CHOIR OF IDENTITIES
Auto-fiction performance by Zara Demidova
The first-night took place on December 6, 2023, at Reforum Space Berlin
November 14 8:00 PM
Medikov Ave., 3, lit. A (Lenpoligrafmash territory, in the Design Park building, 5 minutes walk from Petrogradskaya metro station)
About
This project, both in its creation process and in organizing the showing in Berlin, is an entirely independent initiative by theater makers from Russia currently residing in different countries.
«Choir of Identities» is an auto-fiction performance where Zara Demidova, the author and performer, explores the question «Who am I?» It attempts to piece together various parts into a whole, to restore their value, and to find an ethical orientation in this constantly changing reality. The performance explores multiple identities we may discover within ourselves: inherent ones such as place of birth, gender, ethnicity, and chosen ones like profession, motherhood, etc.
«Choir of Identities» is an auto-fiction performance where Zara Demidova, the author and performer, explores the question «Who am I?» It attempts to piece together various parts into a whole, to restore their value, and to find an ethical orientation in this constantly changing reality. The performance explores multiple identities we may discover within ourselves: inherent ones such as place of birth, gender, ethnicity, and chosen ones like profession, motherhood, etc.
Zara Demidova:
I'm raising money to give our wonderful performance a chance to be seen and heard. Thanks to the collection, we will be able to declare ourselves on the European theater platform and continue working and touring.
We would like to develop our business.
We would like to develop our business.
Who am I?
Woman?
Nationality?
Actress?
Victim?
Mother?
Daughter?
Am I real?
Woman?
Nationality?
Actress?
Victim?
Mother?
Daughter?
Am I real?
Creators
Elena Samoryadova: Graduated from the Kant University in Kaliningrad and the Cinemotion Moscow Film School, screenwriting department. She has written scripts for TV series and her plays have been recognized in various competitions.
Karina Besolti: An Ossetian director and playwright. She graduated from the directing master's program at the Moscow Art Theatre School. She is involved in various theatrical practices, including social theater.
Fati Besolti: An Ossetian composer, vocalist, and performer. She graduated from the Gnesins Academy. She has been involved in numerous unconventional projects related to vocal practices in various cities in Russia.
Zara Demidova: An actress, director, playwright, and producer. She graduated from the Institute of Theatrical Arts in Moscow and the State Omsk University as a translator. She founded a private theater of contemporary drama in Omsk, which ceased to exist in 2022. She has participated in theater projects in Mexico, Kazakhstan, and Russia.
Yulia Churilova: A curator and theater producer. She is the founder and curator of several international festivals in Novosibirsk, Russia. In March 2022, she was dismissed from her position as director of a drama theater for her anti-war stance. She is currently involved in independent theater projects.
Karina Besolti: An Ossetian director and playwright. She graduated from the directing master's program at the Moscow Art Theatre School. She is involved in various theatrical practices, including social theater.
Fati Besolti: An Ossetian composer, vocalist, and performer. She graduated from the Gnesins Academy. She has been involved in numerous unconventional projects related to vocal practices in various cities in Russia.
Zara Demidova: An actress, director, playwright, and producer. She graduated from the Institute of Theatrical Arts in Moscow and the State Omsk University as a translator. She founded a private theater of contemporary drama in Omsk, which ceased to exist in 2022. She has participated in theater projects in Mexico, Kazakhstan, and Russia.
Yulia Churilova: A curator and theater producer. She is the founder and curator of several international festivals in Novosibirsk, Russia. In March 2022, she was dismissed from her position as director of a drama theater for her anti-war stance. She is currently involved in independent theater projects.
Reviews
«Choir of Identities» a chorus of identities performed by one person, Zara Demidova, in a concise and minimalist setting. It raises pertinent questions about who we are, where we are, and how we got there, with no single, definitive answer. The act of creating this space for reflection itself holds great value.
It reflects on the performance, noting how towards the end, it seems as though several different women overcoming endless life difficulties fill the small stage, but it's all Zara Demidova. The performance is structured as a kaleidoscope of monologues with a clear structure devised by director Karina Besolti and composer Fati Besolti, incorporating various forms of acting with meditative video.
The protagonist has something to say about the lives of those who also look different, who discover their identity in social confrontation. And she is an actress, perhaps capable of playing anything. How does one play oneself while remaining truthful? The play questions why we associate the concepts of woman and single mother with an unhappy life, why even today a woman is perceived only through the lens of a man's life, and why complex relationships with fathers are almost always the starting point for the abandonment of one's self. These different voices are heard in the performance. It's about assembling one's identity.
The protagonist has something to say about the lives of those who also look different, who discover their identity in social confrontation. And she is an actress, perhaps capable of playing anything. How does one play oneself while remaining truthful? The play questions why we associate the concepts of woman and single mother with an unhappy life, why even today a woman is perceived only through the lens of a man's life, and why complex relationships with fathers are almost always the starting point for the abandonment of one's self. These different voices are heard in the performance. It's about assembling one's identity.
Zara Demidova:
I'm raising money to give our wonderful performance a chance to be seen and heard. Thanks to the collection, we will be able to declare ourselves on the European theater platform and continue working and touring.
We would like to develop our business.
We would like to develop our business.
