Residency of Jana Jacuka

hosted by International Festival of Contemporary Theatre Homo Novus

Participating countries:

  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Slovenia
  • The Netherlands
  • Theatre
© Pēteris Vīksna

Period

  • From 01-07-2026 to 30-09-2026
Generation #4

Website

Address

Riga

Project summary

Latvian choreographer and performer Jana Jacuka develops a new work in vocal choreography, continuing her research after graduating from DAS Theatre (Amsterdam). Jana vomits sound, grunts, fry-screams, and transforms language into vibration — her voice becoming an instrument, her body the vessel. After exploring the letters H and A in her work HA, she now invites the entire alphabet on stage, uncovering the physical and emotional potential of each letter. Together with dramaturg Eva Susova, she develops new material and leads workshops where audiences discover their own voices.

Artist

Jana Jacuka

Biography: Jana Jacuka (1995) is a Latvian choreographer and performer based in Amsterdam, recently graduated from the DAS Theatre Master’s programme. Working with body, voice, and text, she creates performances that emerge almost from nothing. Over the past two years, she has explored the letters H and A, investigating how voice becomes an extension of the body and a tool to move the audience. Her work HA received the International Bursary Award 2025 at Amsterdam Fringe Festival and was nominated for Latvia’s 100g of Culture Award. Inspired by HA, Dries Verhoeven invited her to collaborate on his Venice Biennale 2026 project. Her works have been shown at Frascati (NL), AUAwirleben fest (CH), Kanuti Guildi Saal and SAAL Biennaal (EE) and other European stages/festivals.
Contact: janaelpo@gmail.com
Website: https://janajacuka.com/
Social media: https://www.instagram.com/jana.jacuka/ https://www.threads.com/@jana.jacuka?xmt=AQF0qLUkDFotnyB75oXfOXIhjByy6W43YpBV35O9lxr9kr4
Work: https://janajacuka.com/ha/ https://janajacuka.com/distance-between-us/ https://janajacuka.com/physical-evidence-museum/

Participating festivals

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