Hopepunk
A choreographic manifesto for joy as resistance
PREMIERE DECEMBER 17-20TH 2026 IN RADIALSYSTEM BERLIN
What if joy were our most powerful form of resistance? What if dancing – not in spite of, but because of our exhaustion, our anger and our heartache – were an act of radical hope?
Hopepunk is a choreographic project born out of the urgency to confront apathy, isolation and fear not with violence, but with sweat, rhythm, vulnerability and connection. It is a queer, feminist, somatic exploration of joy and dance as a shared resource, a renewable force and a political act. Hopepunk is a full-length choreographic work for four performers that explores groove, somatics and resilience through hybrid, club-inspired movement practices. We explore: How can joy be generated in the body – and with other bodies – and how does this joy circulate? Under the direction of Julia B. Laperrière, four dancers and a musician are collaborating on the project. The premiere will take place in December 2026 at Radialsystem Berlin.
Concept & choreography: Julia B. Laperrière Co-Choreography and performance: Soroa Lear, Phoenix Chasem, Florencia Martina, Alen Nsambu Sound and performance Pia Achternkamp Light and stage Sandra Blatterer Costumes Cristina Nyffeler Production management Paula Häfele Distribution Astrid Rostaing Thanks to Nica Berndt-Caccivio, Nicole Schuchardt
A production of Julia B. Laperrière in coproduction with Radialsystem and Tanzfabrik Berlin, funded by the Berliner Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt and the Fond Darstellende Künste. The project benefited from a residency at Schloss Mentin - Something Great Arts Center and from the support of Diorama/Jefta van Dinther.