CAST FATHER POLITICS

“DANCE MEANS TO ME: Unapologetically expressing myself, embodying the music, sharing my thoughts and feelings and standing up for what I believe in through movement.”

Annakatharina Chiedza Spörri

Anna Chiedza was a participant in the international program at Peridance New York, after which she pursued further training in renowned studios in Los Angeles, New York, and London. She teaches at Tanzwerk 101 and the BASE Dance Studio in London, among others. She dances for commercial providers, as well as for contemporary and hip-hop choreographers in London and Switzerland. She collaborates with Muhammed Kaltuk, Winston Arnon, Simon Donellon, Nicco Annan, and Rhapsody James.

Lea Korner

Lea Korner has been dancing since the age of 5. Starting with ballet, she soon transitioned to jazz and contemporary dance. After completing her high school diploma, Lea undertook a six-month dance program at the Peridance Capezio Center in New York, where she trained not only in ballet, contemporary, and jazz but also in various street styles. In February 2023, Lea successfully earned her Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary & Urban Stage Dance from Tanzwerk101 in Zurich. During her training, Lea had the opportunity to participate in various projects and collaborated with choreographers such as Muhammed Kaltuk, Luca Signoretti, Toschkin Schalnich, Lucas del Rio, Cédric Gagneur, Sabri Colin, and Emma Evelein. She was part of the national tour of Tanzfaktor 2022 (Lucas del Rio), Company MEK’s national and international tour of Father Politics, and performed as a guest in a production by Ballet Basel. She plays the lead role in the dance thriller SYNCOPE, directed by Linus von Stumberg and choreographed by Sarafina Beck.

Since 2019, Lea has also been teaching at various dance studios.

“When I dance, I can feel the full advantage of my existence and process life in every phase I experience it.”

SARAFINA BECK

In 2015, Sarafina decided to complete the Höhere Fachschule für zeitgenössischen und urbanen Bühnentanz, Zurich. The studies allowed her to expand her passion for movement and to reshuffle the cards for her future visions as a dancer. After completing her studies, she began to work actively as a freelance dancer and choreographer. She has been working regularly with Company MEK, led by Muhammed Kaltuk, since early 2019. She has also been working as her own choreographer and as a trainer since 2019.

Schanika Mohn

Schanika Mohn (1994) grew up in Appenzell Ausserrhoden and brings a unique cultural background to her artistic work, thanks to her Swiss-Sri Lankan roots. Her journey into the world of rhythmic gymnastics began at the young age of six. This included ballet lessons with Marianne Fuchs, the former ballet director of the St. Gallen Dance Company. With a strong sense of precision and aesthetics, Schanika won multiple Swiss championship titles (2000–2011), leaving a lasting impression on the scene.

After her athletic career, she discovered her passion for dance and art. She pursued intensive training in various dance styles, including ballet, hip-hop, salsa, and contemporary dance. In 2011, she joined the dance group “les papillons,” with whom she traveled to Cambodia in 2015 to participate in the international circus festival “Tini Tinou.” In 2020, she completed a Master of Arts in Secondary Education while simultaneously joining Rigolo SWISS Nouveau Cirque as a new company member in the dance and object theater production “Sospiri.” From 2020 to 2022, she toured Switzerland with Rigolo under the direction of Marula and Mädir Eugster.

The peak of her artistic career began in 2022. Schanika joined Company Mek, led by Muhammed Kaltuk, and has since toured Europe with the piece “Father Politics.” 2023 marked another milestone: Schanika performed alongside young artist Joya Marleen on major stages, including the Hallenstadion and the Swiss Music Awards. In parallel, she contributed to projects such as “a seat at the table” by Anna Chiedza Spörri and dance performances by Lucas Del Rio and Luca Signoretti.

Today, Schanika thrives both on theatrical stages and in the commercial scene, showcasing her diverse and dynamic ability to merge her experiences in acrobatics and dance.

“Look closely and you‘ll hear me. Dance makes me who i am and how i live.”

WITTHAWAT TONJA

Danceteacher at Tanzwerk 3011 Bern, Dancefactory4you St. Gallen and Romanshorn, MDC Neuchâtel. He dances in contemporary and urban choreographies and for commercial providers; Muhammed Kaltuk (CH), Jochen Heckmann (DE), Jasmin Weder (CH), CultureShock Showcase LA, Chicago, Washington. Wittha did the education Höhere Fachschule für Zeitgenössischen und Urbanen Bühnentanz in Zurich (CH).

“I have my own world full of characters that i can show you”

EGON GERBER

Egon Gerber has been dancing since he was 13 years old. Prior to his dance training, his focus was on urban dance. His keen interest in stage dance and contemporary dance forms led him to pursue professional training. Last summer, he completed a three-year training program in contemporary and urban dance at HF-ZUB in Zurich. Since then, he has collaborated with choreographers such as Jochen Heckmann, Luca Signoretti, Paula Lansley, Sarah Narbutas, Denise Lampart, Beatrice Götz, James Wilton, Muhammed Kaltuk Marco Volta, Muriel Mollet, and Olivia Hernandez. He is active on various stages in Switzerland, working on projects with other freelance dancers and developing his own works. Since 2020, he has been involved in various productions and collaborations with the company MEK.

“Dancing is the water that you pour over the fire”

MOA BOMOLO