Treffen junge Szene
Dance
Spark
Emma Fischer-Fels, Malu Thiersch, Ben Stüttgen
tanzhaus nrw, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia
Spark © private
“Spark” is a piece about individuality, passion, and the shared connections that emerge from both. Rooted in our personal experiences and everyday lives, we have transformed these through our creativity into dance. At the centre of the production are human relationships, the influence of external forces on the individual and, above all, the joy of dancing. How do we express ourselves? How do we communicate? And what role does dance play in all of this?
The first version of “Spark” was a five-minute excerpt, developed and premiered during a performance session led by Takao Baba at tanzhaus nrw. From there, new ideas emerged and the project evolved. We explored various directions, experimenting with different styles and expressions. These explorations led to the development of several parts that we eventually fused into a cohesive whole – a reflection of our diverse experiences and dance backgrounds.
Throughout the process, we discovered a shared language – dance as a means of communication. Music has always played a vital role in this. It connects people, it allows communication beyond words. When a song touches all three of us equally, a connection is formed, a kind of non-verbal understanding. Dance can create that same connection, but for us, dance needs music. Every track in this piece was chosen because it moves all of us and sparks something within.
The title “Spark” refers to the initial energy that inspired our rehearsals: that moment when excitement ignites something inside you. The spark, for us, symbolises enthusiasm, immersion, drive, and passion. Sometimes, that spark may fade or seem lost, but it never truly disappears. It’s always there, even when hidden. Trust.
All of this and more is what “Spark” is about.
Jury Statement by Sonia Franken
„Let’s go with it.“
The trio in “Spark” captivates with a refreshing, original, and expressive movement language. At the heart of the piece lies the search for one’s identity within the collective, and the dynamic tension between the individual and the group.
The dancers experiment boldly and playfully with elements from styles such as House, Hip-Hop, and Breaking, developing from these a distinct and emotionally rich physical vocabulary centered on the theme of identity. Their conscious blending and transformation of different movement idioms reveals a thoughtful and deliberate engagement with a wide range of dance forms. The ability not merely to reference but to transform diverse influences into an independent and authentic choreographic voice is a mark of artistic maturity.
Particularly striking is their sensitive use of silence in the transitions between musical tracks. The trio constantly reconfigures, encountering one another in shifting constellations, traversing the space in multifaceted ways, and generating an infectious energy. Their movements are articulate, fluid, and buoyant—yet also powerful and approachable. And the spark truly jumps: the performance energises the audience, awakening a desire to move, to jump, to glide, and to groove.
This trio shines not only through its strong performative presence but also through the collective nature of its choreographic process. “Let’s go with it”, one of them said in a post-show discussion when asked about their approach. And lean in they did—into shared research, trial and error, abandoned ideas, and new beginnings. It is a process that takes courage and is by no means a given. Together, they weathered highs and lows, transforming setbacks into creative momentum and, in doing so, forged a choreographic voice that is distinctly their own.
This collaborative and open mode of working—and their willingness to embrace the unfamiliar—demonstrates deep trust: in one another, in themselves, and in the power of dance.
The production also stands as a powerful example of what the dance education team at tanzhaus nrw makes possible through its sustained, dedicated work. It highlights the essential role that structures like this play in fostering cultural education, agency, and artistic independence among young people.
“Spark” is an outstanding example of the vitality and potential of contemporary dance. The jury is deeply impressed by the trio’s creativity, precision, and presence—and warmly congratulates them on this inspiring work!
With and by
Emma Fischer-Fels, Malu Thiersch, Ben Stüttgen
Ansgar Kluge – technical support
Lena Schmidt – administrative support