Join us for a unique opportunity!

Join us for a unique opportunity!

Open Call for Participants!

Workshop Series & Immersive Classes with Aly Khamees

Presented by Below the Skin Zürich

Discover the Power of Dance

Join choreographer Aly Khamees and Below the Skin for a series of workshops that celebrate dance as a collaborative, creative, and transformative practice. These sessions offer two distinct formats:

OPEN FORMAT MONTHLY CLASSES

Accessible – Inclusive – Exploratory

A welcoming space to experiment, move, and connect — no formal dance training required.

Who it's for

  • Open to everyone aged 17+

  • No prior experience needed — just curiosity and openness

  • Ideal for newcomers, past participants, and confident movers alike

  • People interested in dance, storytelling, or physical expression

What to Expect

  • Each session stands on its own — join one or many

  • Explore movement, improvisation, and storytelling

  • Learn from Aly’s unique "Bullet and Knife" vocabulary

  • Be part of shaping ideas for upcoming productions

Contribution:

Pay What You Can (donate according to your means)

Location: Tanzhaus Zürich

Group Size: 10–30 participants

Upcoming Dates – 2–5pm

Sign up here for 2025

2026

Sign up here for 2026

Participants

Groups will vary between 10-30 people

IMMERSIVE CLASS (ADVANCED)

Intensive – Committed – Co-Creative

An in-depth deep dive for experienced and committed participants looking to evolve their movement language, learn from Aly’s rich repertoire, and contribute to choreographic processes.

Who it's for

  • Participants with previous experience in movement, dance, or physical theater

  • People who have attended our workshops before OR have a confident physical presence

  • Artists, performers, and creators eager to develop and co-create

  • Requested to commit to the full duration of the Immersive Class

What to Expect

  • Intensive daily sessions (3–6 hours per day)

  • Deeper engagement with Aly's movement repertoire and choreographic methods

  • Collaborative development of material for future productions

  • Opportunities to explore storytelling, physicality, and performance-level work

Fee: CHF 120–300 (Sliding Scale)

Sliding‑Scale Overview

  • Premium – CHF 320 

    Ideal for participants who wish to fully support the workshop’s costs and help subsidize lower‑priced spots.

  • Standard – CHF 260

    Covers the average expense per attendee and provides the core experience for most dancers.

  • Budget – CHF 120

    Reserved for those on a tighter budget

    All contributions go straight toward the venue, the instructors’ time, and the production elements to offer this workshop. By choosing the fee that matches your means, you help create a balanced community where every dancer can thrive.

    Payment information can be found in the sign-up form. If the suggested fee is still too much for you to pay at the moment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at belowtheskin@proton.me.

Upcoming Immersive Classes

Summer Intensive @ Tanzhaus Zürich

24–27 July 2025
11:00–16:00 (4 Days)

Fall Intensive @ BRÜCKI Zürich

17–19 October 2025

  • Friday 17: 17:00–20:00

  • Saturday 18 & Sunday 19: 11:00–17:00

Apply here for the Immersive Class →

Sign-up with us

No professional training needed - just bring curiosity and an open mind!
Reserve your spot now for this unique dance experience. We look forward to seeing you!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP for 2025 workshops

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP for 2026 workshops

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP for the Immersive Class

Co-Produced by Tanzhaus Zurich
Supported by Stadt Zurich Kultur

REGISTER HERE

REGISTER HERE

Our Mission

Below the Skin, is a vibrant performance art company founded in 2019 by Aly Khamees and Jelena Mair. Our passion lies in transcultural exploration, utilizing the universal language of dance to delve into the socio-political phenomena shaping our world. Through captivating performances,
we breathe life into the stories of individuals, celebrating our shared humanity
and addressing the diverse challenges faced in the 21st century.

Aly and Jelena's artistic vision extends beyond mere entertainment; they utilize Below the Skin to prompt dialogue and inquiry, inviting audiences to engage with the pressing social issues portrayed in our work. Our performances serve as a medium for reflection, fostering a deeper understanding of the environments we inhabit, and the collective challenges encountered as a human race.

By pushing artistic boundaries and nurturing a culture of inclusion and collaboration, we aspire to create performances that resonate beyond the stage, bridging gaps between art and society. Through diverse narratives and movement techniques, our goal is to transcend language barriers, challenge preconceptions, and inspire genuine connections within the community.

Central to our creative philosophy is the belief that art is a dynamic exchange between artists, audiences, and the spaces that host them. As of 2024 we have been chosen to be a Tanzhaus accomplice. We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity*. It's an honor to be part of such a collaborative and supportive model in the world of contemporary choreography. Becoming a Tanzhaus accomplice allows us to refine our choreographic techniques through open-format workshops, opening doors to a broader public for contemporary dance. Our aim is to create a meeting ground for exploration, dialogue, and growth for everyone involved.

Inclusivity is a core facet of our artistic practice. We are committed to crafting performances that resonate with a diverse audience, involving individuals from different backgrounds, professional and non-professional alike. This approach fosters authenticity, ignites meaningful connections and dialogues, and ensures fair compensation for those contributing to the research of new creations.

Join us as we transcend conceptual boundaries, transforming abstract ideas into tangible dance pieces that resonate with the richness of our shared human experience. At Below the Skin, we invite you to be part of a community that values artistic expression, social engagement, and the power of dance to evoke change.

We will publish our open-format workshops here as soon as dates are confirmed. We also invite you to get in touch with us directly, if you are intrigued to work, research and cocreate with us. Contact us at belowtheskin(at)proton.me.

Tanzhaus Zürich's "accomplices model" fosters collaboration with choreographers by establishing enduring relationships and involving artists in shaping the institution's programs, including productions, residencies, research, workshops, and discussions. This model emphasizes reciprocity and close engagement between artists and the Tanzhaus Dramaturgy Pool to support both emerging talents and existing partnerships in contemporary choreography within the region.

Open Call for Participants 2024!

Join us for the production research of "Empty City" and discover the power of movement with choreographer Aly Khamees!

We welcome you to a creative research journey with artistic director and choreographer Aly Khamees. We're inviting passionate movers, from all walks of life, experienced and non-experienced, to join Aly Khamees for an exploration of dance and collaborative choreography. As a Tanzhaus Zurich Accomplice, "Below the Skin" is dedicated to offering participation opportunities to a broad audience, exploring the power of dance, providing insights into the collaborative choreographic processes that inform our work, and enabling individuals to become active co-creators of our ever-evolving movement language.

There are two workshop formats that you can participate. Participation is free of charge. Join us for this opportunity by clicking the sign-up link below, we can't wait to play, learn, and create together!

WORKSHOP 1: SATURDAY CLASS (can be taking individually)

takes place on 4 sequential Saturdays from April 27th till May 18th 2024. You don’t have to sign up for all 4 workshops, you can join them individually. The class is open to max. 13 participants, make sure to reserve your spot!

WORKSHOP 2: 1 WEEK (daily 10-17) 15.-19. July 2024 

1-week creative research journey with Choreographer Aly Khamees from 15.-19. of July 2024. We're inviting 13 passionate movers, from all walks of life, experienced and non-experienced, to join Aly Khamees for an exploration of dance and collaborative choreography. Make sure to reserve your spot!

Our vision and motivation: By delving into the core elements of our artistic concept, participants will experience contemporary dance as both creators and appreciators. Through movement exploration, integrative storytelling, and collaborative creation, we aim to harness the transformative potential of contemporary dance to foster empathy, break down barriers, and challenge prejudices. The workshop serves as a microcosm of Below the Skin’s broader vision, extending the impact of their artistic concept beyond the stage and into the lives of participants.

Is this for you? We invite you to bring your unique energy and perspective to our collaborative movement research process. You don’t need to have any prior dance skills or experience to join. We welcome anyone who:

  • Enjoys moving and is curious to experiment

  • Is keen to collaborate and explore creative ideas with others

  • Is up for a physical challenge with many hours of movement research

  • Has an open mind and heart towards people from all walks of life

Why Join?

  • Embark on a captivating journey into the world of dance

  • Learn about participatory choreographic processes from the rich repertoire of Aly Khamees

  • Discover the transformative power of movement as we create a safe space for meaningful encounters, where movement becomes a universal tool for connection and understanding.

  • If you have a passion for dance and a curiosity about the creative process, this is the perfect opportunity for you to explore, learn, and express yourself.

  • Last but not least, Aly will share qualities of his movement vocabulary Bullet & Knife 

  • We will host a small informal sharing and gathering (19.07.2024 at 18.00) to share your experience with friends and family

WORKSHOP 1 DETAILS:

Where: Tanzhaus Zurich, Wasserwerkstrasse 127a, 8037 Zurich, Studio 3
When: 27.4./4.5./11.5./18.5.2024, 11-16 (+ optional gathering/sharing Friday, July 19th 12-19)
Deadline: apply latest 3 days before the respective workshop, you can apply for one or all workshops
Online Application: please fill out this from online
Participation: Free of charge

WORKSHOP 2 DETAILS:

Where: Tanzhaus Zurich, Wasserwerkstrasse 127a, 8037 Zurich, Studio 3
When: 15th – 19th of July, 10-17h
Online Application: please fill out this from online
Deadline: July 5th 2024
Participation: free of charge

How to Participate: Please let us know your contact information by filling out the links listed above under each workshop. We will get back to you via email shortly. All backgrounds and levels of dance experience are welcome!

If you have questions or need assistance with the form, get in touch with us belowtheskin@proton.me

Join us on this incredible journey of movement exploration!

Yours truly,

Below the Skin