Chameleons
Unge Viken Teater
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“Let me be wild, let me laugh
In my own language
It’s not noise you hear
It is my soul that moves”
“The Chameleons” is about growing up and cross-cultural identity. About fumbling to find yourself, finding your place and where you belong. About sending heart emojis to grandma in Tunisia because you don’t speak the same language, about blending in, standing out, about love that is like candy, about “skin-colored” pencils, about racism and prejudice, about secret codes, about adapting so well that you lose yourself and about finding your group of friends and about how you are allowed to change throughout your life.
When you grow up between two cultures, you, like the chameleon, are an expert at adapting to different environments, people, languages, cultures and codes. You possess a chameleon skill that not everyone has.
“The Chameleons” is a physical performance where text, dance and music are equally important. The soundtrack was composed by 18-year-old Tayza Naing. The performance is based on interviews and texts from young people in Oslo and Viken, conversations with people from cross-cultural backgrounds and the artists’ own experiences.
Duration: 45 minutes
Target group: From 13 years
Language: Norwegian
“Seriously! Don’t call me minority language when my language has 100 words for love!”
“I blend into my surroundings like a chameleon. It’s a pretty useful feature. The best place to hide is in open places no one will look”
“I’m a chameleon when I’m at school. I feel adapted. Tired, but adapted”
“The chameleon is hiding. I run and cycle away from my thoughts. As a chameleon, you have to adapt to everything possible all the time, one of the worst things I know of.”
Cast:
An idea by Zezé Kolstad developed with Sarah Camille Osmundsen and Lill Salole
Playwright Sarah Camille Osmundsen
Performers Mariko Miyata Jancey, Victor Amel Olivares Pedersen and Hawa Janlo
Director and choreographer Zezé Kolstad
Scenographer and costume designer Silje Sandodden Kise
Composer Tayza Naing
Lighting design Håkon Karlsen
Makeup Gisella Francisca
Playwright Lina Killingdalen
Costume designer Line Jeanette Antonsen
Professional consultant Lill Salole
Mentor/facilitator composer Balita Serge Buhendwa
Vote on recording Naimo Abdulkadir Shiiq Omar
Technician Eirik Mikkelsen (SHOWLAB)
Dramatist idea development Øystein Ulsberg Brager
Producer Sandra Sandbye
Produced by Unge Viken Teater
Performance photo Tale Hendnes
Big thanks to: Åsne på Rommen Scene for invaluable help in putting us in contact with the young people we have met in the process. Thanks for inspiration, conversations and contributions to the text from: 9th grade at Kjeller School (22/23), Rommen school, Oslo adult training Skullerud, Fanny Edvarda Bjørn, Lasse Bjørn, Thomas Gandi Ekeberg Nilsen, Lorita Ineza, Leo Hutchinson Wagbø, Tayza Naing, Ting Malin Lloyd, Naimo Abdulkadir Omar, Heran Zeresenay Teklu, Mandeeq Said Osman-Roble, Balita Serge Buhendwa, Nordic Black Express (NBX) by Farqaleet Iqbal, Anna Trindade Eriksen, Khadeeja Ahmed, Hanna Ocide Kidula, Mahdi Bilal Abusalah, Cesilie Geanina Jørgensen, Mieri Joak, Yara Emilie Bjaarstad Medina, Franklin Mukadiv, Jawad Aziz and Tobias Halle Furunes.
