Miscellaneous

Teacher

Ceren Oran, you are leading a five-day workshop at Tanzwerkstatt Europa. How did that come about?
Last year, I gave a talk at Tanzwerkstatt for young dance students about my journey as a choreographer. Afterwards, I wanted to share my choreographic tools and experiences in a practical way. Together with the festival team, we agreed that this choreographic laboratory would be a good next step.

What can the participants expect?
For me, choreographing is the ability to translate what moves me personally into dance and to make it accessible to a wider audience as a shared experience. This creative process will be the focus: I will share how I transform personal themes or societal events into a concept, choreographic images, and a performance. I also want to talk about collaboration: Who do I want to work with? And how do I convey the project's intent to these people?

What is your favorite moment in the creative process?
There are many! The premiere is always a highlight. I also love standing before a blank slate at the beginning of a process. And the moment when you see "the light at the end of the tunnel": There is still a lot to do, but you feel that the piece is going to work.

Are there things you don’t like?
Every process has its knotty moments. I no longer find them unpleasant; instead, I can accept them as part of creative work. I wouldn’t want to do without them, either—otherwise, it would be boring!

Did you have a mentor who guided you in your artistic work?
Your own experience is your most important mentor. I will share my knowledge in the workshop, but choreography can only be learned by doing it yourself. Still, I’ve always had great supporters along the way. Working collectively is essential to me, and my collaborators often become my mentors as well.

Interview: Leonie Stöckle

Dance for People – From Ideas to Premieres, a workshop for professional dancers from 10 to 14 August as part of Tanzwerkstatt Europa which takes place from 4 to 14 August; 

www.jointadventures.net