Tibau Beirnaert wins creation grant young makers 2023

Dating apps pretend instant commitment, but do they actually facilitate it? With the performance Zero Feet Away (working title), Tibau Beirnaert creates a performance about online dating and alienation. The project marks the start of a long-term collaboration with CAMPO.

Beirnaert studied drama at the KASK & Conservatory in Ghent. Their graduation project FAGGOTS, co-written by Laurens Aneca, was shown at Graduation 2023 and #TAZ23. While in FAGGOTS, Beirnaert takes you on a strange quest for less masculinity and more warm, loving queer futures, the creator feels "the need to make a theatre performance about dating and alienation with their new show."

"Back in search of an essence and vulnerability on stage, because loneliness and emptiness affects everyone. A performance in which, as in my previous show FAGGOTS, I also want to further experiment solo with forms of pole dancing and the extravagant world of drag performers," Tibau said.

Accompanied by a personal plea for more intimacy, Tibau also touched the jury in Ostend, as it received the creation grant for young creators at the end of Septemeber.

"The performance bears the working title: Zero Feet Away, a title that ironically reflects the core of my view on dating apps. Because dating apps pretend instant commitment, but do they actually facilitate it?"

The creation grant is awarded annually by Theater Aan Zee, Sabam for Culture and De Grote Post to invest in the work of young creators in a sustainable way. The winner receives 10,000 euros and can count on a two-week residency at De Grote Post. The selected project will also be shown at #TAZ24 or #TAZ25 and receive artistic support.