Rita Mazza

Rita Mazza (they/she) is a Visual Sign Choreographer and performance artist based in Berlin. They work within contemporary dance, sign languages and visual poetry as well as as an actor and sign language interpreter/ performer. As a native signer from a Deaf family, sign language has always been at the center of their identity and artistic expression. Born in Turin, Italy, their first language is Italian Sign Language (LIS). They are furthermore fluent in German (DGS) and International Sign Language (IS) and have good knowledge of French (LSF). 

Their path of professionalization began at the University of Music, Performing Arts, Cinema and New Media in Turin and was further shaped by the various works in festivals, performances and collaborations across Europe. In 2015 their leading role in the award-winning play “Children of a Lesser God” directed by Marco Mattolini, successfully introduced them to professional (hearing) theaters. From 2018 to 2020 they were invited to join the Festival del Silenzioin Milan as artistic director. 

In 2021 Mazza was an artist-in-residence at the Berlin hub “Making a Difference”and deepened their explorations in sign language and dance, leading to their first solo work “Dandelion II” (2021). Their following creation “Space 1880”(2021) was co-produced by the Sophiensaele Berlin. In 2024 their work “Matters of Rhythm”(2023–24) was presented at Tanzplattform Deutschland, which showcases the most innovative and remarkable works in contemporary dance. Their current project, “The Voice”(2024–26), premiered at Tanz im August and continues to tour internationally. 

Alongside their own artistic works, Mazza is an active consultant and curator for sign language access in the performing arts and served as a guest curator for the international Festival Theaterformen in 2023. They also offer workshops about their practice of Visual Sign Choreography and Aesthetics of Access in which they focus on sign language as an integral artistic part and process of the creation.