Benze C. Werner is a dancer, choreographer and occasional dramaturg. With a background in contemporary dance, Benze works at the intersection of movement, text, live music and voice. Rooted in collaborative and process-oriented working methods, their work is often a remix of artistic research material, personal narratives and desires. Benze loves thematic deep dives into almost anything. Drawn to intense emotions, intimacy and physical immediacy, Benze understands live performance as a space in which people can cry, laugh and encounter one another. The relationship between performers and audience is a central part of their work. Benze is interested in live performance as a space in which agency and ways of being in relation to the world can be explored – between performers as well as between stage and audience.

They graduated from the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln with a Bachelor’s degree in Dance. Benze received the CROSSOVER Scholarship from KunstSalon Köln, followed by the »Sprungbrett-Recherche« Scholarship from tanz nrw and a research grant from the Goethe-Institut for a two-week research stay at the Lesbian Herstory Archives in New York. Benze’s own works have been presented at tanzhaus nrw, Tanzquartier Wien, Ringlokschuppen Ruhr and Rote Fabrik Zürich, among others. As a dancer, they have worked with personalities like Rafaële Giovanola, Katharina Senzenberger, Doris Uhlich and Jäckie Rydz. In 2026, Benze is a jury member of the Berlin Dance Film Festival.

A question currently occupying Benze’s mind: How to love in this fucked up world?