Wait to be seated is an intercultural performance project by the collectives She She Pop from Berlin and Sandbox Collective from Bangalore, set to take place in both Germany and India. The participating artists aim to explore the concept of hospitality from postcolonial, feminist, and power-critical perspectives.
The groups alternate between the roles of hosts and guests. Wait to be seated highlights the ethical dimension of hospitality, which in many cultures involves an unconditional and radical openness toward the unfamiliar. At the same time, hospitality is bound by customs and rules. The structure of the artists’ encounters is defined in advance through a set of rules modeled on a “diplomatic protocol,” which is incorporated into the performances. As part of this, the two groups negotiate in advance which elements—such as greetings, the exchange of gifts, and farewells—will be included and how the atmosphere should be shaped, whether formal, ceremonial, or party-like. Each collective then prepares separately and interprets the act of hospitality in front of an audience.
The project explores prejudices, fears, and hostilities and reflects on the political dimensions of hospitality in the context of colonialism and migration. Performances will take place in Bangalore, Berlin, and other locations in Germany and India.
Indian premiere: December 2025, German premiere: Spring 2026.
Funded by the German Federal Cultural Foundation.