© Rebecca Schöler
Matilda Materni is a performer and theatre maker based in Leipzig. She studied Art Education in Basel and achieved her Diploma in Performance Art (media art department) by Isabel Lewis and Jule Flierl at HGB Leipzig. Mat completed a Pedagogy Training in Contemporary Dance by TanzZentrale Leipzig and specialized in dance improvisation and floorwork. She attended numerous workshop in the field of clowning and physical theatre, in particular by Peter Sweet, Hilary Ramsden and Robyn Hambrook. She attended somatic and dance workshops by artists Maria Scaroni and Alice Chauchat among others.
Mat's work consist of multimedia performances, that blend physical theatre, dance and video. She is interested in contemporary clown figures: what are their potential as activists, healers and poetic figures within communities. Through her reseach she aims to spotlight the issues within consumption-driven society and optimization of the human body. In the past years she has been showing solo and group performances both in institutions and in the street. She performed in Basel, Halle (Saale), Berlin, Dresden, Venice and Leipzig. She performed in the play "Retama", a piece in the theatrical form of Buffoon by Pablo Franchini, premiere in July 2026 at Neues Schauspiel Leipzig.
Mat's work consist of multimedia performances, that blend physical theatre, dance and video. She is interested in contemporary clown figures: what are their potential as activists, healers and poetic figures within communities. Through her reseach she aims to spotlight the issues within consumption-driven society and optimization of the human body. In the past years she has been showing solo and group performances both in institutions and in the street. She performed in Basel, Halle (Saale), Berlin, Dresden, Venice and Leipzig. She performed in the play "Retama", a piece in the theatrical form of Buffoon by Pablo Franchini, premiere in July 2026 at Neues Schauspiel Leipzig.
Since 2024 Mat and sound artist Elsa Blanc-Brude have been performing together as duo. They call their work "Foolery Noise: an Approach to the Metaphysics of Performing Sound". Their performances explore the connections between movement and experimental sound, playing with field recordings and live composition.
Mat runs workshops in various formats at the intersection of dance, clowning and physical theatre. Topics include "The Power of Doing Nothing", which was held at Shedhalle Zürich in 2024, and "Reflection in Motion", which was held in Leipzig and Basel in 2025 with the artist and curator Gokcen Findikci.
Education - Performances
Listed Performances
RETAMA - directed by Pablo Franchini, Leipzig 2026
Vascarne DUO - Vasca sous la douche, Wasserturm Wagenplatz, Leipzig 2026
Vascarne DUO - Vasca sous la douche, Hitnessclub. Leipzig 2026
YOU NEED THIS: an Optimistic Optimal Optimization, Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst GfzK. Leipzig 2026
Loops in Boops, Helmut Space. Leipzig 2025
Diverse Performances and improvisation, Clown Jam. Berlin 2025
Vascarne DUO – Krachaton. Leipzig 2025
Time Smuggler, Palazzo Bembo and Ocean Space (piazza San Lorenzo). Venice 2024
Lange-Weile, Rundgang HGB. Leipzig 2024
Vascarne DUO– Sound Experimentation with Vasca, Rundgang HGB. Leipzig 2024
Time Smuggler, Outdoor GfzK. Leipzig 2024
Final showing of residency program SoAk, Motorenhalle. Dresden 2023
SMASHPIT II, Food Culture Lab HGK. Basel 2023
ACTION, Theatre Square (outdoor). Basel 2023
Back to the Initial Point, Kulturfrachtschiff MS Evolutie. Basel 2023
Urgent Paradise, Klein und Haarig Festival. Bad Wildbad 2023
SMASHPIT I, Lila Drache. Halle 2023
Education
BA of Arts - Kunstvermittlung, Hochschule für Grafik und Kunst FHNW HGK, Basel (2023)
Diplom Media Art - Klasse für Performative Künste, Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst HGB, Leipzig (2026)
Zeitgenössische Tanzpädagogische Ausbildung - TanzZentrale, Leipzig (2026)
Trainings
Clown, Neutral Mask, Expressive Mask, Buffoon by Peter Sweet
Rebel Clown Accademy by Robin Hambrook and HIlary Ramsden
Laboratory of the Unbeautiful by Robyn Hambrook
Shifting Roots - Alegado Movements by Joe Alegado
FORUM Theatre by Théâtre de l'Opprimé Paris