The Forest School - Thomas Janssens

In 1926, the Russian psychiatrist Groenja Soechareva secretly founds The Forest School – a remote place where eleven neurodivergent children can live freely. She does not describe them as ‘disturbed’, but as gifted, and introduces the term “autismus” years before Kanner and Asperger do. Her work is censored. She herself disappears into the gulag. Her name is erased. A hundred years later, a director, recently diagnosed with autism, brings together a number of neurodivergent players. He wants to bring Groenja’s project back to life. Who were those children? What if their future had been given space? Together they explore the big questions: Who determines the norm? What happens when labels disappear? And will the world embrace the ideals of The Forest School now? “The Forest School is an unpredictable but poignant performance about autism” - De Morgen **** From and with Evelien Bosmans, Thomas Janssens, Ann Omloop, Lucas Smets, Britta Tegenbosch, Danté Van Den Broeck, Kato Van Dyck, Heidi Van Immerseel, Oscar Van Rompay, Hade Vlieghe & Tanya Zabarylo Stage Emma Claessens, Astrid Cox & Floris Xhenseval Techniek Lukas Vanhoutte Lichtontwerp Mark Van Denesse Kostuums Judith Van Herck Scenografie Casimir Franken, Nikolas Lestaeghe & Stevie Van Haver Bewegingscoach Steffi Mennen Muziek Kaspar Schellingerhout Zangcoach Inge Minten Grafische Vormgeving Jirka De Preter Foto’s poster Ivan Baetens Sc stage photos Fred Debrock Dramaturgie Daan Borloo Booking and distribution Jimmie Dimmick Productie Woodman speelt vzw in co-production with Arenberg, Het Laatste Bedrijf/Gallop Tax Shelter & MoMeNT Festival With the support of Tax Shelter Maatregel of the Belgian government, Projectsubsidie Vlaamse Overheid, Nationale Loterij, Literatuur Vlaanderen & Stad Antwerpen In collaboration with Compagnie Cecilia, Het Raster & Schouwburg Luchtbal