Robert Ssempijja: You Judge – TANZTAGE BERLIN 2025

2025
34 edition
Dance, Performance Ticket Premiere
Closing party Free admission

Robert Ssempijja:
You Judge

RobertSsempijja_YouJudge_Foto_Fazil on Yu_DSC03952
Robert Ssempijja:
You Judge
Dance/Performance
In English

Premiere

The performances of You Judge will be shown as a double bill with evening.haiku by Djibril Sall.

Robert Ssempijja starts his solo with a story about the community in Kampala, Uganda, where he grew up and tells of the expectations of its members towards him. Every society tends to be particularly judgmental and close-minded towards those who step out of line. We are all constantly searching for our place in the world: we try to adapt, to understand our different roles and we struggle for acceptance. In a catwalk setup, dancer and choreographer Robert Ssempijja demonstrates the body's ability to challenge social norms – and thus reveals the dance's inherent potential for emancipation. At the same time, the piece contributes to distorting, disrupting and expanding the limits imposed by the disciplining gaze of others.    

You judge runs about 40 minutes. It uses English and lugandan spoken language. Anyhow, it is comprehensible without any knowledge of Luganda. The audience area is dark and the audience will be seated. There are two wheelchair spaces and one beanbag seat that can be reserved by phone or booked via the online ticket shop or at the box office, if available. Admission begins 20-30 minutes prior to show time. We recommend arriving early to select a suitable seat. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Gina Jeske at jeske@sophiensaele.com or 030 27 89 00 35.
ClickHERE to find information about our performance spaces and pathways, accessible restrooms, parking, directions to the theater, a 360° video tour of the building, and more. 

CONCEPT, PERFORMANCE Robert Ssempijja MUSIC Abdoul Mujyambere, Öz Kaveller COSTUME Karmelita Siwa Dramaturgical advice Maciej Sado

A production of Ssempijja Robert in co-production with SOPHIENSÆLE. With the kind support of Company Christoph Winkler. The 31st edition of Tanztage Berlin is a production of SOPHIENSÆLE. Funded by the Senate Department for Culture and Europe. With the friendly support of Tanzfabrik Berlin e. V. and Theaterhaus Berlin Mitte. Media partners:  Siegessäule, tipBerlin, taz and Berlin Art Link.

ROBERT SSEMPIJJA is a dance artist from Uganda. In his style he combines traditional dance with breakdance and contemporary dance techniques. His training includes techniques from Burkina Faso, and he is currently pursuing his dance diploma at the Ecolé des Sables in Senegal. Robert Ssempijja uses his dance knowledge for professional work, but is also an important protagonist of the growing contemporary dance scene in Uganda and founder of Dance Revolution East Africa. He works regularly with Christoph Winkler (Germany), Nora Chipaumire (New York/Simbabwe), Qudus Onikeku (Nigeria) and Patrick Acogny (France/Senegal).

  • RobertSsempijja_YouJudge_Foto_Fazil on Yu_DSC03952
    © Fazil on Yu
  • RobertSsempijja_YouJudge_Foto_Fazil on Yu_DSC04016
    © Fazil on Yu
  • YouJudge_RobertSsempijja_Foto_Abdoul Mujyambere_01
    © Abdoul Mujyambere
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