DADA GERT

A MULTIMEDIA, IMMERSIVE PERFORMANCE INSPIRED BY THE RENEGADE GERMAN DANCE-THEATER-FILM ARTIST VALESKA GERT

November 7- 22, 2025 at MATCH

The critics write I’m sparkling as champagne, fresh as a forest, clear
as glass, poisonous as a toadstool and I rush to their head like heavy wine.
– Valeska Gert (1892-1978)

Open Dance Project’s DADA GERT surrounds the audience with rhythm, athleticism, and the intently focused theatricality of Open Dance Project’s multi talented performers as they embody the raucous performance world of Valeska Gert, a renegade dance/theater/­film/cabaret artist whose punk­-like “dance satires” alternately challenged and thrilled audiences in Weimar­ era Berlin.  Audience members walk through the Dada ­inspired set by Ryan McGettigan, while Open Dance Project dancers entice and scold through irreverent jerks and twists, contorted faces, and mimetic gestures accompanied by guitarist Hunter Perrin. Joyful, sexy, and funny in one moment and ugly, vulgar, and heartbreaking the next, the performers – each embodying the creative renegades and brilliant outcasts that peppered Valeska’s life – guide audience members through a wildly intoxicating 60 minutes, exploring the art and world of Weimar Berlin.

DADA GERT is an intimate hour long immersive production with only 25 tickets per show. The audience stands and walks through the performance. There is no traditional audience seating. The performance is wheelchair accessible. This performance is recommended for audiences aged 13 and over.

Accessibility Note: ODP is committed to making this immersive experience inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities. On demand audio description and closed captioning available upon request. Please contact the MATCH box office or email access@opendanceproject.org for more info and to reserve these services.

Annie Arnoult (Choreographer), Christopher Ash (Original Projection Design), Lauren Davis (Props/Scenic Artist), Bryan Ealey (Projection Design), Abby Flowers (Graphic Design), Edgar Guajardo (Sound Design), Laura Harrell (Managing Director), Ashley Horn (Costume Design), Christina Maley (Production Manager), Ryan McGettigan (Set Design), Hunter Perrin (Live Music), Tiffany Schrepferman (Lighting Design)

Created and Performed by: Annie Arnoult, Kahlil Cabble (apprentice), Sonia Engman, Atticus Griffin, Zuri Humphrey (apprentice), Sarah Lyman, Madelyn Manlove, Abigail Robertson (apprentice), Margo Smolik, Gage Self, Joseph Stevens, Elyssa Vega (apprentice), Jaime Garcia Vergara.