Replik_A | Cinematic Theatre | by MEINHARDT & KRAUSS

Here, humanity dances with its artificial doppelgängers and explores the fear of possibly encountering a better version of itself. Here, humanity dances with its artificial doppelgängers and explores the fear of possibly encountering a better version of itself. Like gods, we humans create artificial intelligences and humanoid robots. Due to current scientific advancements in the fields of genetic engineering, AI, and robotics, the theme of the doppelgänger is experiencing a renaissance. Filled with fascination at the prospect of possibly being surpassed by the spirits we have summoned, we move toward singularity, as if we can hardly wait to abolish ourselves. Is humanity an outdated system? In "Replik A," the 'uncanny valley' emerges as a concrete place on stage, populated by puppets, avatars, and a robotic humanoid, all doppelgängers of the human protagonist. Disturbed and fascinated at the same time, he dares to take a look behind the mirror, at the back side of his self, to learn to shudder at the sight of his shadow, his other self, his dark twin. MEINHARDT & KRAUSS consists of puppeteer/director Iris Meinhardt, director/video artist Michael Krauss, and composer/musician Thorsten Meinhardt, who have been working together since 2003. The Stuttgart-based ensemble skillfully merges high-tech and poetry, virtuality and the body into a unique theatrical language. The free ensemble has traveled with its productions to national and international festivals in over 15 countries and has received various awards, including the "Grünschnabel" in 2006, the "Swiss Prize for Innovative Young Theater," and a nomination for the "George Tabori Promotion Prize" in 2015. SUPPORTED BY Conceptual funding from the State Association of Independent Dance and Theater Creators Baden-Württemberg e.V. (LaFT BW), conceptual funding from the Performing Arts Fund e.V., the City of Stuttgart, FITZ! Stuttgart.