The TKO Theatre Köln / Theater Kokotovic-Osman, under the artistic direction of Nada Kokotovic and Nedjo Osman, is experimenting with familiar (stage) plays and themes from real life.
Ways of living and problems of different nationalities and language communities in Europe – with a special focus on Germany – are visualized and staged in various forms of multicultural theatre. Accordingly, this theatre works multilingually and across genres, with a special focus on Roma.
Existential questions that are of concern to everyone and that arise unexpectedly, especially in crisis situations, are addressed in a stage language specifically developed by Nada Kokotovic and Nedjo Osman. Theatrical methods – from acting and dance to performance – are connected with each other and associatively linked with the polyphony of languages, via digital media as well as within the realm of the visual arts.
The TKO Theatre deals with the current problems and issues of our society: globalization, terrorism, worldwide armed conflicts, wars, turbo-capitalism, xenophobia, virtual reality, Europe and hedonism. By reacting in this way to social topics, theatre can therefore be regarded as a mirror of the hopes and conflicts associated with social change. The aim of a tolerant society beyond geographical borders is reflected in different ways, such as in the selection of plays mainly by contemporary authors or in the cross-genre approach of the respective productions.
The TKO Theatre, based in Cologne, has made guest appearances in Germany, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. In 2008 it founded the first European Roma Theatre.
The concept of the theatre envisages continuous cooperation with trained Roma actors from various European countries. The productions developed are presented in different languages and with different casts, while actors function as ‘cultural ambassadors’ and create a public platform for Sinti and Roma in the cooperating countries.
European Sinti and Roma used to be subject to different national policies and represented a more or less marginalized population group. In a Europe that is growing together they can now join forces to collaborate. The European Roma Theatre aims to contribute actively to this wider development.
The TKO Theatre, the European Roma Theatre and the Tko-Rromaart Academy e. V. represent three parts of the same concept – which is to preserve and present Sinti and Roma art and culture.
The Tko-Rromaart Academy e. V. is a registered association that promotes integration and inclusion. It addresses young people as well as adults, Roma and non-Roma, and strives for cooperation with theatre professionals and authors from all areas of art and culture.
The association aims to support people in discovering their creative potential, to be open to the new and to the unknown in order to be empowered. Theatre is well-suited to awaken young people’s imagination and to encourage them at the appropriate time.
The TKO Theatre brings together professional Roma artists in the fields of theatre, dance, music, language and literature with the aim of nurturing their own traditions and rituals, preserving history and initiating cooperation between Roma and non-Roma artists.