Art And Change
“This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.”
— Toni Morrison
Donya Speaks
Donya Speaks (Donia Sbika) is a dance and theatre artist from Bern and Tunis. In her work she playfully combines comedy and tragedy, text and movement, form and content, finding in them a startling relevance. She understands the stage as a space of possibility and theatre as a means of shaping dialogue and questioning the world order.
In 2021 she performed in “Teresa” at the Mercat de les Flors, Barcelona. With the artist collective The Grey Stories she developed documentary pieces between Germany, Bosnia and Rwanda from 2019–2022. With Hannan Salamat she co-created a lecture performance on anti-Muslim racism.
In 2022 Donya premiered her second full-length piece “Bis zum Ende des Regens”, co-produced with Tanzhaus Bern and Théâtre de l'Opéra Tunis. With her feminist piece “POETiK P” she began a new collaboration with Dampfzentrale Bern.
She studied at the Accademia Dimitri and ZHdK, and deepened her practice in Body Weather dance with Andres Corchero, and performance art with Stéfanie Lupo.
Areas of Work
CREATIONS
DONYA initiates and realises her own projects at the intersection of dance, theatre and performance.
COLLABORATIONS
DONYA works as a freelance actress and dancer with directors, choreographers and collectives.
SEARCHING & TEACHING
DONYA teaches theatre and dance workshops and is active in research and educational projects.