Double Sense

Silence and darkness meet at the edge of touch, where dance becomes dialogue. 

Dennis Massar, Issam Zemmouri 

   duration: 30 min

info

In Double Sense, a deaf dancer and a blind dancer meet in a world without sound and image. Their encounter begins on an everyday bench around a forgotten wallet, without realizing that the other has a disability. Through movement, touch, and silence, they discover a new way of connecting. A meeting filled with courage, humor, love, and frustration.  

Out of silence and darkness emerges a powerful unity in which senses and perspectives embrace. The performance asks: how do we find true connection despite our differences? Double Sense is a journey that transcends boundaries, moving beyond hearing and seeing. 

Makers and dancers Dennis and Issam are supported on stage by the dancers of ConCuerpos Inclusive Dance Company. They add extra depth to the concept, amplify the invisible energy, and lift the sensory exploration to a broader perspective. 

Biography

Dennis Massar  

Dennis Massar is a deaf contemporary dancer, maker, and teacher who graduated from ArtEZ University of the Arts in Arnhem. He is active nationally and internationally within inclusive dance, with a particular passion for the deaf community. While active as a dancer and teacher, his heart is truly in choreography, using Dutch Sign Language (NGT) as his artistic starting point. Dennis sees a direct, physical connection between signing and dance. In his work, he explores how sign language and contemporary dance merge into a single fluid movement language. Through this, he creates performances with an entirely new language, making the dance world accessible to both deaf and hearing audiences.  

 

Issam Zemmouri  

Issam Zemmouri is a choreographer and dancer with a unique, visual style. Since 2019, he has been associated with the ZID Theater in Amsterdam. In his work, he weaves contemporary dance with powerful physical expression and strong visual imagery. Using his body, objects, and space, he challenges the audience’s perception. Issam uses dance to explore sensitive topics, precisely where words fall short. Despite his deteriorating vision, he continues to create and inspire without diminished resolve; his visual impairment does not hinder his artistic ambition. His work is an invitation to look at the world differently. 

credits

Dancers/makers: Dennis Massar, Issam Zemmouri

Dancers international collaboration ConCuerpos: David Bernal, Dahlia Carmín, Karen Lorena Lozano Bolívar, Fabián Mariano, Jose Mejía, María José de Cielo, Laura Toro, Laisvie Ochoa, Anneloes van Schuppen, Kamee Frieling

Artistic adviser: Laisvie Ochoa

Inclusion adviser: Irene van Zeeland

Light Designer & Operator: Zaher Hamzat

Sound Design & technique: Jera Topolovec

Campaign photography: Henk Veldhuizen