Wait to be seated

“Wait to Be Seated” is an intercultural performance project by the performance group She She Pop from Berlin and Sandbox Collective from Bangalore, which will be produced in Germany and India. The participating artists wish to explore the concept of hospitality from a postcolonial, feminist and power-critical perspective.

Both groups swap roles as hosts and guests. “Wait to Be Seated” sheds light on the ethical side of hospitality, which in many cultures radically and unconditionally welcomes strangers. At the same time, hospitality is rooted in customs and rules. The artists will begin by drafting a policy paper – a kind of “diplomatic protocol” – which defines the sequence of encounters and will be integrated into the performances. Both groups will discuss in advance which programme points to highlight, such as greetings, presenting gifts and saying goodbye. They will also decide what kind of atmosphere they wish to evoke – formal, ceremonial, or as a party. Both collectives will prepare their performances separately and subsequently interpret the acts of hospitality in front of the audience.

The goal is to explore and then artistically overcome existing prejudices, fears and hostilities. The project also reflects on the political dimension of hospitality in the context of colonialism and migration. This approach will allow the participants to test a new form of transcultural artistic collaboration, in which the unique characteristics of both collectives are equally visible. The performances will take place in Bangalore, Berlin and other cities in Germany and India.

Artistic direction: Ilia Papatheodorou, Lisa Lucassen, Sebastian Bark, Nimi Ravindran, Shiva Pathak, Berit Stumpf

Premiere in India: Festival Gender Bender, Bangalore: 1–14 Dec. 2025
Premiere in Germany: HAU Hebbel am Ufer, Berlin: 3–10 Sep. 2026
Performances: Kampnagel, Hamburg: 16–20 Sep. 2026; HELLERAU – European Centre for the Arts, Dresden: 24–27 Sep. 2026; KünstlerInnenhaus Mousonturm, Frankfurt am Main: 1–4 Oct. 2026