CHOREOGRAPHIC & PERFORMANCE WORK
JOURNEY TO HAMPAMPAM (touring piece)
Dance theater piece Journey to Hampampam is based on author Ville Hytönen’s children’s book The Land Called Hampampam (Tammi, 2023). The book is illustrated by Marja-Liisa Plats.
The stories highlight equality, the importance of communication, and empathy. The world of the book is written in a fascinating, nonsense-inspired poetic language; according to the author, many of its expressions come directly from children’s own words – which makes it full of surprising twists.
Dance and theatre engage in dialogue with the tales, creating a bubbling and joyful dance experience for the whole family!
Ada Freund, artistic direction, dancer, costume design
Johanna Spies, dancer
Francis Maskens, dancer
Mari-Helen Hyvärinen, actress
Taina-Maaria Rautasuo, producer
Toured in Northern Finland 14-23.9.2025
Supported by
Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Samuel Huber Art Foundation, Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth, Stiftelsen Kvarteret Victoria, Vantaa Dance Institute
ÉMILIE
Émilie is an opera by composer Kaija Saariaho and librettist Amin Maalouf, which premiered at the Lyon Opera in 2010. In Finland, the work was last performed at the Finnish National Opera in 2015. The work tells the story of the last days of the French scientist Émilie du Châtelet. Its themes include love between a man and a woman, as well as the love of knowledge and truth. Saariaho was fascinated by Émilie du Châtelet's contradictions and her vast achievements at a time when women were only expected to marry well.
Émilie du Châtelet's life is about science, which is philosophy and reason, which is emotional. Perhaps a great opera can indeed be performed about her, which is also an intimate experience. – Aleksi Barrière
The one-act opera has nine scenes. There are 32 artists on stage at the same time: a chamber orchestra, including a harpsichordist, a conductor, two dancers and two singers. The composition uses electronics throughout the piece.
Pia Freund & Meeri Pulakka, sopranos
Janne Marja-aho & Ada Freund, dance and choreography
Sanni Antikainen, harpsichord
Avanti! Chamber Orchestra
Allisa Neige Barrière, conductor
Aleksi Barrière, stage direction, dramaturgy, video
Étienne Exbrayat, set and lighting design
Timo Kurkikangas, sound design
Satu Muurinen, costume design
Teija Paananen, tayloring
Alisa Kaksonen, hair and makeup
Production by Kokonainen, Avanti!, Dialogia! -festivaali ry
Linda Suolahti, artistic curator, executive producer
Sera Syvänen, project coordinator
Anni Kallioniemi, media manager
ALTERNATIVE SPACES FOR EMAPTHY
‘IT’S THICK, IT’S ELASTIC, IT’S SOFT AND DELICATE. ENGLOBING, IT WELCOMES ME TO BE OPEN.'
’
Rooted in the matter of kinesthetic empathy, ‘alternative spaces for empathy' seeks to create a space that invites to embrace the connection, the agency and the communication within oneself and others, in an era that pushes away from these significant values.
Through the investigation of kinesthetic empathy, the project researches how bodily impulses generate communication and shared experiences, fostering a deeper awareness of empathy and embodied communication as pathways to authentic connection.
Kinesthetic empathy refers to the kinesphere that surrounds the physical body and investigates the theme of affection, questioning
how individuals can maintain agency within embodiment while remaining connected to others. It examines how embodiment fosters genuine, fluid dialogue between bodies and affection as well as the autonomy to determine how external influences affect us.
Moreover, this research places emphasis on the physical dimension of experience, highlighting the importance of body awareness and
the ability to connect with the bodily experiences of others. Every relationship emerges from encounters with others, contributing to a
sense of togetherness and through the practice of exchange, individuals learn about others and how their presence influences the surroundings.
‘alternative spaces for empathy' generates a space to touch and be touched: How do we touch, and how do we want
to be touched? When am I allowed to touch? How can we be touched without physicality? Do we need touch?
DANCE AND CHOREOGRAPHY: Ada Freund & Chiara Consiglio
Supported by: ada studios Berlin
SEPT PAPILLONS
Duet performance for movement and cello, based on Kaija Saariaho's piece 'Sept Papillons'. Through these miniatures of seven butterflies, Saariaho moved to a metaphor of the ephemeral.
Each part seem to be a studies on a different aspect of fragile and ephemeral movement that has no beginning or end.
Dance and choreography: Ada Freund
Cello: Joanna Hanhikoski
PERFORMANCES:
15.8.2024 Taiteiden Yö, hietsun Paviljonki
17.8.2024 Dialogia! Ihan Pihalla!
EDITH!
EDITH! is a performance based on the poet Edith Södergran, her life and diverse poetry. In the multidisciplinary work, through Södergran' s production, the social and cultural atmosphere of her time is explored through dance, poetry and music.
Edith Södergran belongs to the most in the area of poetry and opened the ways to see world differently; the Queer world was something Edith actively brought up in their work. The movement language communicates with both theater and music, bringing the brightness of Edith's life and work alive.
Performers:
Suvi Blick
Johanna Spies
Ada Freund
Pia Freund
Louna Hosia
Taina-Maaria Rautasuo
Performances:
10.5.2024 at Fyyri, Kirkkonummi (FI)
12.5.2024 at Hämeenlinnan Palokunnantalo (FI)
12.3.2025 at Porvoon Taidetehdas (FI)
JOURNEY TO HAMPAMPAM
Children's dance theater piece 'Journey to Hampampam' is based on a book called 'Land called Hampampam' by author Ville Hytönen. Poetic language, and its illustrations are full of surprises that invites imagination to travel to absurd, new worlds.
The stories emphasize equality, the importance of communication and empathy. Dance and theater communicate with the book's fairy tales, forming a bubbly dance experience for the whole family!
Choreography: Ada Freund
Performers: cie.acompagniada (Julie Pollet, Andrea Aguado Martin, MJ Cardantas, Chloé Chardevel, Ulke Zeelmaekers), Dance Theater Tanssivarpaat (FI) and actress Mirjami Heikkinen
Scenography and costume design: Ada Freund
HÄMEENLINNA CITY THEATER 14.4.2024 & 10.5.2025
COMMISIONED BY DIALOGIA! -FESTIVAL
SECRETS OF THE ATTIC
Four children meet in a mysterious attic. What magical treasures will they uncover? And what is that curious rustling sound - where is it coming from?
Secrets of the Attic is a playful dive into the magnificent world of imagination. The characters find objects that take them to curious journey through the attic. Enchanting dance theatre piece explores themes of siblinghood, togetherness, and the wonder of the imagination. Secrets of the Attic invites audiences of all ages on a whimsical journey through the unexpected.Step into the attic and let the adventure begin!
Choreography and direction: Ada Freund
Costume and scenography: Ada Freund
Performers:
Ada Freund
Andrea Aguado Martin
Julie Pollet
Johanna Spies
SUPPORTED BY:
DIALOGIA! -FESTIVAL (FI) & ALLI PAASIKIVI FOUNDATION (FI)
Past & upcoming performances
8.11.2025
Children’s Saturday, Salo, FINLAND
18.03.2025
Children’s cultural center Aurora, Espoo, FINLAND
16.03.2025
Children’s cultural center Färi, Timantti-teatteri, Turku, FINLAND
14.4.2024
Hämeenlinna Theater, Dialogia! -festivaali, FINLAND
SYMBIOSIS
's y m b i o s i s' delves into the exploration of care as a foundational element of human existence, driven by the innate desire for connection and intimacy. Through an investigation of kinesthetic empathy, the project researches how bodily impulses facilitate communication, storytelling, and shared experiences, fostering a deeper awareness of empathy and embodied communication as pathways to authentic connection. Within the framework of intimacy, the project follows two characters on a journey marked by honesty, vulnerability, trust, and delicacy, discovering strength in unity.
Choreography, concept and performance: Ada Freund & Chiara Consiglio
Sound design: COS MOS - Ernesto Cretella, Daniele Paradiso
Premiere: 23.6.2024, Cultural House Marita (FI)
Other performances: 2.8.2024 Tehdas tanssii (FI)
3.8.2024 Penthouse collective(FI)
9.8.2024 Sagra Futuro (IT)
FORGOTTEN ROCKS
It was the same as yesterday -
the details of hidden place gave us comfort
It was the same as before -
we wondered how the dusty air was flying
It was same as yesterday -
It was the same as the other day -
the play passed by and tickled us
It was the same -
it was not there any longer
It was the same as other times -
this solitude we knew
Fragilely sinking, something was missing. Only there was nothing waiting.
Five creatures, living in an abandoned place, the childlike curiosity keeps them away from reality. Wondering, they enjoy being lost. In this chaotic and complex place they find comfort for themselves. Through memories and sensations, they float in timelessness. Finding no way out, they play and encounter sisterhood. Through the journey they return to the beginning, to the solitude that is always present. This solitude that makes us to seek for connection and togetherness. On the contrary, this solitude makes has an apocalyptic effect to the world that the characters are living in. These sensations takes them to the timeless space where the direction has been lost.
Concept and choreography: Ada Freund
Performers: Julie Pollet, Ulke Zeelmaekers, MJ Cardantas, Andrea Aguado Martin, Chloé Chardevel
Costume and scenography: Ada Freund
Sound design: Ada Freund
THE FURTHEST POINT
“I want to share this emptiness with you. Not fill the silence with false notes or put tracks through the void. I want to share this wilderness of failure. The others have built you a highway- fast lanes in both directions. I offer you a journey without direction, uncertainty and no sweet conclusion. When the light faded, I went in search of myself. There were many paths and many destinations” (Derek Jarman, 1990)
Fifteen bodies spill into space, negotiating and seeking solutions. From nowhere to nowhere, how can they move forward with no directions?What is left to hold on to?
Choreography: Jean Abreu