Category: Theatre

  • Come see me on stage in Basel on April 16th

    On Sunday, April 16, 2023, come see me on stage in Basel, Switzerland. I will be one of four guests of Swiss talk show legend Kurt Aeschbacher. And he will surely have an amazing conversation with each of us. For 30 years, Kurt Aeschbacher had his own talk show on Swiss TV. Now he is…

  • Cetaceans, Octopi, and the Théâtre de la Mer

    I made my way to Sète today, where I spent all afternoon walking and exploring. Thankfully, there weren’t many tourists. A rare opportunity to enjoy this (usually bustling) fishing port city a bit more peacefully. The locals lovingly call Sète the ‘Little Venice of Languedoc’. Rightfully so, since it sits right at the ocean, is…

  • Arles

    Yesterday, I explored Arles a bit. It was great to visit the Arenes d’Arles, a two-tiered Roman Amphitheatre. I was happy to see all the scaffolding and seating, which gave the strong impression that there is just a little pause… until concerts and plays will be back… Overall, the town had abundant charm. Lots of…

  • Keeping The Ghost Light On

    Before Covid19 hit, I worked as a stage manager, mostly for circus shows. It is one of my greatest passions and something I worked hard towards for many years. Now, as I hike and travel through Southern Europe, no matter how beautiful it gets, sometimes it’s hard for me to stay in the moment. I…

  • The Irreplaceable Magic of Live Entertainment

    Since the Covid19 lockdown began in Germany, on March 16th 2020, I am couchsurfing… and trying not to go mad. Here, the borders have opened again on June 15th. But, mostly, I am still on that couch, until next week, when another chapter begins… Have you been splurging on culture as well during Covid19 lockdown?…

  • Entertainment With a Splash: a History of Aquatic Shows

    Ever wondered when the first aquatic theatres with moving lifts were built? When the first performer fell off a bridge into an artificial lake beneath? Or how it felt to be underwater with wild circus cats, goats, and pigs? Aquatic circus shows are technological wonders of our time… or so we think. In this stunning…

  • Under the Big Top with Zirkus Knie: Birth of a Passion

    Come run away with me to the circus… in my article on TheatreArtLife, pondering the intricacies of life backstage… In the words of Geraldine and Franco Knie: “This is our life. It’s what we grew up with. We don’t know anything else. We learned from an early age that the show takes priority over anything…

  • ELĒKRŎN – The Fast and the Voltaic

    In my latest article on TheatreArtLife, let me lure you into the fast and furious world of ELĒKRŎN, the arena stunt show I worked for in Macau from Nov 2018-July 2019. “Our performances were a potpourri of color, flying popcorn, and smoking tires, and they came alive with an atmosphere of joyfulness and audacity.” Read…

  • Don’t Wear That Hat

    My latest article on TheatreArtLife. The wondrous world of theatre superstitions and how they came about. Read the article here. My second book is still in the works as well, just in case you were wondering. I know I am painfully slow. Bear with me. It’ll be out there within the next couple years! A…

  • A Brief History of Cirque du Soleil

    If you are interested in stories about theatre shows and the arts, then this might be something for you: I regularly write articles about life in the entertainment arts here on TheatreArtLife. My latest contribution is perfect for you if you feel like diving headlong into a bit of entertainment history… more specifically: A Brief History…

  • De-limbo-ing Myself

    The wait continues… I’m really not a big fan of being in limbo. So, while looking for job opportunities, I keep doing my best to de-limbo myself by getting productive and continuing to write my 2nd book (as well as tackling smaller projects)… including passing out in between and recharging my batteries for whatever may…

  • The Importance of Kindness

    My latest article for TheatreArtLife. Enjoy 😊 “There aren’t many communities like the entertainment industry, where individuals from multiple backgrounds, languages, and nationalities come together to collaborate intensely in order to deliver a product. Add to this the different mentality and beliefs of each person. And an intimacy backstage which far surpasses any work environment…

  • Cultural Deer

    In 2013, I was able to spend a couple months at the Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada. I’ll never forget my time there. On my daily walk up the mountain from home to the theatre, the cold, fresh air did not only clear my lungs but also my mind. Each time I stepped outside through…

  • Through These Doors

    It’s been just three days since I last went through stage door at the Studio City arena in Macau. And I miss being backstage already. Eleven months ago, our show moved into this performance space. Walking into the arena now, you’ll never even know we were there. Yet the time in between was filled with…

  • Behind These Walls

    For four years, I entered this concrete fortress almost every day. What looks like an oppressive Orwellian government building is in fact the Dragone theater in Macau. A visionary creative endeavor was realized here: The House of Dancing Water. It truly is a show like no other. A fairy tale that rises from below the…

  • The Life of a Show Diver – Part 2

    Check out my latest article on TheatreArtLife. If you’ve always wanted to know what it is show divers actually do in their daily work, then this one is for you! Both, Part 2 (and Part 1 I wrote a few months prior) give you unique insight into a world usually hidden from sight – for,…

  • A Moment With…

    Big thanks to Theatre Art Life for featuring me in their “A Moment With” series. How did I start my career? What was the best role/job/gig I have done and why? What advice would I give my 18-year old self? … and many other interesting questions. Read all about it here …       

  • The Life Of A Show Diver: Part 1

    Once you have worked underwater, you’re forever changed. It never lets you go. Every day, every minute, I am longing to dive again, to immerse myself, to ride exhilarating currents, to marvel at the beauty of underwater existence. After working for many years as an instructor and guide in the Indian Ocean, I came to…

  • Add Oil

    My latest contribution on TheatreArtLife. Remembering when I immersed myself in a Hong Kong Chinese theatre production. I worked backstage, with barely a clue what was going on. It was an unforgettable experience. Because, as I mention in the short story as well, there is nothing more valuable than opening your mind, letting go of…

  • Happy 7th Anniversary to The House of Dancing Water

    Today’s post is dedicated to the entire cast and crew – past and present – of The House of Dancing Water in Macau. The show is celebrating its 7th Anniversary. On the 16th of September 2010, we introduced our creation to the world. An island of magic, fairy tales, water, and light. The show is…

  • Fear is Temporary

    New article of mine on TheatreArtLife. People often assume nomads like me aren’t afraid of moving from one country and opportunity to the next. Well, I can’t speak for all the other nomads and expats out there, but I am certainly always dealing with a mix of excitement and fear when I head out into…

  • Passion vs. Safety

    New article of mine on TheatreArtLife about career choices and passion vs. safety… It’s never an easy choice… or is it? Read the full article here.       

  • First Rose

    My latest short story/article in TheatreArtLife… about the very first curtain call I attended on stage. A formative experience. Click here to read the full story.        

  • Through the Looking Glass

    Here is one of the articles I wrote for TheatreArtLife so far. It is about discovering the magic backstage and re-claiming my muchness. If you like this one also check out the other four articles from my contributor page. I am looking forward to writing more for this exciting new platform over the next few…

  • TheatreArtLife has launched!

    TheatreArtLife has launched! Amongst many other interesting subjects to browse through, you’ll find an array of fabulous contributors sharing their personal stories and experiences. The link here will take you to my contributor page where you’ll already see 5 engaging short stories/articles about backstage life – with more to come Enjoy browsing the site!       

  • Writing for TheatreArtLife

    My first gala premiere in Zurich’s Cinema Corso was in 1993. After a while of working as an usher, I became the designated follow-spot operator for these events, wielding an ancient, uncooperative, and incredibly heavy follow-spot. Ever since then theatre has a special place in my heart. So, I am truly happy to be a…