Fortunate Shortcuts

Concept, Artistic Direction, Set Design, AI Training: Marie Meyer
Direction, Choreography: Artificial Intelligence
Digital Interface Programming, Set Design Collaboration, Dramaturgy: Declan Hurley
Robotics, Lighting Design: Simon Lenzen
Production Collaboration: Svenja Polonji

A production by Marie Meyer in co-production with Produktionshaus NAXOS (Frankfurt am Main). The production was supported by the Hessian Ministry for Science and Research, Arts and Culture, the Frankfurt Cultural Office, and with the kind support of the Aventis Foundation. Development enabled through: HTA Postgraduate Funding „Künstlerisches Forschen“ (2023) – a funding project of the Frankfurt LAB für Alumni der Hessischen Theaterakademie, supported by the Hessische Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst und den Fonds Darstellende Künste with funds from the Beauftragten der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien under NEUSTART KULTUR.

Marie Meyer (born 1992) is a director, installation and media artist. She studied Applied Theatre Studies at Justus Liebig University in Giessen and has been teaching stage design regularly at the Berlin University of the Arts (UdK) since 2021. In her work, Meyer explores the performative potential of technology and objects, transforming them into actors. In doing so, she combines strategies from the visual and performing arts. In her 2021 performance “I’m not a robot”, for example, six dust-wiping robots create a large-scale charcoal drawing to Schubert’s “Ave Maria”. Previous works have been shown at venues including the NAXOS production house, the Palais de la Porte Dorée in Paris, the galerie intershop in Leipzig, the Sophiensaele and the Neuer Aachener Kunstverein. She has received grants from the Hessian Cultural Foundation, the Hessian Theatre Academy and the Performing Arts Fund.     

Declan Hurley (b. 1986) is a multidisciplinary artist. He studied Fine Art Media at the National College of Art & Design in Dublin and works primarily as a set designer and video artist at theatre and music festivals. Since 2015, he has been active in the field of inclusive theatre; he is a founding member of the theatre group Leute wie die and a collaborator with the dance collective LIFT. Previous projects have been staged at venues including Theater Münster, Jungen Schauspielhaus Düsseldorf, Staatstheater Hannover, National Theater Mannheim, Theater Revier Bochum, the Sophiensæle and Ballhaus Ost Berlin. Hurley has also worked as a video technician at the Maxim Gorki Theatre. His short film “Autonomat” (co-directed by Anne Fidler) premiered in Cannes in 2019. Since 2022, he has also been creating live video mapping and stage designs. 

Simon Lenzen (b. 1999) has been studying Applied Theatre Studies at Justus Liebig University Giessen since 2019 and, having completed his bachelor’s degree, has been enrolled on the master’s programme since 2024. Since 2024, he has also been working freelance as a lighting designer and special effects technician in the independent theatre scene, including with the collectives äöü and Pinsker+Bernhardt at the FFT Düsseldorf, HochX Munich and Ringlokschuppen Ruhr. In this work, his interest focuses on the staging of the technology itself and how it can be used as an equal participant on stage. In practice, this manifests itself through the design and implementation of lighting and sound installations or robotics on stage. His theoretical research interests focus on the role of theatre in science communication.      

Svenja Polonji (b. 1997) is interested in the more technical aspects of the cultural sector. She is currently responsible for administration and finance at the GRIMMWELT Kassel gGmbH exhibition centre. Previously, she worked for the Afghanistan Cultural Fund support programme at the Goethe-Institut. Polonji studied Applied Theatre Studies in Giessen and Theatre and Orchestra Management at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main. There, she served as artistic co-director of the “IMPLANTIEREN” festival in 2022/23 and, in recent years, has worked as a production manager for the independent theatre scene in Hesse. 

Venue information

Spatial Access

The event takes place at Theaterrevier (Zeche Eins). Theaterrevier is the venue of the Junge Schauspielhaus Bochum and is located on the site of the former Prinz Regent colliery. Access to the theater is step-free via the main entrance, which is wheelchair accessible. The building offers at least two wheelchair spaces and a wheelchair-accessible restroom.

Distances

The nearest public transport stop is “Knappenstraße/Zeche” (bus line 353 from Bochum Central Station), approximately 4–5 minutes (300–350 m) on foot from the stop to the theater. From Bochum Central Station, the bus ride takes about 10–15 minutes before the remaining walk. According to city guidance, free parking is available within walking distance of the theater.

Audience Situation

Seated audience tribune with free seating. A limited number of wheelchair and beanbag seats are available. Early boarding is offered.
Please indicate your needs when purchasing tickets so that we can accommodate them on site.

Information for Blind and Visually Impaired Visitors

Guidance System

There is currently no wayfinding system in the building. Please contact us in advance to discuss the possibility of a pick-up service or on-site assistance.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome at the festival. Due to the variety of festival venues and formats, prior coordination is requested.

Information for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Visitors

For this performance, we cannot provide translation in German Sign Language (DGS) or a hearing loop.

The piece uses no spoken language except for a brief introduction (approx. 90 seconds). The text of this introduction can be provided on request. Chapter headings are projected in English. The baroque music pieces performed are mostly instrumental, but play an important role in the staging.

Information on Comprehension and Perception

Language
English (short introduction), then without spoken language.

Sensory Stimuli
The performance includes loud music, rapid music changes, and fast lighting changes.

Information on general Organisation

On-Site Assistance / Pick-Up Service
Please arrange in advance if you wish to use a pick-up service from the nearest public transport stop or parking area.

Tickets
For festival tickets, you may claim the reduced price at your discretion; admission for one accompanying person is free. To receive a free ticket for a companion, you can use the code BEGLEITUNG when booking—please select it in the shopping cart. Please decide for yourself which price you can and want to pay.

Contact
Our festival team works irregular hours, so we are not available at fixed office times. You can contact us via:

Email: barrierefreiheit@impulsefestival.de
Phone: +49 (0) 202 698 27 280 (you will reach an answering machine to arrange a callback. Please leave your name, phone number, and inquiry.)

Notes on potentially sensitive content and sensory stimuli may reveal parts of the performance in advance. Please decide for yourself whether you wish to continue reading.
The artists have provided the following information about the performance content, allowing you to make an individual assessment of whether you would like to attend. If you need additional information to plan your visit, please feel free to contact us.

Content
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Lighting
Rapid lighting changes are used.

Sound
Loud music and rapid changes in music are used.

Other
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