An EBA artistic residency at Skånes Dansteater (Sweden)
In March 2026, Skånes Dansteater hosted the residency of Fatherhood, a solo by Dodzi Dougban, Deaf dancer and performer. The artistic research explores the uncertainty of Deaf fathers who, after separation, often struggle to stay in contact with their children. Deaf fathers face not just administrative hurdles, but also communication barriers and discrimination.
This perspective – still rarely represented – is expressed through a mix of sign language, hip hop, krumping and contemporary dance. On the basis of interviews, research and his own reflections, Dodzi has been creating a performance which addresses deep and emotional themes such as exclusion, longing and resilience.
The work took inspiration also from stories, projections, and historical references from postwar US soldiers to Mozambican contract workers in East Germany. What emerges is a multifaceted portrait of fatherhood, where vulnerability, anger, and tenderness coexist. The solo draws a deeply personal and political portrait of marginalized fatherhood.
On the 27th of March, during the residency at Skånes Dansteater, there was the possibility to see some of what Dodzi has been working on and find out more about his artistry. It was a unique opportunity to see a work in the creative process. Dodzi is also always interested in meeting the audience, exchanging ideas, and talking about the piece together.
The residency is a co-production with Un-Label and is a part of the trans-national project Europe Beyond Access, funded by Creative Europe – EU, supporting disabled and Deaf artists to break the glass ceilings of contemporary dance and theatre.