This Is Not a Dance Nastaran Razawi Khorasani

How do you dance when dancing is forbidden? In Iran, dancing has been officially banned since the start of the Islamic Revolution in Protected content . All dance companies were forced to cease their activities. Many dancers and choreographers have fled abroad. Those who have stayed must be resourceful. How can they keep this art form alive? Iranian-born, Netherlands-based theater artist Nastaran Razawi Khorasani presents “This is not a dance,” a dance performance that explores the theme of censorship. What can be shown, and what must remain hidden?
For her piece, Nastaran conducted interviews between Protected content Protected content choreographers and dancers living in Iran and brings their voices to the stage. How do they cope with the ban on dance? How do they practice their craft, what dangers do they face, and what freedoms are they fighting for? “This is not a dance” is a tribute to the body that yearns to move. As music and light build to a frenzy, Nastaran tries to keep her dancing body under control.
The piece is a celebration of art that simply must be created, no matter the method, form, or shape.
Nastaran Razawi Khorasani (born in Protected content Iran) is a graduate of the Maastricht Institute of Performative Arts.