WILL

Echoes of a Shattered Self

"WILL || Performance" is a profound experimental theatrical experience that delves into the fragmentation of the self under the relentless pressures of society and the surrounding environment. Through an innovative stage design that dissolves the boundary between audience and performer, the performance delivers a powerful message advocating for connection and understanding among individuals, regardless of their differences—rejecting exclusion and marginalization. This visceral and sensory journey carries the audience through a vast emotional spectrum, shifting from calm introspection to chaos and disorientation, posing essential questions about identity and social transformation.

Narrative and Central Themes

"WILL || Performance" is a deeply immersive visual and sensory journey into the core of human existence, exposing the internal turmoil an individual faces when burdened by societal and environmental influences. The story unravels the fragmentation of identity, depicting how social pressures slowly strip away one’s authentic self in the pursuit of belonging. As these pressures intensify, the process of change becomes increasingly violent and forced, culminating in a brutal internal battle between the yearning for acceptance and the fear of self-erasure.

The performance weaves together several key themes, brought to life through powerful physical expression and direct audience engagement:

1. The Fragmentation of Identity:
   The individual embarks on a path of subtle conformity to societal norms, only for these initial compromises to escalate into a violent rupture of the self—resulting in distorted and scattered identity.
2. The Conflict Between Integration and Self:
   This battle is embodied in the performers' conflicting movements, reflecting the clash between forced assimilation and the desperate need to cling to one’s authentic self.
3. Exclusion and Marginalization:
   The performance exposes how societal structures impose psychological pressures that corner individuals into suppressing or fleeing from their identities, mirroring the exclusion and marginalization prevalent in many communities.
4. The Journey of Healing:
   Amid escalating chaos, a fleeting moment of clarity emerges—symbolized by the use of white powder, representing purity and the reconstruction of self. This moment underscores the need for collective healing, but in its absence, the necessity of self-repair becomes inevitable.
   

PROMO

  5. The Cycle of Life:
The story concludes where it began, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and the endless struggle between self and society. Yet, the ending remains deliberately open, challenging the audience to ponder: Are we truly equal now, or will this suffering continue?

Immerse Yourself in the Artistic Visual Recap Film

Slowly, a soft spotlight begins to bloom at the center of the stage. Emerging within this fragile glow is the first performer (Ali Taifour), positioned in a deep prostration. His body is grounded, subdued, as if weighed down by invisible burdens. With painstaking slowness, he begins to rise, vertebra by vertebra, until he stands upright. His gaze, wide and bewildered, sweeps across the space—a man awakening to an unknown reality, cautiously surveying his surroundings. He moves methodically within the circular center, turning slowly, as though seeking answers from the void that envelops him. And yet, as if overwhelmed by the magnitude of his own awakening, he returns to the ground, folding back into the same position of submission.

Suddenly, the light extinguishes, swallowing him whole. In an instant, a sharp spotlight ignites elsewhere—piercing the second ring of the stage and illuminating a segment of the audience for a fleeting moment before plunging them back into darkness. The gaze shifts.

From the lower-right corner of the stage emerges the second performer (Eline), kneeling solemnly before a delicate tower of wooden Jenga blocks. Her hands move cautiously, stacking each block with meticulous care, as if constructing her very sense of self. Yet, with inevitable fragility, the tower collapses. The light over her vanishes as swiftly as it appeared, leaving behind the echo of failure.

The same pattern unfolds with the third performer (Fatima). She appears seated on her knees, nervously applying white powder to her face. Her motions are tentative at first but quickly spiral into frantic, erratic gestures, smearing the powder in desperation, as though attempting to conceal or redefine herself. The light flickers off, drowning her in darkness.

Then, in the upper-right corner, the fourth performer (Ali Barakat) sits before a piano. His fingers strike the keys—not in harmony, but in disjointed, chaotic notes. Each discordant sound shatters the air, filling the space with a haunting sense of disorder. The noise ceases, and once again, darkness reclaims the stage.

Symbolism of the Scene

• The Prostration: The opening pose symbolizes submission and internal collapse. It reflects how societal pressures can weigh heavily on the individual, forcing them into a state of surrender before they even begin to confront themselves.
• The Jenga Tower: A fragile metaphor for self-construction. The act of building, only to have it crumble, speaks to the futility of trying to forge an identity that cannot withstand external pressures.
• The Makeup and Powder: Fatima’s frantic application of powder represents the desperate attempts to mask or reshape identity, mirroring how individuals often modify themselves to meet societal expectations.
• The Piano's Discordant Notes: The chaotic, fragmented sounds resonate as the internal noise of confusion and psychological conflict. The randomness of the notes reflects the unpredictability and instability of a mind under duress.
  

Interplay of Light and Movement:

As Eline's restless dance unfolds, the stage lighting begins to engage in a calculated, rhythmic sequence:

1. Upper Left Corner: A sudden, sharp beam of light strikes the audience briefly before vanishing. This fleeting illumination disrupts their passivity, forcing them to feel as though they are entangled in the performers’ psychological struggle.
2. Upper Right Corner: The third performer (Fatima) appears, hunched and hiding beneath the piano. She struggles to rise but immediately collapses back into hiding. Her voice trembles, whispering incoherent words laced with fear and hallucination—an audible manifestation of mental unraveling.
3. Right-Center of the Second Ring: A spotlight flares onto the audience again, deepening their sense of entrapment within the evolving turmoil on stage.
4. Lower Right Corner: The fourth performer (Ali Barakat) is revealed sitting on the ground. He attempts to stand but fails, releasing a low, guttural groan that gradually intensifies, echoing the raw strain of trying to break free from an invisible grip.
5. Lower Left Corner: Another beam of light grazes the audience, reaffirming their involvement in this unraveling narrative.
6. Left-Center of the Second Ring: The first performer (Ali Taifour) stands momentarily, seemingly regaining control. Yet without warning, he collapses violently to the ground with a resounding thud. He struggles repeatedly to rise, each attempt dragged down as though some unseen force is anchoring him to the earth.
   

Escalation Through Cycles:

With each successive cycle, the performance intensifies—the movements grow more erratic, the energy more chaotic:

• Eline’s movements fracture further, becoming increasingly erratic, as if ensnared in an endless loop of conflict.
• Fatima sinks deeper into her hallucinations, her voice rising in volume and desperation.
• Ali Barakat’s groans evolve into piercing screams as his struggle to stand grows more frenzied.
• Ali Taifour repeatedly rises and crashes back down, his falls becoming more violent, each impact reverberating louder, echoing through the space.
  

Symbolism of the Scene:

• Audience Interaction: The deliberate illumination of the audience dissolves the barrier between observer and performer. They are no longer mere spectators but active participants in the spiraling conflict. This blurs the line between performance and reality, illustrating how societal forces can push individuals to their breaking point.
• Repetition and Escalation: The cyclical nature of movement reflects the unending cycle of internal struggle and the often futile attempts to escape it. With each loop, the performers are pulled deeper into psychological disarray, mirroring the suffocating weight of accumulated pressure.
• Rising Sound and Tempo: The gradual increase in sound and the quickening pace of the performers’ actions create a suffocating sense of tension. The audience is drawn into a visceral state of anxiety, unable to escape the intensifying turmoil.
  

Visual Interaction with the Audience:

• Lower Left Corner: A fleeting spotlight flickers onto the audience and vanishes instantly, as if warning them against surrendering to this brief illusion of peace.

• Left-Center of the Second Ring: The fourth performer (Ali Barakat) struggles violently to rise from the ground, his movements forceful and erratic, as though locked in combat with an unseen force dragging him downward.

• Upper Left Corner: Another sudden beam of light flashes over the audience, intensifying their sense of involvement in the accelerating chaos.

• Upper Right Corner: The first performer (Ali Taifour) stands motionless, his gaze cold and vacant, piercing through the audience. His entire body is smeared in random layers of paint—a haunting symbol of his complete surrender to societal pressures, his identity now buried beneath imposed layers.

• Right-Center of the Second Ring: A fresh spotlight strikes the audience, reflecting the escalating instability that grips the space.

• Lower Right Corner: The third performer (Fatima) sits curled on the floor, wrapping her arms around herself in an instinctive attempt at self-soothing. Her hands stroke her hair and body in repetitive motions, as if trying to reclaim a fleeting sense of safety.
  

Shifts in Rhythm Across Cycles:

Unlike the prior scenes where tension escalates, this scene subverts expectations—the performance’s tempo gradually slows rather than intensifying. The tension begins to dissolve, replaced by smoother, more harmonious movements.

• Eline continues her seamless dance, as though she has discovered a temporary rhythm that reconciles her inner conflict.
• Ali Barakat gradually succeeds in standing upright, shaking free from the invisible weight that had anchored him.
• Ali Taifour remains utterly still, an immovable figure whose silent presence dominates the space—embodying total surrender to societal constraints.
• Fatima’s once-frantic motions begin to soften, her self-soothing gestures becoming gentler, suggesting she has momentarily found refuge within herself.
  

Symbolism of the Scene:

• Eline’s Fluid Dance embodies the human desire to restore inner balance amidst external turmoil. Her graceful movements reflect a fleeting triumph over chaos, even if only momentary.
• Ali Taifour’s Stillness represents the ultimate stage of submission—a person so consumed by external pressures that he becomes paralyzed, existing but no longer present in his own identity.
• The Audience’s Inclusion through Light blurs the lines between observer and participant. The fragmented bursts of light draw the audience deeper into the emotional landscape, reminding them that these struggles are not confined to the performers—they are universal and shared.
  

Sensory and Visual Engagement with the Audience:

• In the third ring, the lights mounted on vertical stands begin to rotate slowly clockwise, their motion subtle at first, but gradually accelerating. This mechanical rotation creates a disorienting and almost hypnotic visual disturbance.
• Accompanying this visual shift is a steady escalation of sound emanating from the lights themselves, weaving into the atmosphere and amplifying the growing sense of sensory overload.
• In the fifth ring, the three other performers—Eline, Fatima, and Ali Barakat—emerge, pacing in precise, continuous circles around the stage.

1. They chant the word "سوف" in Arabic, "will" in English, and "zal" in Dutch in a rhythmic, monotonous loop.
2. Their voices morph in tone—shifting from a plea to a question, from certainty to disbelief—mirroring the chaotic swirl of inner dialogue that plagues the mind under pressure.
3. Gradually, their pacing accelerates, evolving into a frantic run, their collective voices rising in intensity. The floor becomes a drum of pounding feet and echoing voices, a cacophony that envelops the space.
   

The Climax and Sudden Cutoff:

Without warning, all lights extinguish simultaneously.
The sound ceases instantly.

An oppressive silence and complete darkness swallow the stage, plunging the audience into a void.

For about 15 agonizing seconds, the audience sits suspended in this unnerving stillness. In the pitch-black silence, the faint sound of muffled sobbing begins to seep from the center of the stage—Ali Taifour, reduced to quiet, broken weeping.

Then, even this fragile sound of human vulnerability stops abruptly.

The silence lingers.

• The absence of any light or sound stretches unbearably, leaving the audience stranded in a state of raw anticipation and tightening discomfort.
  

Symbolism of the Scene:

• The Performer’s Emotional Oscillation:
  Ali's erratic shifts between laughter and crying personify a psychological breakdown—a moment where the mind buckles under the weight of societal pressure, rendering emotional control impossible.
• Accelerating Circular Lighting:
  The relentless rotation of lights mirrors the accelerating pace of modern life and the overwhelming pressures that can trap individuals in an endless, suffocating loop.
• Multilingual Repetition:
  The chanting in Arabic, English, and Dutch emphasizes the universality of internal conflict. Regardless of culture or background, the existential struggle for identity and belonging transcends language and borders.
• The Sudden Darkness and Silence:
  The abrupt void of sound and light forces the audience to confront emptiness, simulating the terrifying experience of inner collapse—when external noise fades, leaving only the haunting stillness of a fractured self.
  

The Moment of Awakening

A soft spotlight slowly blooms at the center of the stage, growing in intensity until it reaches half its full glow. Ali Taifour, the first performer, is revealed, kneeling on the ground. His hands are stained with layers of vibrant paint. He stares at them with a look of disbelief and confusion, as if awakening from a trance. His eyes scan the chaotic colors on his skin, silently asking: Who am I? How did I become this?

This is not just a moment of reflection—it is a confrontation with a fragmented identity, smeared and reshaped by relentless societal pressures.

The Symbolism of Cleansing

Fatima, the third performer, enters the scene holding a small container of white powder. She approaches Ali slowly, her movements tender and deliberate. Without a word, she begins to gently rub the powder onto his painted skin, as if attempting to erase the layers of imposed identity. Ali flinches at first, startled by the touch, but soon joins her, brushing the powder over himself.

In an act of mutual understanding, Ali begins to cleanse Fatima in return. This exchange becomes an intimate ritual of restoration—an unspoken acknowledgment of shared struggle and healing.

Moments later, Eline and Ali Barakat crawl toward the center, joining the silent ceremony. Together, they begin to cover each other in the soft, white powder. Their movements are slow and deliberate, transforming into a collective act of purification—a symbolic release from the burdens they've carried.

Childlike Play and Collective Liberation

Suddenly, a spontaneous shift occurs. Fatima, now holding a bucket of white powder, bursts into a playful sprint around the stage. She scatters the powder over the other performers and across the floor with childlike freedom. This unexpected, joyful moment contrasts starkly with the preceding turmoil. It reflects a rare and fragile liberation—a moment where the weight of societal expectations lifts, and they reclaim their innocence and authenticity.


Unity and Wholeness

Gradually, the four performers gather tightly at the center of the stage, their backs pressed together, each facing a different direction—an embodiment of unity despite their divergent paths.

They continue to dust each other in white until their bodies are fully cloaked in it. The chaotic colors are now buried beneath a pure, uniform layer. Their hands move in synchronized motions—behind their backs, then outward—mirroring the steady pulse of the ambient lights and the subtle hum of the surrounding sound.

This shared rhythm symbolizes an unspoken harmony, a fragile moment of collective wholeness.

Explosive Movement and Complete Purification

Slowly, the performers begin to rise, their movements deliberate and heavy. Tension builds with every subtle shift, culminating as they finally stand upright.

Suddenly, the lights blaze to their fullest intensity—100% brightness. The energy on stage erupts into a frenzy of violent, rapid movements:

• One performer stomps the ground with tremendous force.
• Another swings their arms rapidly up and down.
• One spins wildly, raising and lowering their arms in chaotic rhythm.
• Another strikes their shoulders repeatedly.
• One crawls across the stage, slamming their palms into the floor.
• Ali Taifour spins furiously at the center, mirroring a Sufi whirling dervish, his right hand raised and left hand lowered in a trance-like state.
• Eline surrenders to a fluid, expansive dance, her movements now entirely free.
  

The rapid, violent gestures send clouds of white powder billowing into the air, covering the space in a swirling haze. The light bounces off the airborne powder, creating a breathtaking visual spectacle—a blinding storm of purity that spills into the audience, engulfing them in the performers’ cathartic release.

Returning to the Beginning

As the frantic energy dissipates, the performers instinctively gravitate back to the center. They stand once more with their backs pressed together, mirroring the formation from before.

Then, in solemn unison, they slowly bow down into a deep prostration—the very pose in which Ali Taifour first appeared at the beginning of the performance.

It is a powerful visual loop, suggesting either a return to their original state or the start of yet another cycle of struggle and rebirth.

Final Darkness

The lights begin to dim, slowly fading into absolute darkness. Silence envelops the space.

The performance concludes in complete stillness, leaving the audience submerged in reflection, grappling with the ambiguous, open-ended finale.

Symbolism of the Scene

• The White Powder symbolizes purity, spiritual cleansing, and the possibility of self-reclamation—either through the support of others or through personal resilience.
• The Violent Movements reflect the intense struggle to break free from internal and external constraints, embodying both agony and liberation.
• The Return to Prostration signifies the cyclical nature of existence—a continuous loop of destruction and renewal. It compels the audience to confront unresolved questions:

1. Has the individual reconciled with themselves?
2. Or will the cycle of conflict and conformity continue endlessly?

With this final, transcendent scene, "WILL || Performance" concludes its visceral and emotional odyssey—leaving an indelible imprint on the audience, challenging them to confront their own journeys of identity, conformity, and self-liberation.

1. Stage Design and Audience Arrangement

• Dismantling the Traditional Stage:
  The performance rejected the conventional stage-audience separation. There was no elevated stage or neatly arranged seating. Instead, the audience was embedded within concentric circular layers surrounding the performers, dissolving the boundary between observer and participant.
• Expanding Circles:
  The stage was structured into six expanding rings, starting from the central performer and radiating outward to the standing audience in the outermost layer. This spatial design symbolized how societal influence grows from the individual to the collective, drawing the audience into the core of the performance's conflict.
• Sensory Integration:
  Strategic lighting directly on specific audience sections transformed them into active participants, subtly implicating them in the performance’s unfolding tension and mirroring how society unconsciously shapes individuals.

2. Movement and Physical Performance

• Body Language over Dialogue:
  The performance completely abandoned spoken language, relying exclusively on physical expression to convey complex emotions and psychological conflict. Every movement was deliberately choreographed to reflect the gradual evolution from internal repression to emotional explosion.
• Cyclical Rhythm:
  The repetitive and escalating nature of the scenes created an oppressive sense of entrapment—reflecting the inescapable cycle of suffering and forced change.
• Escalating Energy:
  Movements began slowly and cautiously, mirroring the gradual acceptance of societal pressures. As the performance progressed, these movements grew faster and more violent, reaching a climax in Scene Five with the explosive dispersal of white powder.

3. Use of Lighting and Sound

• Lighting as a Psychological Tool:
  Lighting was not merely a visual aid—it was an emotional force. The deliberate shifts between harsh brightness and complete darkness manipulated the audience's psychological state. Spotlights moved between performers and the audience, emphasizing moments of vulnerability and involvement, pulling spectators deeper into the unfolding conflict.
• Rising Soundscapes:
  The soundscape was built around live-manipulated electrical frequencies by Vito Willems, creating an ever-present atmosphere of unease. This auditory tension paralleled the increasing emotional strain on stage, making sound an essential driver of the audience's emotional journey.

4. Symbolism in Props and Materials

• Colored Paint:
  The paint symbolized the imprint of societal influence on the individual. Initially introduced through gentle gestures, it gradually became forceful, symbolizing how subtle pressures morph into violent conformity, forcing the individual to reshape themselves.
• White Powder:
  Representing purity and spiritual renewal, the white powder embodied the individual’s attempt to cleanse themselves of psychological scars inflicted by social oppression. Its communal use among the performers reinforced the idea that healing can be both personal and collective.
• Chaotic Piano Notes:
  The fragmented and discordant piano sounds represented internal confusion and mental chaos. Each scattered note echoed the turbulent, fragmented thoughts of a mind in distress.

5. Audience Interaction

• Eliminating the Barrier:
  The audience wasn’t just watching—they were immersed. By positioning them within the performance space and using direct lighting, the audience became an integral part of the sensory and emotional experience.
• Transferring Tension:
  The director intended for the audience to physically and emotionally feel the passage of time, the escalating pressure, and the suffocating unrest. They were not distant observers but participants, enveloped in the performers' turmoil.
• Inviting Reflection:
  Strategic pauses of silence and darkness provided space for the audience to reflect, drawing them into the emotional rhythm and allowing them to internalize the unfolding narrative.

6. The Open-Ended Conclusion

• Returning to the Beginning:
  Ending the performance with the same prostration pose from the opening scene signified the cyclical nature of the individual's struggle with identity and societal expectation.
• An Open Ending:
  By leaving the narrative unresolved, the director invited the audience to question:
• Has the individual achieved self-reconciliation?
• Or will this internal conflict endlessly repeat?
  

A glimpse into the rehearsals and preparations of the performance, captured by Daphne Wesdorp and  edited by Ali Taifour

Summary of the Directorial Vision

The directorial approach to "WILL || Performance" was designed as a fully immersive sensory experience, weaving together physical movement, light, sound, and symbolic materials to evoke visceral emotional responses.

Ali Taifour masterfully blurred the lines between performer and audience, crafting a shared space where both are bound within the narrative of identity, conformity, and self-liberation. Every detail—every flicker of light, every fragmented sound, and every movement—was meticulously curated to guide the audience through a profound psychological journey.

Ultimately, the performance wasn’t just witnessed; it was felt—a raw and unfiltered exploration of the human struggle to exist authentically within a world that demands conformity.

Blending Live Sounds with Musical Composition

The music was not simply an external layer but a natural extension of the performance itself. Organic sounds from the live show—crackling electrical frequencies, the movement of bodies, and the friction of materials like powder and paint—were intricately woven with original musical compositions. These sounds weren't added merely for depth; they pulsed as the performance's heartbeat, directly echoing the performers’ internal struggles and emotional turmoil.

The Psychological Impact of Sound Effects

Subtle yet powerful audio and visual effects were meticulously integrated to heighten the audience's immersion. The inclusion of shallow breathing, barely audible whispers, and deep vibrations pierced through the subconscious, tapping into the viewer's latent anxieties. This multi-layered soundscape didn’t just invite the audience to listen—it compelled them to feel, as though the sounds were emanating from within their own bodies.

Balance and Precision in Mastering

This intricate auditory experience was elevated by the expertise of Crane Music, whose meticulous sound mixing and mastering added a polished, professional finish. The seamless blending of musical layers ensured that every sound element built in harmony with the performance’s visual escalation. The music and effects rose and fell in perfect synchronization with the on-stage tension, without overpowering or diminishing any part of the performance.

The result was a rich, dynamic soundscape that flowed effortlessly between smooth and violent transitions, between silence and explosive bursts—mirroring the dramatic tension that pulsed through the performance.

Balance and Precision in Mastering

This intricate auditory experience was elevated by the expertise of Crane Music, whose meticulous sound mixing and mastering added a polished, professional finish. The seamless blending of musical layers ensured that every sound element built in harmony with the performance’s visual escalation. The music and effects rose and fell in perfect synchronization with the on-stage tension, without overpowering or diminishing any part of the performance.

The result was a rich, dynamic soundscape that flowed effortlessly between smooth and violent transitions, between silence and explosive bursts—mirroring the dramatic tension that pulsed through the performance.

Editing: A Visual Rhythm That Mirrors the Story’s Tension

The editing in the teaser video was far more than a simple arrangement of clips—it was a form of art that added depth and dimension to the performance. Every transition between scenes was handled with calculated precision, amplifying the shifting sense of time and the mounting inner conflict.

Visual Rhythm and Escalating Tension

The visual pacing was deliberately crafted. Scenes began with slow, deliberate transitions, evoking a sense of claustrophobia and suffocation. Gradually, the editing quickened, matching the intensifying performance and musical crescendo, culminating in moments of explosive physical movement.

Every visual cut was purposeful—leaving intentional silences and stillness that allowed viewers to reflect, only to plunge them back into rapid, jarring movements that mirrored the performers' emotional turbulence.

Manipulation of Light and Shadow

The interplay between light and darkness was masterfully exploited in the editing process. Sudden transitions between brightly lit moments and deep shadows emphasized the alternation between chaos and calm. Every flash of light was charged with meaning, each darkness a pause for reflection, magnifying the overall emotional impact.

Seamless Integration with Music

The brilliance of the editing shone in its fluid harmony with the music and sound design. Every visual rhythm was perfectly attuned to a musical beat or a swelling sound effect, forging a flawless connection between sight and sound. It was as if the music dictated the visuals, or the images translated the music into motion—a symbiotic dance between the auditory and the visual.

The Essence of the Auditory and Visual Experience

In the teaser video for "WILL || Performance," both the music and the editing were not supporting elements but integral pillars of the performance's philosophy and emotional depth.

The music, with its authentic live sounds and inventive effects, conveyed the complexity of the inner struggle, while the editing transformed these emotions into a pulsating, visual rhythm.

The result was a fully immersive sensory experience that transcended sound and vision—plunging deep into the psyche and leaving an indelible mark on the memory.

Every detail of this work functioned in perfect harmony, creating an experience that wasn’t merely watched, but deeply lived through every sense.