My Wayang and I: A Dance Performance

'My Wayang and I' is a profound dance performance that delves into how our past continues to resonate within us. It explores the tension stored in the body, feelings of exclusion, and the pain of not being accepted. Yet, it also celebrates the power of imagination and the yearning to break free from what was. Last year, Afra Ernst returned to Indonesia after eighteen years, questioning why she and her mother had left Jakarta when she was only six. Her instincts proved correct: it was a matter of necessity, leaving them with no choice. This shadowed past is something Afra struggles to release. Through a blend of dance, poetry, and Indonesian imagery, Afra crafts a layered narrative. Choreographers Mauri Kierindoongo, Christiaan Hendriksen, and Moze Naél engage the audience in an intense internal struggle of learning to accept one's shadowy history. 'My Wayang and I' powerfully conveys that we are inherently stronger than our shadows, leaving one pivotal question for the audience: are you ready to confront your own shadows? ABOUT AFRA ERNST: Afra Ernst is a choreographer, dancer, and creator with roots in both Indonesia and the Netherlands. Her work is intensely personal yet resonates universally, exploring identity, heritage, and the lingering marks left by the past on our bodies. With 'My Wayang and I', she intertwines dance with memory, physicality with heritage, inviting the audience to witness their own shadows without fear.