We hope you’re enjoying this series featuring our 2021 Choreographers. Read more about RIWCP Choreographer Theresa Fervers below!
Photo by Lin Kerbs
Theresa Fervers is a German dancer and choreographer based in NYC. She has received her ballet education at the Professional Division of the Theater Basel, Switzerland and in professional classes in Cologne and Düsseldorf, Germany. In 2016, she moved to New York City to complete the Intensive Semester at the Peridance Capezio Center. Since then, she has worked with several companies and choreographers such as Vivo Ballet (Enzo Celli), Azul Dance Theatre (Yuki Hasegawa), Julia Ehrstrand, Rachel Hettinger and Max Stone among others. Her choreography was shown in Germany and at several venues in NYC (i.a. Jennifer Muller, Peridance Capezio Center, Cherry Lane Theater).
Theresa’s choreographic work for RIWCP: “The trio I have created for RIWCP 2021 was the first piece I choreographed since the outbreak of the pandemic. Finally getting back into the studio and feeling and sharing the energy in the space has been just magical. My piece is called “Rethinking Rumination” and is about ruminative thoughts and how to break out of them. I think this is very relatable topic and yet, we do not talk a lot about it – perhaps because it is difficult for many to find the right words. To me, this is what the arts are about – to express things, feelings and energies that words cannot. It has been a long year where we have probably all “ruminated” even more than usual while having fewer opportunities to communicate with others – in social settings or through the arts. So, I wanted to create a piece where people feel understood or that helps them understand others. I am beyond grateful to be a part of RIWCP, to my amazing dancers and to the inspiring Lia Cirio who mentored me and was of immense help throughout the process.”
Rapid Fire Questions with Theresa:
How long have you been choreographing?
since 2018
If you could have any choreographer, dead or alive, create a new work on you, who would you choose?
That’s really tough, but if I have to choose one, I’d pick Felix Landerer.
When you’re not choreographing, how do you like to spend your time?
I almost always work – choreographing, dancing or in my other job. But if I have free time, I love spending time with my wonderful boyfriend and my friends, going to the park and enjoying the sun. Or to just stroll around in the city and sit in cafés (especially back home in Europe) and just feel the energy of the city and people around me.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from being a performing artist?
That we can solve any challenge with commitment. The most memorable moments of my performances are those where unexpected things happened. In my experience, the things that go wrong in a show are not the ones we struggled with in rehearsals but the moments we had never really worried about before. So, it really comes as a surprise and as a performer, we then have to make a choice on stage on how to deal with this situation and there is zero time to hesitate. The only thing that really helps in the moment is to be fully committed to whatever we choose and somehow, it always works out just fine.
What was your first job?
In life, my first job was actually at an economic research institute. As a choreographer, my first job was in Freiburg, Germany where I performed a solo I choreographed.
Favorite emoji?
Oh, I love all emojis but the little monkey covering his eyes is my favorite haha 🙈
Favorite food?
Tomatoes and raspberries – I have a weird obsession with both of these
Dog person or cat person?
Cat person 100% – I have 2 kitties and am absolutely obsessed with them 🙂 I like dogs too though!
Ideal travel destination?
My favorite place I have been to is a small town in the Netherlands where my grandparents had a house when I was little. I spent every summer there and it’s definitely my happy place 🙂 The places I haven’t been to yet but I am dying to go to are Tanzania and/or Namibia.
What are you most looking forward to in 2021?
I honestly think what I am looking forward to the most are just daily encounters and to just give people hugs again without having to worry. But of course, I am also really looking forward to live-performances – watching them, showing work and performing. I think after this tough year, we are all even more grateful to be back in the studio, having space to move and I CAN’T WAIT to be in and feel an audience.
Photo by Justin Chao
Watch Theresa’s piece in RIWCP: the Virtual Edition. Ticket information coming soon!