All the world’s a stage

This July, I had the pleasure of hosting SHOWTIME, the annual summer dance showcase presented by Tanztempel at Theater Marl.

With 800 people in the audience, the evening celebrated the diversity of dance, from classical ballet and modern show dance to hip-hop, freestyle, and performances by JackBACK and PerSe!, the 2024 German Show Dance Champions. I was delighted to take the audience through this inspiring programme.

Dance has been a part of my life since I was 13 years old. I spent many years performing on stage myself, including productions at Musiktheater im Revier, as well as at private celebrations and public events. Which made this assignment even more meaningful: it allowed me to combine a lifelong passion with my work as a moderator and host, on a stage that is otherwise home to theatre productions, concerts, and the renowned Ruhrfestspiele.

What continues to fascinate me most about live events are the moments that simply cannot be staged. Just before the curtain rises, something happens that no camera can truly capture: the nervous excitement backstage. The electric anticipation in the dressing rooms. And then, the instant the curtain opens, the energy that fills the stage. The atmosphere in the auditorium. A shared moment between performers and spectators. And finally, the applause.

These are the moments that make live events truly unforgettable.

I’m grateful to have shared these moments with the incredible people in front of, on, and behind the stage, and to have played a part in bringing them to life.