Programme

Kareth Schaffer & Jonas Hauer

Bat Dances

26.–29.8.2026

English & German

Age recommendation: 12 years

Duration 1 h 00 min

“Bat Dances” uses movement, sound and humor to portray the world from a bat’s perspective while highlighting similarities between humans and animals. The performance is designed to be equally accessible and engaging for sighted, blind and visually impaired audiences.

How do different animal species perceive and experience the world — and how could dance contribute an answer to this question? In “Bat Dances”, choreographer Kareth Schaffer and composer Jonas Hauer create a work that offers an aesthetically coherent experience for seeing, blind, and visually impaired audiences. Their first collaboration is a danced monologue from the perspective of a bat, cautiously juxtaposing its movement patterns to those of humans. With the solo performer Leah Katz, the use of echolocation, and gentle humour, they weave an interspecies fable that helps us to navigate the reality of environmental doom.

Tickets

Full 22 €
Reduced 15 €

We offer a special youth ticket for this performance. Children and young people up to the age of 14 pay a special price of 5 € when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. 

Additional service fees for booking online with Reservix apply.

Co-productionPremiere
  • Audio
  • Downloads
  • Cast

    Artistic Direction & Choreography

    Kareth Schaffer

    Artistic Direction & Composition

    Jonas Hauer

    Dance & Performance

    Leah Katz

    Special Effects & Guest Performance

    Sefa Okutan

    Sound

    Andrea Parolin

    Costume

    Anna Mirkin

    Stage

    Dora Ðurkesac

    Stage set sewing

    Lux Ulonska

    Light

    Yair Vardi

    Sound & Media Composition Podcast

    Phillip Kullen

    Bat Tour Guide

    Christine Kuhnert

    Outreach

    Josephine Findeisen

    Production Management

    M.i.C.A.

    Outside eye

    Dani Brown

    Coaching

    Liz Williams

    Technical Production Management (HAU)

    Bernhard Linde

    Stage Technology (HAU)

    Michael Bauer, Sujin Choi, Jachya Freeth, Jan Hoffmann, Dominik Stillfried

    Lighting Technology (HAU)

    Maxi Richter, Leo Schneidermann, Claes Schwennen, Max Wegner, Sebastian Zamponi, Marc Zeuske

    Video Technology (HAU)

    Noam Gorbat

    Sound Technology (HAU)

    Rozenn Lièvre

    Costume Managers (Tanz im August)

    Gabi Bartels

  • Credits

    Production Kareth Schaffer // Construction Company

    Co-production Tanz im August / HAU Hebbel am Ufer

    Funded by Hauptstadtkulturfonds

    Thanks to Ariane Jeßulat, Stiftung Naturschutz Berlin

Further Information

Visitor note

The performance is conceived in accordance with the principles of ‘Aesthetics of Access’ , making it equally engaging for blind, visually impaired, and sighted audiences. Rather than using an additional audio description, a specially developed sound dramaturgy carries the action into the space, allowing it to be experienced through listening. The performer alternates between speaking in German and English. There are scenes with loud sounds, darkness, and bright light

Unfortunately, HAU3 is not accessible for wheelchair users. The theatre, located on the third floor, is reached via a staircase. There are no designated parking spaces at HAU3. The last several meters leading to the entrance of HAU3 are cobblestone.

Note: Both bat tours are fully booked.

On 27 August and 28 August, free bat tours will take place at 7:30 pm as part of the dance production. The tours are in German. English whisper translation is available on request.

Both the tours and the performances are designed for sighted, visually impaired, and blind audiences. More information on the tour can be found in the download section.

Please register in advance by email at festival@tanzimaugust.de. When registering, please indicate which date you would like to attend and whether you require assistance for the tour.

The Bat Chats podcast, which you can find in the audio section, is a series created by choreographer Kareth Schaffer and composer Jonas Hauer that documents the creation of the new dance performance "Bat Dances".

Dates of production

  • Premiere

    Wed 26.8.

    from 20:00 to 21:00 HAU3

  • Thu 27.8.

    from 18:00 to 19:00 HAU3

  • Fri 28.8.

    from 18:00 to 19:00 HAU3

  • Sat 29.8.

    from 17:00 to 18:00 HAU3

Location

HAU3
Tempelhofer Ufer 10, 10963 Berlin

HAU3 unfortunately is not barrier-free. Access to the theatre is via a stairwell (3rd floor). If you need help, please contact our Ticketing & Service team at +49 (0)30 259004-27 or email us at tickets@hebbel-am-ufer.de. 

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