Abstract stories - Abstract productions or stories for young audiences?

Looking at different European countries, different perceptions may exist of the right mix of concreteness and abstractness in productions for young audiences - especially when we take different age groups into account. How does a society view childhood? How does it view children, or adolescents? If we want a fruitful and productive exchange of art productions for young audiences among different European countries, it is essential that we know about the differences and similarities, and the impact they will have on productions for young people. Contemporary dance performances for grown-up audiences are often considerably abstract in nature. Are there any reasons for not aiming for the same level of abstraction when we create dance performances for young people? On the other hand: how could narrative forms be adequate for young European people? How can they be used? During the workshop the choreographers will experiment with abstract and/or concrete/narrative forms of (re)presentation and will develop different sequences. The workshop will be accompanied by a primary and a secondary school. (age groups 6 – 10 and 10 – 15). The host of this programme is FTE organising partner Tanzhaus NRW in Germany.