Is it still far? – Louai Hashem

Is it still far? is a monologue about time, distance and the pursuit of a goal. That goal may gradually reshape, shift or disappear so that the ground beneath your feet becomes soft. But dance and laughter can also be had on soft ground.

In November 2022, three young creators from theater collective BLEEZZ presented a first draft of “Is it Far Yet?” at WIPCOOP Antwerp, then still under the working title IT’S (NEVER) FUCKED UP. Their performance, based on personal stories of migration and resilience, was very enthusiastically received and later awarded the Antwerp Bijou Jury Prize. Although there were concrete plans to finalize and perform the show in 2023, life took an unexpected turn.

Now, two years later, Louai Hashem returns solo to IT’S (NEVER) FUCKED UP. Using the original material and the memories of that time as a point of departure, he revisits the work to explore what it still means today. What started as a collective work inspired a solo with new material and a new title. Coached by Amara Reta and Rashif El Kaoui.

“Is It Far Yet?” is a theatrical reflection on change, loss and holding on to faith – in yourself, in the future.

Concept, text and play: Louai Hashem – Coaching play and direction: Amara Reta – Coaching text: Rashif El Kaoui. – With the support of WIPCOOP/MESTIZO ARTS PLATFORM, Het Fonds voor Talentontwikkeling Stad Antwerpen, Fameus, hetpALEIS, Arenberg, Schouwburg Noord, wpZimmer, c o r s o, fABULEUS.

Louai Hashem is a Belgian-Syrian playwright and multidisciplinary artist. His work moves between theater, dance, image and text – often starting from personal stories and themes of migration, identity and homesickness. He performed in productions by kunstZ, participated in dance and performance projects such as “Multitud” (Tamara Cubas) and The Dancing Society, and created the installation “Freedom” for Fameus. In addition to his artistic work, Louai is also active as a cultural networker and audience worker at the Red Star Line Museum, where he is a community builder developing programs for and with young people, with other creators and new voices in the city.