Dalila Hermans: Us, (k)now

March 3 – 20, 2022
Hetpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium

A coproduction by NTGent + hetpaleis

Us, (k)now will be a powerful, hopeful performance about black consciousness and the empowerment of the current generation of teenagers. A generation that has so much to tell. A generation that still feels hampered by the chains from the past, but also has the courage and encouragement to cut them loose. A generation that makes each other stronger.

2020 was the year of covid. But also of BLM. Events that have a great impact on young people. How does it feel to grow up in this strange mix of social unrest and oppression? In Us, (k)now eight black teenage girls give their view on the future.

In February 2020 Dalilla Hermans made her debut as a theatre maker at NTGent with Her(e). For this, she spent a weekend in seclusion with about thirty black women. Based on the conversations, she wrote a text about their lives in Belgium. About challenges and hope, work and theatre, family and sisterhood.

Her(e) inspired her to go one step further. During the oppressive ‘Easter break’ of 2021, she retreated with a group of black girls for a multi-day work session. Again, the experience of these conversations was magical. The girls got to know not only each other, but themselves better. The accompanying team discovered how much this generation of black youth is guiding itself in a new awareness. Us, (k)now will be a powerful, hopeful performance about black consciousness and the empowerment of the current generation of teenagers. A generation that has so much to tell. A generation that still feels hampered by the chains from the past, but also has the courage and encouragement to cut them loose. A generation that makes each other stronger.

direction, text: Dalilla Hermans
camera and video: Aparecida Vi Baijot
workshops with youngsters: Abigail Abraham
dramaturgy: Nyiragasigwa Hens
costumes: Nacy Francis
music: Willem Blontrock
scenography: Rachel Hansoul
lighting design and scenographic advice: Stef Stessel
psychological counseling for young people: Ama Kissi
performing: Ture Reuman, Ninette Vertongen, Amani Mugabe, Zuraya Bangura, Eva Dries, Mpho Pierreux, Tiazaë, Agnes Dos Santos Lialunga
production and technical realization: NTGent, hetpaleis
support video: Jamy Hollebeke

photo: Aparedcida Vi Baijot