VANESSA PAYER KUMAR
Cultural worker. Actress.
In her transdisciplinary work, Vanessa Payer Kumar tells the story of historical women through art and theatre. She also artistically researches archetypal essence in all cultures and times. Trained at the Conservatory of the City of Vienna as well as in Paris, she has performed on numerous stages in Austria and Germany, from "der Josefstadt", Festspiele Reichenau, to experimental groups such as the famous Aktionstheater Ensemble and in the improvisation theatre scene. There have been guest performances in London and Seattle. In 2013 she founded "theatre 7", which sees itself as a bridge builder and creates high-quality theatre art in close proximity to the audience - beyond all pigeonholing.
Vanessa Payer Kumar / © Michaela Krauss-Boneau
“I am interested in theatre and art with a vision. That doesn’t mean leaving out tragedy, or comedy, or truth - but I want to see people come out of a play with a sense of inspiration, with a view, a spark, a possibility that they feel for themselves. I believe in the human need to empower each other. Theatre and art can bring that without being kitsch and on many levels.”
Growing older is a privilege and a joy, even more so in a country where we are generally doing well. Some of my friends could no longer experience the living process of ageing with all its advantages and disadvantages. Their passing is like a message to us who are allowed to experience ageing: Skills have matured, experience and detachment bring in the second round of life once again the ability for "high performance", for full, calm commitment to one's "life mission".
Women over 47 are still underrepresented in film and theatre. Not only does this reflect a strange and distorted image of society, female colleagues also find it much more difficult than male colleagues to get roles. Moreover, roles of older women are often filled by young female colleagues; this is not the case with men. They are allowed to portray their own age. This patriarchal and ageist mentality has been breaking down for a few years and mature women are becoming more and more visible beyond the clichés. It is wonderful to be an active part of this time and this development.
“It is not only my concern as a producer and author to bring the forgotten history of women before the curtain, but also as an actress I support every movement that wants to make women visible, especially women from midlife onwards.”
"This story, like all great stories, (is) basically cross-cultural. I have always been interested in the common essence, the archetypal, the universally human in the different cultural forms, and I wanted to show that as well."
Interview on the occasion of the Austrian tour of "Mahabharata" in "Yogazeit" by Lena Raubaum
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"I am an implementer"
Interview with Eva Brenner for the Volksstimme, 09/09/2020
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