Counter Balance

With Counter Balance, the Tanztriennale has launched a new residency format that creates space for Research and Short Creations. These residencies, lasting several weeks, take place between March and June 2026 at partner locations throughout Germany: HELLERAU - European Center for the Arts (Dresden), Hessian State Ballet (Darmstadt/Wiesbaden), LOFFT - DAS THEATER (Leipzig), Perform[d]ance (Stralsund), Studio Pro Arte - Dance House and Cultural Center (Freiburg), and tanzhaus nrw (Düsseldorf).

The two works created in the Short Creations section by the tandems Joseph Simon & Reiko Ohta and Lau Sin Yi & germain will be presented as 30-minute choreographies at the Opera Stabile in Hamburg during the Tanztriennale.

More information about Counter Balance - Residencies for Research and Creation can be found here.

Meet the artists

After the show on June 21, a discussion offers a rare window into the processes of the four tandems: what emerged, what surprised them, and what challenged them along the way. The artists also reflect on where they stand now and the paths opening ahead as their residencies draw to a close. An intimate and candid dialogue between makers at a meaningful threshold.

Tandem Artists for Research: Fabienne „Foxy“ Klüver & Sizwe „Sizwe031“ Mzimela, Aoife McAtamney & Lucy O’Donnell

Tandem Artists for Creation: Joseph Simon & Reiko Ohta, Lau Sin Yi & germain

Moderation by Counter Balance jury members: Iván Pérez (Artistic Director Dance Theatre Heidelberg), Monique Smith-McDowell (choreographer, performer, and audio describer)