feedback and how to take an external look at their work.
THE PROGRAM
The program will begin with a workshop week guided by highly qualified guest from the independent dance
field. This workshop week will bring the selected artists together to spend the time discussing and working
on different aspects of the choreographic art form.
The artists will then separate to work on their creation/experimentation phase of the program. This period
will allow the artists to test their ideas and working methods closely guided by their mentor. All
choreographers will work with professional performers of their choice from the regional independent dance
community. Dancers will as well play a guiding role for the choreographers and will participate in the
feedback sessions.
Finally, the choreographers will come together to present their research to the general public at Theater
Felina-Areal. The presentations are a sharing of experience meant to offer the public an insight to the
creation process and an opportunity for the artists to receive feedback from the public. The artistic director
will moderate the presentations.
Each choreographer selected will be offered financial support to work with dancers/performers, a modest
production budget and fee. Artists will be chosen by a pre-selected jury of professionals based on written
applications, online videos of work (if any) and interviews.
The mentoring strategies will be constructed and designed together with each selected artist based on the
needs and interests of the choreographers in relation to their artistic visions and goals.
TIMEFRAME