Elina Brams Ritzau is a hybrid of disciplines, genres and forms of expressions – or, in other words: a maker of physical theatre, a performer, a dancer and a singer. In March of 2021, they finished their studies in physical theatre at the Folkwang Universität der Künste and have been working since then in the independent art scene in Germany with a base in Cologne.

As a performer, Elina has worked with choreographers, theatre makers and performance artists, amongst them Elisabeth Hoffmann, Vier.D., boat people projekt, S. Rudat & das (i)dentityteam and CUTTY SHELLS. Together with the musicians and performers Bruna Cabral and Jakob Jentgens, they founded the intercultural and interdisciplinary artist collective CUMA Kollektiv. The first project of the ensemble to last a whole evening, the physical theatre concert Vacation from Love, has been invited to several festivals in Germany and Italy and was awarded the Folkwang Preis in 2021.

In their own work and bodily practice, Elina Brams Ritzau is interested in the ideas of supposed ›absurdities‹ and ›normalities‹ of human behaviour – and in how imagination as well as one’s own positioning guide our understanding of the world around us. Influenced by dance theatre, contact improvisation, partner acrobatics and embodiment, they explore the vivid narrative power of the body and its potential as a place of resistance and empowerment.