Nightwalks with Teenagers

When was the last time you played “Fire, Water, Storm” or were challenged to a race by a fifteen-year-old? At dusk, the city transforms into a space of possibility between generations — a space to meet, to listen, and to share. During a night walk, teenagers lure the audience off the beaten path, dance with them along sidewalks, and together they lose their way — deliberately. Driven by a hunger for experience, they invite the spectators to see the world through their eyes.

Discover streets and pathways in Berlin-Mitte you may have never noticed before and experience the power of walking together.

Nightwalks with Teenagers is a walking performance developed in collaboration with students from the Thomas Mann Gymnasium in Reinickendorf. The teenagers plan, design, and lead these public nighttime walks through the city, sharing special places near the Humboldt Forum with the participants.

The performance brings together young people and adults who might otherwise never cross paths. Through play, Berlin-Mitte becomes a stage for shared time — a utopian social space.

Original Production Credit

The Original Touring Production of Nightwalks with Teenagers in Inverness, Canada in 2011 was:

Conceived and Directed by Darren O’Donnell
Coordinated by Saniya Ansari, Saif Azmi, Darren O’Donnell, Stephanie Springgay & Jenna Winter
Locally Coordinated by Amish Morrell
Facilitated by Councillor Jim Mustard
with Teenager Collaboration by The Torontonians

Reviews

“Confessions about first kisses and first love with ice lollipops in Lilipark, hanging out on the playground (…), dancing in limbo under the barriers (…). Some of the ‘old ones’ feel their backs while the young ones keep pushing on (…): a mixed, very exuberant group, ready for deep conversations about things you can’t say and for courageous confessions on tyre swings that you can only make at 16.” – Eva-Maria Magel, FAZ

“Passersby look on in astonishment, as if the world has been turned upside down. Which, of course, it has. Would you let a group of teenagers you didn’t know take you on a very muddy, magical mystery tour? Here […] we are in their hands. And those hands prove surprisingly gentle: they hug us, coax us to reconnect with our childhood selves on the monkey bars; they introduce us to the estate’s resident duck; they perform an absurdly funny play in which they seem to be trying on adult personas for size. All of which leads to the possibility that we might only be playing at being adults. For 90 minutes, these kids give us the gift of being allowed to behave like children again.” – Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

“One of the most captivating projects that it made me recall my teenage days with such fondness that it bursts out of my chest” – Bob Gelsthorpe, This is Tomorrow

Participant testimonial

“I have participated in many events, but looking back, this was the first time I cheered for strangers in a park or challenged myself to do something as part of a large group. I think it was my favorite event I’ve ever participated in.” – Gaku, NWWT Tokyo 2024

To the Mammalian Diving Center website

Nightwalks with Teenagers on Youtube

Nightwalks with Teenagers in Bristol (Vimeo)