The Unspeakable

Creation and performance: Telmo Branco                                                                                      

Sound Design: Marcelo Schmittner

Residency dates: 5 recording sessions with a prior preparation day between the 10th of March and 30st of April of 2021.

"The Unspeakable" sensibly addresses the reality of childhood sexual abuse and its impact in the notions of memory and identity in adulthood.

The aim of this performance activism is not to illustrate this traumatic reality, but rather reflect the environment of secrecy and oppression that perpetuates it.

"The Unspeakable" reflects childhood sexual abuse through a queer lens, while addressing the stigmatization of queerness when associated with sexual abuse. This performance project responds to that stigma by presenting queerness as the abolishment of heteronormative toxic relational patterns that condone violence and abuse, and the nurturing ground for compassion, empowerment, hope and transformation, indispensable for healing.

Within the depths of sorrow "The Unspeakable" incites empowerment, rebuilding and celebration. "My story is your story" said Hannah Gadsby. We are far more than our traumas dictate. Telling our stories is letting our traumatic histories exist as valid living testimonies, as independent learnings no longer attached to us. My story is your story. Your story is my story. My liberation is yours.

"The Unspeakable" is funded by DISTANZEN Solo | Dachverband Tanz Deutschland and NeustartKultur.

#share [english below]
Einblicke in künstlerische Arbeitsprozesse

"Mit dem virtuellen Projekt #share bietet der Acker Stadt Palast Gruppen und Künstler*innen ab sofort einen Rahmen, sich künstlerisch auszuprobieren und zugleich mit ihrem Publikum auch ohne Live-Auftritt in Kontakt zu treten. Das Format ist ein Experiment - für alle Beteiligten.

Künstler*innen geben Einblicke in ihre Arbeits-und Probenprozesse und teilen sie online über die Kanäle des Acker Stadt Palasts. Das Publikum, die Nutzer*innen von Facebook und instagram sind herzlich eingeladen, Feedback zu posten und erhalten auf diesem Weg die Möglichkeit, als Co-Regisseur*innen und Dramaturg*innen zu agieren, um so aktive Prozesse mitzugestalten.

#share "The Unspeakable" / Telmo Branco

Idee und Ziel des kollaborativen Projekts "The Unspeakable" ist es, einen kreativen Prozess anzustoßen, in dem soziale und politische Konzepte mit tänzerischen und theatralen Mitteln erkundet werden. Wie kann ein Trauma künstlerisch reflektiert und dargestellt werden und was sind die historischen Aspekte, die individuelle Traumata zu kollektiven Erfahrungen werden lassen?"

Die Aufführung ist geplant im Mai 2022

#share
Insight into artistic work processes

"With the virtual project #share, the Acker Stadt Palast now offers groups and artists a framework to try out their artistic skills and at the same time to get in touch with their audience via online. The format is an experiment - for everyone involved.

Artists give insights into their work and rehearsal processes and share them online via the channels of the Acker Stadt Palast. The audience, the users of Facebook and instagram are invited to post feedback and get the opportunity to act as co-directors and dramaturges in order to actively shape the processes.

#share "The Unspeakable" / Telmo Branco

The idea and aim of the collaborative project "The Unspeakable" is to initiate a creative process that explores social and political concepts through dance and theatrical means. How can trauma be reflected and represented artistically and what are the historical aspects that make individual traumas collective?"

The performance is planned for May 2022

#share, "The Unspeakable"  - Rehearsal Episode 1

#share, "The Unspeakable" - Rehearsal Episode 2

#share, "The Unspeakable" - Rehearsal Episode 3

#share, "The Unspeakable" - Rehearsal Episode 4

#share, "The Unspeakable" - [Final] Rehearsal Episode 5