In March 2025, Isabelle Schad’s practice opened up to a new type of encounter: with a group of choreographers and dancers – only women and of different generations-  coordinated by Isabelle Magnin from Cie. Grand Bal, which travelled to Berlin thanks to the European Erasmus+ exchange project. The group was welcomed and integrated for a week into the working flow surrounding the creative process of Close By, So Far, which had its premiere at Sophiensaele on April 2; they were invited to immerse themselves in the time and space of the unfolding process around the new creation, observing and closely participating in Isabelle’s practice together with the performers David Kümmer and Viviana de Fazio.

A routine quickly began to take shape: at 10 o’clock in the morning, the women, Isabelle, and the performers would gather and start the day by warming up together. In this warm-up, not only were all the techniques and breathing exercises supporting the new piece transmitted (mostly based on principles of aikido, qi gong, and shiatsu), but also the mood and the attitudes that began to inform the show in becoming.

After this intense physical coming together, the rehearsal would begin, and the group of women would “just” witness, in silence, spread around the tatamis, delving visually into the process of repetition, experimentation, into the moments where things magically seemed to work, as well as moments of frustration and friction.

A whole week passed during which the French participants took notes and made comments. The level of involvement, the ability to see and perhaps even feel details, and make sharp observations grew over time as their familiarity with the practice increased, thanks to the daily shared training.

Since the other two performers of Close By, So Far, Aranxta Martinez and Alessandra de Fazio, were absent during that period, it gradually happened that the french women began “organically” to take their place during rehearsals and to perform in their own special and unique way.

In addition to faciliating a full acccess to the physical practice, Isabelle made available all her notes, drafts, as well as the books and literature that inspired Close By, So Far. She was essentially unpacking her practice, which served as a trigger for inspiration for the participants, who also generously gave feedback and produced notes and material that further informed and inspired the process.

It turned out to be an immersive exchange, with an expanded and deep sense of time and space, based on openness and reciprocity.

Below, we include the beautiful drawings by Marie Tassin, one of the participants, and at this link the report by the coordinator Isabelle Magnin.