Hazem Header: Egyptian-izing your movement
In this workshop, Egyptian choreographer Hazem Header will introduce a range of contemporary dance and physical theater improvisation frameworks. Participants will leave with a robust set of exercises, games, and scores to support the creation of their own choreography and performances.
The workshop explores multiple choreographic approaches and creative methods for contemporary dance and physical theater, while also focusing on “Egyptian-izing” creative impulses—drawing from cultural memory, rhythm, and embodied storytelling.
Participants should bring paper, pens, and comfortable clothing.
When and where is the workshop held?
The workshop is held at 20 March 2026, 12.30 – 16.30 at Dansehallerne, Franciska Clausens Plads 27, DK-1799 Copenhagen V.
We kindly ask you to arrive 15 minutes prior to class in time for check-in with the QR code on your ticket.
Who can attend?
This all-levels workshop is open to professional dancers and movers from all artistic backgrounds, as well as dance and theater enthusiasts who are curious to explore contemporary dance and physical theater for the first time.
Accessibility:
Dansehallerne has an elevator with step-free access to all floors. Accessible and gender-neutral toilets and wardrobes are available on the ground floor.
About the artist:
Hazem Header is an Egyptian contemporary dancer and choreographer. Hazem decided to focus on contemporary dance in 2009 after earning a BA in physical education, studying personal training, biomechanics, kinesiology, and having worked as a personal trainer and volleyball coach. Hazem studied the governmental centre “Cairo Contemporary Dance Centre (CCDC)” at the Cairo Opera House.
Hazem started his own dance company, “NÜT Dance Company-NDC” in 2013, which is a Cairo-based and legally recognised entity that produces dance performances and cultural events.
Hazem launched the “Breaking Walls Festival” in 2017, which was the first international festival for site-specific performances in Cairo.
Hazem established the “Breaking Walls Dance Film Festival” in 2021 as Egypt’s and the region’s first dance film festival.
He was also chosen in 2021 to be a member of the IETM/International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts’ global connectors. In 2024, he was elected to the IETM Advisory Committee for a three-year term.
Credits:
Image by Ashlel Smith and Wide Eyed Studios
The workshop is arranged in collaboration with IPAF by Warehouse9 and Dansehallerne.
IPAF is made possible with support from:
Dansehallerne, Statens Kunstfond, Københavns Kommune and Vesterbro Lokaludvalg.
Hazem Header: MANEATER
IPAF presents: Hazem Header: MANEATER
Performing to the evocative old songs of Egyptian Singers and composed tracks of Egyptian Politicians’ speeches; A Solo dancer exposes the fractured and toxic relationship of Egypt and its rulers, politicians and Egyptian people as he delves into the complexity of his love for Egypt in an attempt to reconcile patriotism with disillusionment, and light of hope with darkness of oppression.
It shines a light on his deep rooted connection to his memory of The Egyptian revolution and suggests the power of what hope may do. Poetic and passionate, MANEATER… has an intricate physicality, Egyptian folk dance and is unashamedly romantic in its celebration of loving Egypt.
Egypt is reuniting on stage with some of her most infamous former lovers. Together, they relive past romances, replay tender moments, and whisper the sweet nothings they once shared – before it all, inevitably, turned toxic and fell apart.
Artist talk:
Following the performance on Sunday 22 March, Hazem Header will have a dialogue with Warehouse9 board member, Niels Bjørn, about queer performance in Egypt.
About the Artist:
Hazem Header is an Egyptian contemporary dancer and choreographer. In 2021, he founded the Breaking Walls Dance Film Festival, Egypt’s and the region’s first dance film festival. Prior to that in 2017, Hazem launched the Breaking Walls Festival, Cairo’s first international festival for site-specific performances. Previously, he combined his passion for movement and artistry to create NÜT Dance Company-NDC in 2013, a legally recognized entity in Cairo that produces dance performances and cultural events.
Hazem has gained international recognition for his contributions to contemporary performing arts. He was selected in 2021 as a member of the IETM/International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts’ Global Connectors program and, in 2024, was elected to the IETM Advisory Committee for a three-year term. Hazem earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education, with a focus on personal training, biomechanics, and kinesiology. He also studied at the governmental center, Cairo Contemporary Dance Centre (CCDC) at the Cairo Opera House.
Credits:
Creation and Choreography: Hazem Header
Music Designer and Composers: Anna-Maria Rammou (AMR)
Dramaturge: Dimitra Mitropoulou
Costume Designer: Domagoj Štimac
Text Video: Nima Dehghani
Speeches Archives and Research: Mary Nabil
Poster: Farah Khalaf
Co-Production: NÜT Dance Company and Breaking Walls Festival – Egypt, This is a Domino Project – Croatia and Warehouse9
Good to know:
Smoke in performance.
Strobe light.
Content of video projection may be graphic for some.
Possibility of close proximity to performer.
+18
Language: Arabic with English subtitles
IPAF:
IPAF is Warehouse9’s international performance festival. The festival is a vital extension of the organisation’s dedicated work to support and present LGBTQIA+ artists and cultural practitioners. IPAF is a dynamic meeting place that creates opportunities for artistic development, live performances, and facilitates spaces for dialogue and community.
This year, the festival is co-produced with Dansehallerne and presents genre-bending work in Copenhagen that actively engages with identity politics, sexual expressions, and body representations. IPAF is founded on the strong belief that dance and performance can offer new perspectives and understandings of reality, inspire collective imagination, and advocate for better and more just futures.
IPAF is made possible with support from the Danish Arts Foundations, the City of Copenhagen and Dansehallerne.
Tickets:
tickets are purchased via Dansehallernes website: https://dansehallerne.dk/en/public-program/
Note that there is a sliding scale option. This means that we have introduced a “pay what you can” ticket system for the performances. You can apply this by choosing the “IPAF community ticket level 1-4”.
Accessibility:
Dansehallerne in Copenhagen offers good accessibility with step-free access via an elevator to all floors, accessible and gender-neutral restrooms on the ground floor.
In-process sharing: MANEATER by Hazem Header
In-process performance sharing: MANEATER by Hazem Header
Performing to the evocative old songs of Egyptian Singers and composed tracks of Egyptian Politicians’ speeches; A Solo dancer exposes the fractured and toxic relationship of Egypt and its rulers, politicians and Egyptian people as he delves into the complexity of his love for Egypt in an attempt to reconcile patriotism with disillusionment, and light of hope with darkness of oppression.”. It shines a light on his deep rooted connection to his memory of The Egyptian revolution and suggests the power of what hope may do. Poetic and passionate, MANEATER… has an intricate physicality, Egyptian folk dance and is unashamedly romantic in its celebration of loving Egypt
Post sharing talk about the work with Hazem Header
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Hazem Header is an Egyptian contemporary dancer and choreographer. In 2021, he founded the Breaking Walls Dance Film Festival, Egypt’s and the region’s first dance film festival. Prior to that in 2017, Hazem launched the Breaking Walls Festival, Cairo’s first international festival for site-specific performances. Previously, he combined his passion for movement and artistry to create NÜT Dance Company-NDC in 2013, a legally recognized entity in Cairo that produces dance performances and cultural events. Hazem has gained international recognition for his contributions to contemporary performing arts. He was selected in 2021 as a member of the IETM/International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts’ Global Connectors program and, in 2024, was elected to the IETM Advisory Committee for a three-year term. Hazem earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education, with a focus on personal training, biomechanics, and kinesiology. He also studied at the governmental center, Cairo Contemporary Dance Centre (CCDC) at the Cairo Opera House.
Anna-Maria Rammou (AMR) is a sound artist and composer of electronic music. She creates in situ compositions for live performances. Her work has been released on cassette by various labels, including the Paris-based Vice de Forme and she has performed live at various venues in Europe. Her music is characterized by noisy and electroacoustic elements. She uses analog hardware and programming languages to produce sound and processes live sounds from semi-modular synthesizers, acoustic instruments and field recordings. She is part of Triangle Error, an improvisation group with electronics and clarinet. She hosts a fortnightly radio show, “Under The Seams”, at Stegi Radio. She composes music for dancing performances and films including the award-winning animated short film Pulsión (2019) by Pedro Casavecchia.
DIMITRA MITROPOULOU grew up between Athens and Longos, Achaia. She studied theatre at EMPROS Drama School and Philosophy & History of Science at the University of Athens. She works as an actress, dance dramaturg and assistant director.
As an actress and assistant director, she has collaborated with the directors Natasha Triantafylli, Georgia Mavragani, George Sachinis, Irini Fanarioti, Anna Tzakou, Kostas Papakonstantinou, Aris Balis, Lefteris Yovanidis, Christos Stergioglou, Konstantin Bogomolov, Dimitris Xanthopoulos, Thanos Papakonstantinou, etc. She has participated in performances at National Theatre, Athens and Epidaurus Festival, Greek National Opera, Onassis Cultural Centre, Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, and in many theatres and festivals abroad.
As a dramaturg, she collaborates with the choreographers Ioanna Portolou (Griffon Dance Company), Chara Kotsali, Margarita Trikka (Prolet OCD), Ilias Chatzigeorgiou and Christiana Kosiari. Since 2009, she has been a regular member of Aerites Dance Company as a choreographer’s assistant to Patricia Apergi and as a stage manager of the company’s tour.
With support from The Danish Arts Foundation and The City of Copenhagen
Co-Production: NÜT Dance Company and Breaking Walls Festival – Egypt, This is a Domino Project – Croatia and Warehouse9 – Denmark
Hazem Header: Residency
During his residency at Warehouse9, Hazem Header will continue to develop his new cabaret and solo-performance “MANEATER”, in collaboration with Anna-Maria Rammou and Dimitra Mitropoulou.
Performing to the evocative old songs of Egyptian Singers and composed tracks of Egyptian Politicians’ speeches; A Solo dancer exposes the fractured and toxic relationship of Egypt and its rulers, politicians and Egyptian people as he delves into the complexity of his love for Egypt in an attempt to reconcile patriotism with disillusionment, and light of hope with darkness of oppression.”. It shines a light on his deep rooted connection to his memory of The Egyptian revolution and suggests the power of what hope may do. Poetic and passionate, MANEATER… has an intricate physicality, Egyptian folk dance and is unashamedly romantic in its celebration of lovin Egypt.
There will be a work sharing as part of the residency period. More information coming soon.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Hazem Header is an Egyptian contemporary dancer and choreographer. In 2021, he founded the Breaking Walls Dance Film Festival, Egypt’s and the region’s first dance film festival. Prior to that in 2017, Hazem launched the Breaking Walls Festival, Cairo’s first international festival for site-specific performances. Previously, he combined his passion for movement and artistry to create NÜT Dance Company-NDC in 2013, a legally recognized entity in Cairo that produces dance performances and cultural events. Hazem has gained international recognition for his contributions to contemporary performing arts. He was selected in 2021 as a member of the IETM/International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts’ Global Connectors program and, in 2024, was elected to the IETM Advisory Committee for a three-year term. Hazem earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education, with a focus on personal training, biomechanics, and kinesiology. He also studied at the governmental center, Cairo Contemporary Dance Centre (CCDC) at the Cairo Opera House.
Anna-Maria Rammou (AMR) is a sound artist and composer of electronic music. She creates in situ compositions for live performances. Her work has been released on cassette by various labels, including the Paris-based Vice de Forme and she has performed live at various venues in Europe. Her music is characterized by noisy and electroacoustic elements. She uses analog hardware and programming languages to produce sound and processes live sounds from semi-modular synthesizers, acoustic instruments and field recordings. She is part of Triangle Error, an improvisation group with electronics and clarinet. She hosts a fortnightly radio show, “Under The Seams”, at Stegi Radio. She composes music for dancing performances and films including the award-winning animated short film Pulsión (2019) by Pedro Casavecchia.
DIMITRA MITROPOULOU grew up between Athens and Longos, Achaia. She studied theatre at EMPROS Drama School and Philosophy & History of Science at the University of Athens. She works as an actress, dance dramaturg and assistant director.
As an actress and assistant director, she has collaborated with the directors Natasha Triantafylli, Georgia Mavragani, George Sachinis, Irini Fanarioti, Anna Tzakou, Kostas Papakonstantinou, Aris Balis, Lefteris Yovanidis, Christos Stergioglou, Konstantin Bogomolov, Dimitris Xanthopoulos, Thanos Papakonstantinou, etc. She has participated in performances at National Theatre, Athens and Epidaurus Festival, Greek National Opera, Onassis Cultural Centre, Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, and in many theatres and festivals abroad.
As a dramaturg, she collaborates with the choreographers Ioanna Portolou (Griffon Dance Company), Chara Kotsali, Margarita Trikka (Prolet OCD), Ilias Chatzigeorgiou and Christiana Kosiari. Since 2009, she has been a regular member of Aerites Dance Company as a choreographer’s assistant to Patricia Apergi and as a stage manager of the company’s tour.
With support from The Danish Arts Foundation and The City of Copenhagen
