Meet Sascha Paar

We recently connected with Sascha Paar and have shared our conversation below.

Sascha, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I didn’t always understand my purpose, but I always felt it. Even as a child, I had this strong inner sense that I was born for something I would have to work hard for — something that wouldn’t simply fall into my hands. It wasn’t a clear vision; it was more like an inner pull that I just needed to follow.

Finding my purpose wasn’t about a single moment of clarity. It was about listening — to myself, to my instincts, to the subtle signals that showed me where to go next. As a young person, you’re influenced by so many external expectations that you don’t always know what is truly yours and what comes from the outside. But whenever I stripped away the noise, that feeling remained.

Over time, I learned to trust it. To act according to it. And eventually, all the small decisions, the resilience, the work, and the risks formed a path that made sense — a path where my purpose didn’t need to be forced, only followed.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m an Austrian-born choreographer, performer and dance educator currently based in Munich, working at the intersection of contemporary dance, identity research and intergenerational collaboration. My artistic work is rooted in questions of belonging, memory and the body as an archive — especially for those of us whose identities don’t always fit neatly into societal boxes.

After spending over a decade performing in state theatres and the independent scene, I’m now deeply focused on developing my own choreographic voice. What excites me most is creating spaces where personal stories become physical landscapes — where individual and collective histories can be felt, not just understood intellectually. My work tends to be quiet, detailed and emotionally charged. I’m drawn to the bodies and biographies that are often overlooked, and I try to make room for them on stage.

One of my current focuses is HEIMATKÖRPER, an intergenerational duet created with my 83-year-old mentor, Karl Reinisch. It examines how identity shifts over a lifetime — how politics, migration, queerness and cultural memory shape the ways we inhabit our bodies. The premiere will take place in June 2026 in Munich (HochX Thearte and Live Art). What makes this project truly special is the combination of lived history and present-day vulnerability: Karl’s long artistic journey alongside my own search for home between Austria and Germany.

Beyond my staged work, I also run TANZZEIT, a growing intergenerational dance program in Munich that brings older adults, professional dancers and non-dancers together. The expansion TANZZEIT 2.0 launches in 2026 with a larger teaching team and a more diverse range of movement practices. This pedagogical work is deeply connected to my artistic one — both revolve around accessibility, care, and the idea that every body carries meaning and deserves visibility.

I’m also building my artistic brand in a wider sense: developing a new website, strengthening my collaborations across Germany and Austria, and expanding my practice internationally through residencies and partnerships.

If there’s one thing I’d love readers to know, it’s that my work always begins with people. With relationships. With bodies that carry stories. I’m interested in dance as a place of reflection, memory, and transformation — where the personal becomes political and the intimate becomes shared.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I believe the most important qualities in my life are kindness and resilience. Life tests you constantly, but I’ve learned that it’s not about defining yourself through your lowest points — it’s about how you rise from them and who you become on the other side: stronger, clearer, and a little wiser.

Knowledge has helped me, but it wasn’t what carried me forward. What truly shaped my path was the ability to listen — to really listen — and the desire to understand how the people and environments around me function. Without manipulating or stepping over anyone, staying focused on my own path has been the most grounding practice.

One of the most valuable things I learned from my mother is this: keep going. Keep working for the life you want, even when it feels far away. She taught me that consistency and dedication — even in small steps — shape your future more than talent or luck ever could.

If I had one piece of advice, it would be to question yourself honestly and continuously.
Am I living in a way I can be proud of?
Am I treating people the way I want to be treated?
Am I surrounded by people whose values align with mine?

And maybe most importantly: trust your instincts, and be willing to live with the consequences. That’s where real growth happens.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been learning to trust my own abilities. I came from a place where I didn’t fully trust myself — my talent, my value, or what I bring to the people around me. That has shifted. I’ve become much clearer about what I can do, what I can’t do yet, and what I need to keep working on.

I’m also trying to be kinder to myself. When something doesn’t work or when I’m not at my best, I don’t punish myself the way I used to. For a long time, I held myself to extremely high standards, and if I didn’t meet them, I was deeply disappointed. Now, I’m learning to approach myself with more generosity and patience. It’s not perfect, but it’s getting better.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.saschapaar.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sascha0812
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paar.sascha
• Other: https://vimeo.com/saschapaar

Image Credits

Markus Wachter

Bendegúz D. Zana