A Year without Summer

by Florentina Holzinger

A Year without Summer is a provocative and visually striking performance that delves into the complexities of the human body, identity, and the pursuit of immortality. premiering on May 21, 2025, at Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz in Berlin, this production marks a significant collaboration between Florentina Holzinger/Spirit, neon lobster, and several international partners, including Tanzquartier Wien, Kampnagel Internationales Sommerfestival, and marvaða.

drawing inspiration from the historical "year without summer" in 1816, when Mount Tambora's eruption led to global climate anomalies, the piece explores the intersection of nature, technology, and human intervention. Holzinger examines how the quest for eternal life, through advancements in AI, robotics, and bioengineering, challenges the natural order and confronts the inevitability of death. the performance questions the ethics of self-optimization and the consequences of altering the human body and environment.

  • © Nicole Marianna Wytyczak, in the photo: Achan Malonda / Andrea Baker / Bärbel Warnke / Brigitte Ulm / Constanza Pérez de Lara Bonatti / Fibi Eyewalker / Florentina Holzinger / Jil Liane Schmidt-Fritsche / Luz De Luna Duran / Netti Nüganen / Renée Eigendorf / Renée Copraij / Sahel van K / Saioa Alvarez Ruiz / Sophie Duncan / Sue Shay / Xana Novais 

  • © Mayra Wallra, Bärbel Warneke / Renée Eigendor / Brigitte Ulm / Sue Shay

  • © MayraWallra, Born in Flamez / otay onii / Sue Shay / Luz de Luna Duran 

  • © Nicole Marianna Wytyczak, in the photo: Achan Malonda / Andrea Baker / Bärbel Warnke / Brigitte Ulm / Constanza Pérez de Lara Bonatti / Fibi Eyewalker / Florentina Holzinger / Jil Liane Schmidt-Fritsche / Luz De Luna Duran / Netti Nüganen / Renée Eigendorf / Renée Copraij / Sahel van K / Saioa Alvarez Ruiz / Sophie Duncan / Sue Shay / Xana Novais 

  • © Nicole Marianna Wytyczak, in the photo: Andrea Baker / Fibi Eyewalker / Netti Nüganen / Renée Copraij

direction, choreography and performance: Florentina Holzinger

performance by and with: Achan Malonda, Andrea Baker, Annina Machaz, Bärbel Warneke, Beatrice Cordua, Bláthin Eckhardt, Born in Flamez, Brigitte Ulm, Chris Kringel, Constanza Pérez de Lara Bonatti, Bear Boy, Fibi Eyewalker, Florentina Holzinger, Gibrana Cervantes, Liane Jil Apel, Luz de Luna Duran, MING, Netti Nüganen, otay:onii, Paige A. Flash, Renée Copraij, Renée Eigendorff, Saioa Alvarez Ruiz, Sahel van K, Sofia Borges, Sophie Duncan, Sue Shay, Xana Novais. 

music direction: Born in Flamez, Stefan Schneider

composition: (a.o.) Born in Flamez, Stefan Schneider, Josephinex Ashley Hansis, Noah Reis Ramma, Gibrana Cervantes

live music: Bláthin Eckhardt, Born in Flamez, Gibrana Cervantes, otay:onii, Sofia Borges, MING

additional music production, mixing and arrangements: Philipp Hülsenbeck

sound design: Stefan Scheneider, Olivia Oyamadramaturgy: Felix Ritter, Fernando Belfiore, Michele Rizzo, Sara Ostertag

dramaturgie Volksbühne: Leonie Hahn

assistant director: Xavier Perez

choreography assistant: Sophie Duncanstage: Nikola Knežević

costumes: Christiane Hilmer

technical direction: Emma Juliard, Stephan Wernerstage and rigging: Dörte Wilforth

stage: Jan Krueger, Uwe Sinkema

light design: Kevin Sock 

light: Anne Meeussen, Fabian Bleisch

video design: Zoe Bassi, Max Heesen

sound engineering: Olivia Oyama, Rozenn Lièvre

sound assistance: Fjóla Gautadóttir

stage assistance: Christiane Hilmer, with Angela Ribera, Paulina Jarosinska

robotics: Boiling Head, Zoe Bassi with a thanks to the Roboverse Community

stunt cordinator: Ronny Hornig - Gravity Stunts

coaching: Leon Le Nestour, Elisa Siegmund

intimacy Coaching: Jasko Fide 

intimacy Coordination (casting): Dani Brown and Frida Giulia Franceschini 

production: Sarah Parolin, Katharina Wallischpr and communication: Giulia Messiatour Management: Sarah Parolin

management and international distribution: neon lobster / Katharina Wallisch & Giulia Messia

a production by Florentina Holzinger/Spirit, neon lobster, Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz Berlin. in coproduction with Tanzquartier Vienna, International Summer Festival Kampnagel, Dansenhus Stockholm, DESINGEL Antwerp, Maska Ljubljana, asphalt Festival Düsseldorf, Rising Melbourne, Factory International Manchester, Divine Comedy International Theater Festival / Łaźnia Nowa Theater Kraków and marvaða.

funded by the Hauptstadtkulturfonds and the Kulturabteilung der Stadt Wien. with the support of Bundesministerium für Kunst, Kultur, öffentlichen Dienst und Sport Österreich

thank you to: Ada’s Deli, Alicia Beier, Galen Tipcon, Hector Alberto Tosta de la Rosa, Karsten Schuhl, Sina Lorber, Toxo

performing rights: GODS; Words & Music: By Steinman, Jim © Edward B Marks Music Company Courtesy of Neue Welt Musikverlag GmbH