Together, we are the orchestra of the Earth

With ‘NOW WE ARE EARTH / An Orchestra’, choreographer Nicole Beutler presents a powerful and hopeful performance about the future of our planet. Dance, singing, music, and performance come together as one. The central question: how do we find balance on Earth again? Nicole Beutler collaborates with resident dramaturg Justa ter Haar and composers Gary Shepherd (electronic music) and Timo Tembuyser (vocal music) for this piece. This work is the third and final part of the trilogy ‘RITUALS OF TRANSFORMATION (towards a new humanity)’.

👉 ‘NOW WE ARE EARTH / An Orchestra’ will be shown in our hall OAAS on Tuesday, December 8 and Wednesday, December 9, 2026.

Why are you making this performance?

Nicole Beutler: “As a creator, I want to focus on climate change and the role of humanity in it. As a mother, I worry about the future. At the same time, I want to offer hope through art. We need to dare to think together about how things can be different.”

Change is central in this trilogy. How do you see that in this final part?

Justa ter Haar: “That's right. Although the three parts can be admired separately and no prior knowledge is needed to enjoy them, they are thematically connected. In the first part 'GINKGO', humanity disappeared, and we said goodbye to the world as we know it. In 'ATMEN' (the second part), nature slowly began to catch its breath. Now, in the third and final part, we are searching for a new harmony between humans, animals, plants, and technology.” 

What do you think is needed to achieve that harmony?

Justa ter Haar: “Imagination. The climate crisis can make people feel powerless. Without imagination, there is no hope. We want to show that another world is possible.”

Nicole Beutler: “Indeed. We are not showing a perfect world, but a process. A fragile balance in which everything is interconnected. Everyone is part of that whole: together, we are the orchestra of the earth.”

What does that 'orchestra of the earth' sound like?

Gary Shepherd (composer): “For me as a composer, that is a fascinating question. The earth is constantly making sounds: cracking ice, volcanoes, storms, … Even vibrations that we do not hear, such as the Schumann resonance, inspire me. I translate those sounds into music with rhythms and electronic tones. It sounds both natural and futuristic.”

The choir also plays an important role in the performance?

Nicole: “Absolutely. We always work with local people. Music connects and brings people together. This way, we blur the line between stage and audience, and we can truly think together about what it means to be human.” 

Timo Tembuyser (composer): “For me, music begins with listening. Music arises from vibrations and silence. In a choir, every voice is equally important. That idea of equality fits perfectly with the theme of the performance.”