Premiere:
Tumbleweeds: May 10, 2023, Circus Base Chomutov Festival
Stepní běžci: May 17, 2025, Nuselské Dvorky Festival, Prague
Abstract
Tumbleweeds – performative walk
A tumbleweed is the above-ground structure of various plant species of different origins and classifications. It is a diaspora that, once mature and dried, detaches from its root or stem and rolls away under the force of the wind to find its home in a new and unfamiliar place. There are people among us who live their lives like tumbleweeds… and many of them can be found in the theatre.
Tumbleweeds is project with an open form composed of a series of performances presented in non-theatrical spaces. All iterations are connected conceptually by their themes as well as by their form. They make use of contemporary circus techniques and audience participation. The performances intervene in public space, where performers, invited audience members, and random passers-by all become part of the event. The invited portion of the audience is involved through interactions with the performers and through game-like elements and procedures inspired by game design.
The central theme of the project is the question of “finding a home in a foreign land.” For this purpose, the project seeks out specific locations in which it temporarily settles, reshapes them through its presence, and then leaves again. For each next performance, a group of guest artists is invited to enrich the concept with their own life and artistic experience. Each presentation is therefore unique in its character.
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Stepní běžci – game based walk
Stepní běžci is a project that combines a performative walk with an urban game. It is ideal for those who love games of all kinds—from board games and adventure games to those you find in the theatre or under the big top. The experience puts you in the role of experimental botanists whose main task is to use a special map to explore botanical anomalies in designated areas. In hidden corners of public space, a group of performers temporarily settles. Your job is to find them all, observe their specific strategies for inhabiting space, and, based on your findings, design the ideal garden for their cultivation and further research.
At the beginning, you will receive a map and a garden layout. From the starting point marked on the map, you will follow signs and information from the educational trail to discover new locations and their unique features. The route is partially open, you will be able to choose between two possible paths, or even turn back. If no new locations appear on the trail, you have found all the tumbleweeds. Complete your garden design and proceed to the final point. The game is now over.
Warning! This performance-game has an interactivity level of 12 out of 10. Anyone who doesn’t read the rules won’t find anyone, and won’t see anything.
Video trailer
Full lenght video
What are we looking for
Ideally, considering the complexity of preparation and the following effortlessness of repeat performances, we would like to establish cooperation with venues where, after initial rehearsals, it would be possible to present the project repeatedly, rather than just once.
The Steppe Runners project in particular could work well as a special program in venues where admission is charged and the main program is non-performative in nature, botanical gardens and amusement parks, or possibly galleries.
However, we definitely welcome any interest from cultural organizations and festivals that will enable the realization of projects in interesting public or non-theatrical venues.
Creative Team
Tumbleweeds
Concept & performing: Lenka Švolíková
Music: Roman Džačár
Drawings & graphics: Lenka Švolíková
Graphic consulting: Ondřej Holba
List of guest performers:
Børre Isac L’orange, Martin Haugland Sundby, Marc Verhille, Glynis Hull-Rochelle, Emílie Benešová, David Diez Mendez, Tomáš Václavek, Mattia Comisso, Gloria García Montiel, Martina Vaněčková, Lucie Bartošová, (Jan Brand), Helena Škovierová, Cécile Da Costa, Klára Hajdinová, Kristýna Pospíšilová, Matěj Koudelka, Bětka Tichá, Dan Fajmon, Helena & Jakub Urban, Míša Stará, Ondřej Holba, Kateřina Vaněčková, Malina J. Petrlíková, Šárka Zavadilová, Bětka Jankovská, Tereza Hejdová
Co-production: CIRQUEON
Partners: State Fund for Culture of the Czech Republic, CIRQUEON & Circus Base, Moving Station, KD Mlejn, MČ Praha 13
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Stepní běžci
Concept & performing: Lenka Švolíková
Supervision: Lukáš Brychta
Music: Roman Džačár
Visuals & maps: Lenka Švolíková
Graphic consultation: Ondřej Holba
List of guest performers:
Katka Vaněčková, Katka Klusáková, Ondřej Holba, Jakub Pešek, Emílie Benešová, Helena & Jakub Urban
Partners: Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, State Fund for Culture, CIRQUEON, and KC Svoboda
Technical requirements
Forms of presentation
Site specific.
Information about the company
Ensō Company
The company was founded in the autumn of 2024, building on the long-term work of its founding members in the field of contemporary circus and physical theatre. It follows up on creative activities that were, for four years, produced and supported through collaboration with the Mime Studio association. During this period, the performances Stories Told by the Moon, Sandwritten, and Tumbleweeds were created.
Ensó is being established as an independent entity with the aim of providing production support for its existing work and expanding its activities within the field. The founding members are Lenka Švolíková, Katarína Ballová, and Ondřej Holba. The establishment of this company was preceded by a presentation of its ideas at the conference of the Czech Association of Contemporary Circus.
Lenka Švolíková – Performer, author and teacher
Lenka graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava and spent her master’s degree studying at DAMU in Prague and at local theaters (Divadlo Na zábradlí, MDMB, and Farma v jeskyni). After completing her studies, she began collaborating with circus organizations such as CirkusKus, KD Mlejn, and CIRQUEON.
In her own work, the relationship between the work and its viewer is central to her. Currently, she is primarily interested in participatory and immersive projects. Her work repeatedly features a combination of visual art and physical theater. She uses contemporary circus techniques, especially aerial acrobatics on a vertical rope, while the character of her movements is strongly influenced by her experience in dance and martial arts.
