ABOUT | Leandrokees

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About

Leo Kees is an interdisciplinary artist working at the intersection of performance, visual arts, and digital media. Born and raised in Patagonia, he began with film and theatre studies before moving to Germany to study at the Folkwang Universität der Künste, following his interest in Pina Bausch's artistic approach.

From 2010 to 2025, he developed works that aimed to translate philosophical and political-biographical questiins into performative formats for diverse audiences across ages, languages, and contexts. These productions toured in more than 20 countries—often in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut—and were presented at the Sydney Opera House, Sadler’s Wells (London), Schauspiel Frankfurt, Tanzhaus Zürich, Theatertreffen NRW, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Augeblickmal Festival Berlin, and the New Zealand International Festival, among others.

His practice is structured by a fluid movement between learning, teaching, and creation. He worked for over ten years as a guest lecturer at the Folkwang University of the Arts and is currently researching at the intersection of artistic, scientific, and entrepreneurial knowledge.

His newest work focuses on how learning becomes a lived, embodied practice—and how artistic settings can make processes of understanding, doubt, and re-orientation a shared experience. He is interested in researching how information and interpretation shape our notion of reality and, consequently, our capacity for action.

He explores how social systems are learned and embodied, and what it takes to step outside normative behaviours to explore different rational, emotional, and somatic patterns.

Leaving room for humour and empathy, he treats the fear of exposure as a productive tool for revealing blind spots and creating conditions to engage openly with less familiar facts, perspectives, experiences, and sensations.

Current Research & Production Focus

Thematic: Framing individual and collective learning as a performative practice; exploring the relationships between information, interpretation, and imagination; examining the tension between data production and the perception of reality; questioning established knowledge canons; and investigating the interplay between cognitive, somatic, and emotional dimensions of learning.

Formal: ANALOGUE: Performances for museums, theatres, conference settings, and unconventional spaces; intergenerational and durational works with fluid boundaries between observers and performers. DIGITAL: interviews and audio recordings as tools for reflection and documentation; performances for digital spaces; use of A.I. for creative processes and artist reflection.

Methodological: Using non-fiction books and essays as starting points for artistic processes; collaborating with scientists and researchers; fostering open and collective creation; facilitating experimental exchanges between professionals and amateurs, exploring the interaction between cognitive, somatic, and emotional learning.

Press Statements

"Some of the most brilliantly imaginative, humorous, touching theatre I have seen this year. Through a combination of dance, conversation and drawings, they tell their stories. [...] they touch, glancingly, on subjects such as sexuality, nationalism, sex, feminism, loneliness and grief. [...] it is a modernist novel, in dance. But it's infinitely more interesting than either genre (or that description) would lead you to believe."

★★★★★ THE TIMES about ‘Chalk About' prod. by Curios Seed (Edinburgh / UK).

"A genuinely exhilarating production [...] Seldom does theatre tackle the idea of life’s great show so casually, so lightly, and yet so entertainingly."

FRANKFURTER ALLEGEMEINE ZEITUNG about 'Slow Motion - Roller Coaster'

"In just 50 minutes, it leads its audience deep into the stuff of human identity, using movement and dialogue to discuss family and origins, nationality and gender, happiness, sadness and the way we express ourselves."

★★★★ THE SCOTSMAN about 'Chalk About'

"As with all successful shows created for young audiences, there is enough nuance in the work that there is something thought-provoking for an eight year old, as well as for those many decades older."

★★★★ SYDNEY MORNING HERALD about 'Chalk About'

"Both performers chat to us about themselves, their personal history, their likes and dislikes, with an affable honesty that is utterly engaging – but the real charm of their disclosures is where it takes young audiences in terms of thinking about how we all define ourselves, and how we make judgements about others based on appearances. There is a sophisticated, caringly-detailed process underpinning this generous-hearted show."

★★★★ THE HERALD about 'Chalk About'

“A wonderful, radical confusion without safety net, which despite its reduced

surface comes out as a wild piece of Performance-Theater.”

WESTWIND FESTIVAL about 'THE ARTE PIECE'

"The diversity of resources is highly impressive: dance, animated drawings, audio recordings, lighting, interaction with the audience. It's a firework of all the possibilities theatre has to offer."

Augenblickmal! Festival Berlin about 'TRASHedy'

"A fast-as-lightning change of performative attitudes is a trademark of this show, from rage attacks to emphatic demonstration of facts or teenage-like exuberance. Grüne Soße and performance artist Leo Kees got together to stage a production that delivers unusual physicality, spontaneity and an appetite for the undefinable."

FAZ (FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG) about 'Sex, Drugs, Ethics, History and Rock&Roll'

Awards, Grants and Nominations

2025, Frankfurt (DE)

Karfunkel Prize for ’High’ (Regie Leo Kees/Rob Vriens) - performed by Theaterhaus Ensemble

2022, Bochum (DE)

Main Jury Prize at Westwind Festival for ’Spectacular Failures’ - performed by performing group

2021, Köln (DE)

Audience Prize at Westwind Festival for ’THE BIG PICTURE’ - performed by Fetter Fisch

2016, Gelsenkirchen (DE)
Main Jury Prize at Westwind Festival for 'Das Unsichtbare Haus' - State Theatre of Münster

2016, Düsseldorf (DE)
Nominated for the Prize 'Förderpreis NRW'

2014, Marseille (FR)
Recipient of the Production Grant 'Tryangle' for the show 'For Pleasure' - tanzhaus nrw - performed by performing group

2013, Bonn (DE)
Main Jury Prize at Westwind Festival for 'TRASHedy' / tanzhaus nrw - performed by performing group

2013, Bonn (DE)
Audience Prize at Westwind Festival for 'TRASHedy' / tanzhaus nrw - performed by performing group

2012, Düsseldorf (DE)

Nominated for the Prize 'Förderpreis für darstellende Künste der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf'

2012, Neuquén (AR)
Main Jury Prize at Festival 'Selectivo Provincial de Teatro' for 'Antropomorfia'

2010, Dresden (DE)
Recipient of the Production Grant 'Tanzplan Deutschland' for 'Antropomorfia'

(Hellerau, Semperoper, Palucca)

2009, Essen (DE)
Folkwang Prize to Ximena Ameri for the piece 'Eine Odyssee' - directed by Leo Kees

2006, Ludwigshafen (DE)
Finalist at the 'No-Ballet' Festival and Dance Competition with 'Protecciones'

2006, Salt Lake City (US)
Winner of the International Dance for Camera Festival with 'SFGHSF'

Museum Performances

Museums that have hosted and/or commissioned installations and interventions directed by Leo Kees

2006 — Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Argentina)
Dance installation and photo shoot in collaboration with photographer Roberto Hernández Queijo and students of Escuela Experimental der Danza Contemporánea Neuquén.

2010 — Albertinum, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (Germany). Durational performances for the museum’s inauguration and reopening, organized by Tanzplan Dresden. Work: Adaption — inspired by Charles Darwin’s book The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals.

2014 — LWL Museum für Kunst und Kultur Münster (Germany) Direction of the opening performance for the new main building, commissioned by the museum for this occasion. Project developed in cooperation with Fetter Fisch Performance Theater.

2026–2028 — The Europe Trilogy - Diverse Museums
Physical lecture-performance developed in collaboration with different museums. Currently, in the planning phase.

Theatre Venues & Festivals

(Narrow selection of venues that have presented and/or co produced works directed by Leo Kees)

2009 – Writing on water – PACT Zollverein (Germany)

2010 – Antropomorfia – Semperoper – Dresden (Germany)

2014 – Chalk About – Sadler’s Wells – London (UK)

2014 – Chalk About – Edinburgh Festival Fringe – (UK)

2014 – Chalk About – British Dance Edition (UK)

2015 – TRASHedy – Augenblickmal Festival (Germany)

2015 – Chalk About – Sydney Opera House (Australia)

2015 – TRASHedy – NCPA Mumbai (India)

2015 – Chalk About – Showbox Festival Oslo (Norway)

2015 – Chalk About – Arts Centre Melbourne (Australia)

2016 – TRASHedy – Performing Arts Fest. Reykjavik (Iceland)

2016 – Unsichtbares Haus – Stadttheater Münster (Germany

2016 – Chalk About – New Zealand Festival (New Zealand)

2016 – TRASHedy – Rotondes Luxembourg (Luxembourg)

2016 – TRASHedy – Tweetakt Festival Utrecht (Netherlands)

2016 – Chalk About – Tanzhaus Zürich (Switzerland)

2018 – The Strangers –International Festival Seoul (S. Korea)

2018 – The Strangers – Ricca Ricca Festival Japan (Japan)

2019 – The Strangers – Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (Thailand)

2019 – The Strangers – D.P.A.C Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

2019 – Oh Yeah Baby! – Theater Oberhausen (Germany)

2020 – Chalk About – S. Roberts Theatre Philadelphia (USA)

2021 – Spectacular Failures – Tanzhaus NRW (Germany)

2021 – Oh Yeah Baby – Staatstheater Kassel (Germany)

2021 – Wir Sind Die – Goethe-Institut Kolkata (India)

22022 – Apokalypse – Fest. Politik im Freien Theater (Germany)

2022 – Alice – FFT Forum Freies Theater (Germany)

2023 – The Big Picture – Museumsquartier Vienna (Austria)

2023 – Echt Jetzt!? – Theater Regensburg (Deutschland)

2024 – FOOD SHOW COMEDIA Theater, Köln (Germany)

2025 – 1984:reimagined – State Theater Paderborn (Germany)

Stage Texts

2010 — Antropomorfia. Text and movement score aims ti translate Dawins "The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals" into a physical theatre piece, shaped by the experience of losing language through migration. Created with the Tanzplan Dresden grant.

2011 — TRASHedy. Text and movement score inspired by Daniel Goleman’s Ecological Intelligence, addressing CO2 footprints and environmental restrictions. Developed with performing:group. Winner of the Bestweind Prize (Best Production of the Year); over 300 performances worldwide.

2013 — Calk About. Biographical exploration creating a multilayered, multilingual text that works with words, symbols, drawings, and objects to invite interpretation across generations. Created with Christine Devaney. Five-star review in The Times (UK).

2016 — Das Unsichtbare Haus. Commissioned by Theater Münster, this multimedia production uses Bill Bryson’s Home to explore what “home” means, through migration histories and biographical perspectives. Dramaturgy: Julia Hesse. Winner of the Bestweind Prize (Best Production of the Year).

2017 — The Art Piece. Absurd, disruptive text and movement score that “explains” art through a satirical interview setup, including a colonial critique and a Regina Galindo–like figure. Performed, among others, at Starke Stücke Festival and Westwind Festival.

2018 — Sex, Drought, Ethics, History and Rock and Roll. Theatre play for mixed audiences on the education system’s blind spots around the themes in the title, drawing on examples from school curricula in Hessen. Final edit with Kathrin Marder, Friederike Schreiber, and Ossian Hain. Performed regularly since 2018.

2019 — The Big Picture. Lecture-performance for two women examining activism, protest, art, and creation through iconic images as forms of political creativity. Co-written with Cornelia Kupferschmied and Silvia Andringa. Winner of the Westwind Publikumspreis.

2020 — Apocalypse Resistance Training. Biographical theatre work based on interviews with three performers (45–70) about public protest across decades in Frankfurt, Berlin, and the DDR. Developed with Willy Combecher, Detlef Köhler, and Verena Specht-Ronique. Performed, among others, at the festival Politik im Freien Theater.

2023 — Echt jetzt?! Commissioned by Theater Regensburg: a two-performer play about a show going wrong, audience expectations, and continuing when plans collapse. Premiered at Theater Regensburg.

2024 — The Food Show! Text for a documentary performance as a live podcast, with two figures tracing personal experiences of trying to quit sugar and the ongoing struggle of staying away from it.

Text adaptations for stage

2010 — The Metamorphosis. Free physical-theatre adaptation of Kafka, developed from a non-victim perspective, with an altered ending in which Gregor confronts the father figure. Informed by a queer-biographical approach. Commissioned by the Folkwang University of the Arts.

2023 — Die Entdeckung der Langsamkeit. Stage adaptation of Sten Nadolny, developed from an ADHD- and gender-egalitarian perspective, foregrounding neurodiversity and avoiding an imperial-hero narrative. Written with Friederike Schreiber and Günter Henne. Premied at Theaterhuas Frankfurt.

2024 — Where Is Banksy? Duo performance adapted from Banksy interviews, refusing the myth of the male rebel and proposing Banksy could just as well be a woman. Final edit with Cornelia Kupferschmied. Premiered at Theater an der Meerweise Münster.

2025 — 1984: Reimagined. Comissioned work. Contemporary stage adaptation of Orwells 1084, developed from a gender-egalitarian perspective, with impulses from Sandra Newman’s "Julia" and texts by Brazilian judge Andrea Pachá. Final edit with Heike Seidler. Premiere at the state theatre of Paderborn.

Publications

2020 ixypsilonzett 1/2020. An Act of Translation— a discussion about risk, patience, and globalisation with directors Leo Kees, Verena Regensburger and Mina Salehpour, moderated by Gerd Taube.

ISSN 0040-5418.

Studies

2016–2017: Postgraduate studies in Cultural Management, University of Córdoba, Faculty of Economics (Argentina). Focus: Management of cultural institutions, labor markets in the arts sector, big data and social sciences, quantitative methods in cultural analysis, organization and production of artistic, cultural, and social projects in public and unconventional spaces.

2008–2009: Folkwang Tanzstudio / FUdK Essen. Performer and choreographer at the Folkwang Tanzstudio under the artistic direction of Pina Bausch and Rodolpho Leoni. Applied research in Multimedia and Videoscenography.

2007-2208: Institut für Computermusik und Elektronische Medien. Two semesters guest student at the ICEM Institute for Computer Music and Electronic Media, Folkwang Universität der Künste. Subjects: Composition and New Media, Visualization, Interplay of Music, Video and Space, Film Analysis. Professor Dietrich Hahne.

2001-2006: Folkwang University of the Arts Essen. Contemporary Dance Degree. Professors: Malou Airaudo, Libby Nye, Dominique Mercy, Juan Kruz Díaz de Garaio Esnaola, Lutz Förster. Additional subjects: Improvisation, Composition, Partnering, Music, Alexander Technique, Repertoire of Pina Bausch, Susanne Linke, and the Limón Company.

1999: Student at the National School of Drama. Argentina (now: Universidad Nacional de las Artes), first year of Theatre Studies Subjects: Acting (Stanislavsky method, emotional memory), Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Movement Training, Art History, Theatre History.

1998: Film Studies at the Instituto Universitario Patagónico de Arte (1st year). Subjects: Film history, film analysis, editing, camera work, psychology, scriptwriting, new digital media.

Training Programs & Certifications

2025–2028 Feldenkrais Teacher Training. Organized by the Feldenkrais Ausbildungsinstitut, directed by Patrick Gruner. First cycle focuses on teaching group ATM lessons; Second cycle focuses on Functional Integration. Certified by the International Coaching Federation and the Feldenkrais Verband Deutschland. (currently studying).

2026 Systemic Coach Program. Directed by InKonstellation GmbH. Focus: communication coaching, career coaching, Nonviolent Communication, conflict management, Mediation(Harvard Business Model). Certified by the International Coaching Federation and Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK). Endorsed by the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung. (currently studying).

2026 A.I. Certifications. Starting 2026, I have been exploring online courses in artificial intelligence to understand how AI can support creative processes and the self-management of independent artists. The certifications listed above reflect my current focus and will continue to expand over time.
- IBM: Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals Certificate
- University of Helsinki: Course Elements of AI
- N8N: agent building and automation

Teaching experience

2010–2023 – Guest Lecturer in Physical Theatre,

Folkwang University of the Arts, Essen (Germany)

2026 –Interdisciplinary Workshop Serotonin Lab.

Tanzhaus NRW Düsseldorf (Germany)

2025 – Training Workshop for Professional Dancers,

Mousonturm Frankfurt am Main (Germany)

2023 – Improvisation and Choreography, Guest Lecturer,

Universidad de Yucatán (Mexico)

2023 – Improvisation Workshop,

Camp-IN Festival Yucatán (Mexico)

2019 – Improvisation, Workshop at the Goethe-Institut (Malaysia)

Performing Arts Centre Kuala Lumpur

2019 – Composition and Improvisation, Workshop at the

School of Fine Arts, Dance Department, Manila University (Philippines)

2018 – Improvisation Workshop as part of The Strangers,

Goethe-Institut Seoul (South Korea)

2017 – Composition and Improvisation, Guest Lecturer

Instituto Universitario Patagónico de Artes (Argentina)

2016 – Tanztheatreprojekt

Folkwang University of the Arts Essen/Bochum (Germany)

2016 – Guest Lecturer in Contemporary Dance

EEDC (Escuela Experimental de Danza Contemporánea, Neuquén (Argentina)

2016 – Professional Training in Contemporary Dance

Stadttheater Bielefeld (Germany)

2015 – Direction of physical theatre project Darwin,

Folkwang University of the Arts, Essen (Germany)

2013 – Professional Training for the Dance Company,

Stadttheater Bremen (Germany)

2012 – Students Project, graduation class

Escuela Profesional de Danza Contemporánea,(Mexico)

2011 – Guest Lecturer for a project with graduates of the

Escuela Experimental de Danza Contemporánea (Argentina)

2011 – Improvisation Workshop

Stadttheater St. Gallen (Switzerland)

2010 – Direction of physical theatre Die Verwandlung,

Folkwang University of the Arts, Essen (Germany)

2009 – Improvisation, Guest Lecturer, I

IUPA Instituto Universitario Patagónico de Artes, (Argentina)

2008 – Contemporary Dance Technique and Professional Training, Tanzhaus NRW Düsseldorf (Germany)

2008 – Release Technique, Guest Teacher.

Company Neuer Tanz, Düsseldorf (Germany)

2007 – Contemporary Dance Training, Guest Teacher.

Folkwang Tanzstudio, Essen (Germany)

2007 – Release Technique and Improvisation,

Company Lia Rodrigues Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

2007 – Improvisation Professional Training,

Tanzhaus NRW Düsseldorf (Germany)

2006 – Contemporary Dance Training, Guest Teacher,

Folkwang Tanzstudio, Essen (Germany)

Literature

Julia Dina Hesse. PhD dissertation. In-depth analysis of the content, form, and creative process of TRASHedy: Die Narrative des Anthropozäns in den Darstellenden Künsten für junges Publikum. Theatrale Erprobungen von Handlungsmacht und Repräsentation aus post-anthropozentrischer Perspektive.

Gabi den Droste / Schribi Verlag. Hans-Wolfgang Nickel (Hg.): Spiel – Theater – Medien. "Über die Kunst, Unerwartetes einzuladen". Analysis and contextualization of the performance "Chalk About" (chapter: Tanz).

ISBN 978-3-86863-167-8.

Martina Kessel / Theater der Zeit. Das tanzhaus nrw: Vom Utopie zum Zukunftsmodell. Johannes Odenthal (Hg.). Works by Leo Kees discussed in the chapter “Junges Tanzhaus”

ISBN 978-3-943881-54-7.

Melanie Suchy / Theater der Zeit. TANZLAND NRW. Positions on contemporary dance in North Rhine-Westphalia. Works by Leo Kees discussed in the chapter “Stadt-Land-Tanz”..

ISBN 978-3-95749-008-7.

Tanz – Zeitschrift für Ballett, Tanz und Performance. January 2023. Short article “Social Media / Mehr Publikum” on the video-portrait series created for social media.

ISSN 1869-7720 / ISSN 2942-481X.

Tanz-Journal 09/2 (April 2009). Magazine cover and short article on the production “Writing on Water” for the Folkwang Tanzstudio. I

ISSN 1611-0803.

Works as Performer

2000 — Brenda Angiel / “Otras Partes”. Aerial dance piece developed for the Festival de Danza Teatro of Buenos Aires. Performed at Teatro Margarita Xirgu, Teatro Jorge Eliécer Gaitán Bogotá and Medellín international Festival.

2002 — Samir Akika / “Sharks”. Dance-theatre production directed by French-Algerian choreographer Samir Akika. Premiered at tanzhaus NRW, Düsseldorf.

2002 — Schorsch Kamerun / “Hollywood Elegien”. Absurd musical in which punk aesthetics collide with references to Hanns Eisler and Bertolt Brecht. Premiered at Ruhrtriennale.

2003 — Samir Akika / “Boulevard Lafayette”. Recast as performer for a repertory work by choreographer Samir Akika. Performed, among others, at Kunstencentrum Vooruit / VIERNULVIER in Ghent, Belgium.

2004 — Mark Sieczkarek / “Spartacus III”. Dance-theatre piece created by Pina Bausch dancer Mark Sieczkarek, exploring archetypal figures of male iconography and clichés. Performed in venues in and around Essen / Ruhr area contexts.

2005 — Limón Dance Company / “Psalm”. Restaging of an iconic Limón Company repertory work with original company members (incl. Roxane D’Orléans Juste and Carla Maxwell). Performed at the Neue Aula Theater of the Folkwang Hochschule.

2006 — Susanne Linke / “Fragmente – Skizzen”. Creative process with Susanne Linke, re-exploring her repertory through re-improvisation. Performed, among others, at the Aalto-Theater in Essen.

2007 — Arthur Kuggeleyn / “After Effects”. Research-based creation process exploring minimalistic, repetitive patterns. Premiered at L'Octogone, Théâtre de Pully, Switzerland.

2009 — Ben J. Riepe / “shy wild”. Improvisation-based dance piece created for the Folkwang Tanzstudio context, where Leo Kees were working as choreographer and performer at the time.

Influences

Note: Here is a selection of workshops and classes that had somehow left a lasting impression on my body and contributed to my understanding of movement and performance.

2010 Renate Graziadelli / Labor Gras, Berlin (DE)
2009 David Hernandez / P.A.R.T.S. Summer Residencies (BE)
2007 Jeremy Nelson / Labor Gras, Berlin (DE)
2007 David Hernandez / P.A.R.T.S. Summer Residencies (BE)
2007 Renate Graziadelli / Labor Gras, Berlin (DE)
2007 Daniel Lepkoff /Moving Arts (DE)
2006 Arco Renz / P.A.R.T.S. Summer Residencies, Brussels (BE)
2006 Barbara Kaufmann / Pina Bausch Repertory (DE)
2005 David Zambrano / P.A.R.T.S. Summer Residencies (BE)
2005 Dominique Duszynski / PACT Zollverein, Essen (DE)
2005 Chrysa Parkinson / P.A.R.T.S. Summer Residencies (BE)
2005 Janet Panetta / PACT Zollverein, Essen (DE)
2004 Wim Vandekeybus / Ultima Vez / PACT Zollverein (DE)
2004 Nigel Charnock / PACT Zollverein, Essen (DE)
200307 Juan Kruz Diaz de Garaio Esnaola / FUdK (DE)
2003 Iñaki Azpillaga / PACT Zollverein, Essen (DE)
2002–2003 Frey Faust / Tanzhaus NRW Düsseldorf (DE)
2000 Russell Maliphant / Medellín Int. Festival (CO)
2000 Jordi Cortés Molina / Medellín Int. Festival (CO)
1999 Martin Keogh / Buenos Aires (AR)
1999–2000 Cristina Turdo / Buenos Aires (AR)
1999–2000 Silvana Cardell / Buenos Aires (AR)

Masterclasses

2000 – Eugenio Barba / Odin Teatret – Theatre and Society – National School of Drama, Buenos Aires (Argentina)

2002 – Grotowski Centre – Song of the Goat / Research on Training in Relation to Grotowski’s Work – Wrocław (Poland)

2005 – Robert Wilson – On His Method as Director – Folkwang University of the Arts, Essen (Germany)

2005 – Pina Bausch – Repertory The Rite of Spring, in collaboration with performers from Tanztheater Wuppertal – Folkwang University of the Arts, Essen (Germany)

2008 – Forced Entertainment / Tim Etchells – Working Methods of Forced Entertainment – Intensive Workshop at PACT Zollverein, Essen (Germany)

2009 – Romeo Castellucci – Development of Visual Stage Concepts – Approch to his creative process. PACT Zollverein, Essen (Germany)