Jana Jacuka Amsterdam / Riga
HA
A friend of a friend put a hand around me, ha
I’m feeling insecure but I just went hahahaha
In everyday situations, our boundaries are often crossed, leaving us unsure of how to respond. “HA” explores the performativity of laughter as an escaping mechanism. By stripping away theatrical distractions, Jana Jacuka’s solo work emphasises the raw and essential elements of performance, inviting the audience to engage with the visceral experience of extreme vocal practices. “HA” is an investigation of the voice as a choreographic tool. In “HA” the voice becomes an extension of the body.
She grunts, fry-screams, speaks while inhaling and shifts into communication beyond words.
She will come empty-handed.
It’s just the space,
her and you,
and suddenly
HA
Bio
Jana Jacuka (1995) is a Latvian choreographer and performer based in Amsterdam, where she recently completed a master’s degree at DAS Theatre. She focuses on creating performances almost out of nothing, allowing the voice and body to take the main stage. Over the past two years, she has explored extreme vocal practices and the letters H and A. Inspired by her latest work, “HA”, artist Dries Verhoeven invited her to collaborate on his new creation for the Dutch Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale. Performance “HA” was awarded the International Bursary Award (Amsterdam Fringe Festival 2025) and YAA Award 2026.
Address
Accessibility: accessible for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility.
via Orsini 19, Santarcangelo
Info
duration: 50 minutes
language: English, text available in Italian
Credits
coreografia e interpretazione Jana Jacuka
tutoraggio Miguel Melgares
consulenza esterna Bruno Listopad, Ira Brand
sguardo esterno e consulenza drammaturgica Eva Susova, Sam Scheuermann, Toni Steffens
consulenza testi Joachim Robbrecht
editing testi (in collaborazione con) Nicolas Lange
consulenza vocale Moa Holgersson, Monica Janssen, Maria Magdalena Kozłowska
graphic design Estere Betija Gravere
fotografia Peteris Viksna
coproduzione Theater on Gertrudes Street
relazioni internazionali Suzy Blok
fonte di ispirazione “A Mouthful of Tongues” di Stina Fors, “No Title” by Mette Edvardsen, Alma Söderberg, Meredith Monk
performance sviluppata all'interno del master programme di DAS Theatre master programme
e non sarebbe stata possibile senza Amparo Gonzales Sola, Veronika Abdul-Visocka, tutor e supporto di DAS theater
con il supporto finanziario di ATD-Aart Janszen Fund (NL), Young Art Support Amsterdam Award (NL), International Bursary Award (Amsterdam Fringe Festival, NL), State Culture Capital Foundation (LV)
progetto realizzato con il supporto di Ambasciata e Consolato Generale del Regno dei Paesi Bassi
progetto sostenuto da European Festival Fund for Emerging Artists – EFFEA, iniziativa di European Festivals Association EFA, cofinanziata dall’Unione Europea
in collaborazione con Homo Novus (Riga) e Mladi levi (Ljubljana)
© Peteris Viksna