Photo ROOM IN OUR HOUSE picturing Montana Summers
How do you share peace?
ROOM IN OUR HOUSE
A danced manifesto for peace in cocreation with Indigenous artists from North America
Two men meet. In their bodies lies their strength. Both dancers live in the here and now. Yet, they are connected by a complex colonial history. One is the child of survivors, the other the heir of oppressors. Two worlds that clash. Is peace possible?
ROOM IN OUR HOUSE brings a groundbreaking countervoice in this time of crises. Inspired by the centuries-old peace treaty between the Dutch and the Haudenosaunee, the NBP team immersed themselves in their community in the United States. A world of democracy, equality, and gentleness. Directed by inspirational speaker Michelle Schenandoah (Oneida/Haudenosaunee) and choreographer/theater director Nicole Beutler (Dutch-German), with texts by Indigenous writer and activist Ty Defoe, ROOM IN OUR HOUSE invites the audience to explore each individual's responsibility in peacemaking.
CLOSE ENCOUNTER / FUTURE STORIES
After completing the climate trilogy with the dance opera NOW WE ARE EARTH, Nicole Beutler Projects focuses on new perspectives on the future of humanity on Earth. Here, political-poetic performances are created that strive for an inclusive society and bring attention to social justice and Indigenous knowledge. For this production, Beutler sought a collaboration with Michelle Schenandoah, founder of Rematriation - an organization invested in uplifting Indigenous women’s voices.
ROOM IN OUR HOUSE contains English spoken text. The outdoor version will premiere at Oerol 2026, and the theater version will tour the Netherlands this fall and the US next year.
Credits
The team of ROOM IN OUR HOUSE © Joann Yarrow
Concept & direction Michelle Schenandoah (Oneida/Haudenosaunee), Nicole Beutler (NL/DE)
Choreography Nicole Beutler in collaboration with the cast
Dancers Montana Summers (Oneida), Rob Polmann (NL/DE)
Storyteller Montana Adams (Mohawk)
Text Ty Defoe (Oneida/Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe), Michelle Schenandoah
Music Gary Shepherd (NL/UK, composition), Ty Dafoe (drums + flute), Adah Schenandoah (Oneida, singer + drums)
Costumes Tisha Thompson (Mohawk), Jessica Helbach (NL)
Decor Jessica Helbach (NL), Tim Vermeulen (NL)
Dramaturgy Justa ter Haar (NL), Igor Dobričić (SRB)
Assistent director Sebastián Paladines Cedeño (ES)
Cultural consultants Neal Powless (Onondaga), Diane Schenandoah (Oneida)
Lighting design Tim Vermeulen
Sound design Maurits Thiel (NL)
Production Nikki Kracht (NL)
PR & Marketing Pauline van Kordelaar (NL), Lieke Scholten (NL)
Producer Nicole Beutler Projects (NL) in collaboration with Rematriation (USA)
Support USA Syracuse stage, The Treman Center
Support NL Dutch Association for the Performing Arts (FPK), Amsterdam Fund for the Arts (AFK), Fonds 21, Ammodo Art, Netherland America Foundation
With thanks to Yoann Yarrow
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