MISSA MAMA NOVA

In English

MISSA MAMA NOVA is a performance with dance and choir vocals about femininity, and the last part of a trilogy in which theatre maker and composer Timo Temhuyser creates his very own rituality from Christian forms of worship. The previous work, Missa Mater Sola (2O22) was nominated for the BNG Bank Theatre Prize at the Dutch Theatre Festival.

This programme is part of Edition 70 of The Hague festival for new music Dag in de Branding. See their website for the full programme:

Dag in de Branding Edition 70

A dancer (in the role of ‘a Mother's body’) writhes in and out of the cliché and normative prison of the Woman-as-Mother. A choir of six sons (‘six Queer Kings’) swarms around her and sings in and out of classical notions of song. In the absence of the Father, the singers deconstruct the patriarchal heritage of the Christian customs, in search for new meaning and their own adult voice. A flautist on the side-lines (‘a Mother’s breath’) breathes and controls this polyphonic body of performers. Together, the ensemble breaks open the silent grief of the holy Mother Mary, and transforms it into a celebration of the feminine in every one of us.

About Timo Tembuyser

Timo Tembuyser ( 1991, Aalst ) is an Antwerp and Rotterdam based performer, vocalist, composer and theatre maker.

Mending his backgrounds in architecture, theatre and music, he works with ensembles of voices to create space(s) for honest listening. The longing for connection is deeply rooted in Timo’s practice. As a child of divorced parents living in separate worlds, a queer child in a catholic school and more, he always looked for truth and connection.

After completing a Bachelor & Master’s in Architecture & City Planning at Ghent University (2014), Timo was trained as an Actor & Theatre Maker at the Toneelacademie in Maastricht (2019). After some years in the work field, Timo started the Master of Music Program at Fontys, Tilburg (2024), focussing on Music Theatre & Singing. His intention is - once more - to unite and integrate his experiences within music, theatre, architecture & spirituality.