About

With a title coming from the German word meaning “dope”, “poison”, and “medicine”, Das Rauschgift playfully and perilously explores apathy, addiction, and belonging. 

The never-ending battle of trying to have a good time is warped within a prism of problems as Travis, Cosimo, and Arzu attempt to convince their friend Nina to hit the town and indulge (even though she’s content to raw-dog life). Along the way, the gang approaches an intersection of conflicting desires: Is it truly possible to release your inhibitions and not lose control? To follow the herd and still feel like an individual? Can one even enjoy an ice cream sundae without extra hot fudge?

A lava lamp of 1960s/70s variety shows, 2000s pop-culture, and baroque sensibilities, Das Rauschgift takes audiences on a joyride through the peaks and valleys of trying to belong. The production takes influence from queer nightlife, ballet, post-modern dance, and collage to create a group of characters who rise, fall, stretch, and coalesce in mundane and fantastical ways.

Interview with Matthew Antoci in the Brooklyn Rail.

Team

Das Rauschgift was created and performed by Travis Amiel, Calpurnia, Nina Lucia Rodriguez, and Arzu Salman. The production team included Connor Sale (lighting design), Joe Burt (set design), Emily Wong (stage management), Reuven Glezer (illusion design) and was co-produced by Billy McEntee.

Development

An excerpt from the show was a part of New Dance Alliance’s Performance Mix Festival at the Abrons Arts Center on June 6th, 2025.

Life World hosted an in-process showing and karaoke fundraiser on August 28th, 2025

The premiere of Das Rauschgift was December 4 – 21st, 2025 at Box of Moonlight in Brooklyn, NY.

Support

Das Rauschgift was sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council and the NYSCA-A.R.T./New York Creative Opportunity Fund (A Statewide Theatre Regrant Program).