Faizah Grootens (2022-Now)
UNWRITTEN (2027)
In Unwritten, Grootens’ next production at Korzo Theater, The Hague, dancers Justin Brown and Matheus Moreira move through a landscape of often unwritten rules. What plays out invisibly in that one, seemingly simple moment when two bodies meet? What expectations, codes, and tensions simmer beneath the surface?
For this work Grootens will work with a team with whom she has a longstanding relationship, such as the dancers Justin Brown and Matheus Moreira and the composer Michael Lampe. Dramaturg Marc Maris will be working closely with Grootens and the costume design by Eddy van der Laan, Atelier Clement.
For Unwritten, a residency was carried out in collaboration with SHIFFT, within the framework of iCoDaCo (co-founded by the European Union). This also resulted in an open studio presentation, for which Jesse Bom made this video
AQUÍ NADA MÁS (2025)
Four people in a waiting state. An easy task it seems. But while the time passes, bodies get restless, priorities shift, minds go running and relationships get tense. The only task is to be here. How hard can it be?
Choreography: Faizah Grootens in collaboration with the dancers
Dance: Pedro Henry, Mattia Trematerra, Adi Amit and Noor Argov Dayan
Composer: Michael Lampe
Dramaturgy: Marc Maris
Light design: Remko van Wely
Special Thanks to: Thomas Fauc, Conny Janssen, Erik Spruijt, Jimmy Pierre de Graaf, Korzo and Jasper van Luijk.
Research: Matheus Moreira, Rubia Veth and SHIFFT
Tender Resistance (2024)
Two dancers engage in an intense physical conversation: their bodies seek each other out, graze against one another and sometimes come to outright collision. Through all these movements, a fierce yet fragile duet emerges, one in which you can feel how how complicated it is to remain vulnerable in a world full of conflict and harshness. Faizah drew inspiration for this piece from the sensitivity and temperament of Papiamentu and from the words of American actress Viola Davis.
The duet is performed by Amber Veltman and Evelien Jansen. Evelien was nominated for her role in this duet for the VSCD Dance Prize ‘Zwaan – Most Impressive Dance Performance 2025’.
With fluid movement and raw honesty, the dancers in Tender Resistance show how difficult and how necessary it is to remain open to one another. The performance features text in Papiamentu. A Dutch and English translation is available as a handout.
Production: Korzo
Choreography: Faizah Grootens in collaboration with Evelien Jansen and Amber Veltman
Dance: Evelien Jansen and Amber Veltman
Composer: Michael Lampe
Dramaturgy: Marc Maris
Light design: Lisette van der Linden
Outside eye: Leo Spreksel
Text: Nathania Engelhardt
Spoken word: Elia Isenia
Production: Mirjam Dales
Marketing: Jevina Zhou, Mitchell-lee van Rooij, Shewska Verberne Pantoja
Special thanks to: Aryeh Weiner, Jeroen Heuvel, Scott Rollins
While you’re here - Tanten bo t’aki (2022)
Tanten bo t’aki is Papiamentu for “while you’re here”. With this playful and intimate duet choreographer Faizah Grootens creates a bodily research of the constant moving spine and the relation between synchronicity and individuality. Two people share a personal space, their connection is undeniable. But what exists when they’re together and who are they individually? In a constant motion the two dancers wave through the performance. But in the end they’re not by themselves, you are there as well.
Choreography: Faizah Grootens in collaboration with Evelien Jansen and Justin Brown
Dance: Evelien Jansen and Justin Brown
Composer: Michael Lampe
Dramaturgy: Marc Maris
Light design: Sanne Rosbag
Outside eye: Nicole Geertruida
Production: Mirjam Dales
Marketing: Mitchell-lee van Rooij
Photos: Sjoerd Derine
faizahgrootens.com