Familie Flöz

Familie Flöz is an international ensemble of theater artists based in Berlin, founded in 1996 by Hajo Schüler and Michael Vogel. Emerging from the Mime, now "Physical Theatre" program at Folkwang University in Essen, the group gained international recognition for their comedic and poetic theater productions, predominantly nonverbal, featuring masks, and receiving numerous awards. Their performances, showcased in 32 countries, have captivated audiences worldwide.

History of the Company

The journey of Familie Flöz began in 1996 with the premiere of "Familie Flöz kommt Über Tage" at the disused Zeche Hannover in Bochum. This production, paying homage to the mining and labor culture of the Ruhr region, marked a significant success. It garnered acclaim at the NRW Theaterfestival "Favoriten" in Dortmund, earning the troupe their name in 2003. The term "Flöz" refers to an earth layer containing stored raw materials.

After touring various countries, the second piece, "Ristorante Immortale," was unveiled in 1998 at the Maschinenhaus Essen, exploring the allegory of provisional life through visual storytelling, sounds, and music. Following a successful Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2001, the group adopted the name "Flöz production," later becoming "Familie Flöz." The productions continued to travel globally, with performances in Europe, Asia, and Australia. Flöz made Berlin their base in 2001.

In 2004, "Teatro Delusio," an homage to theater itself, achieved international acclaim with its premiere at Arena Berlin. This piece, delving into the realms of existence, illusion, and play, featured three actors portraying 30 characters. Following this success, the troupe collaborated with Theaterhaus Stuttgart, which became a consistent partner, venue, and co-producer. The production toured extensively, reaching South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe, earning prestigious awards.

Awards

Familie Flöz has received numerous awards for their groundbreaking contributions to theater, including the Off Critic Prize at the Festival Avignon in 2013, the Publikumspreis at the Euro–scene Leipzig in 2012, and the Schwerter Kleinkunstpreis for "Hotel Paradiso" in 2010, among others.

Productions

Over the years, Familie Flöz has created a diverse repertoire of productions, including "Infinita," a physical mosaic depicting the cycles of life, and "Hotel Paradiso," an enigmatic Alpine crime drama. Their productions such as "Garage D’Or," exploring the hubris of man, and "Himmelerde," have also garnered acclaim.

Filmography

In 2012, the documentary "Hinter der Maske," directed by Martin Uhrmeister and produced by arte / WDR, provided insight into the artistic world of Familie Flöz.

With their innovative and visually captivating performances, Familie Flöz continues to leave an indelible mark on the global theater landscape, captivating audiences with their unique brand of physical theater.