Tribute to Wolfgang Stange, 1947 - 2024

My sister has been a student of Wolfgang's at Amici for over 20 years. I have seen how life as an autistic person is one where you are often told what to do, how to act, how to conform and fit into society. It is a life which I imagine can feel confined and at times discouraging to truly express oneself. Wolfgang's classes embodied freedom. A magic portal he created where my sister and others could proudly be themselves, empowered and pushed to explore their creative abilities. I remember getting a glimpse of this magic when I'd peak through the window of the class as a child where I'd do my homework outside, waiting for my sister to finish. Of course Wolfgang always came out to check on me. We can all only hope to have such a profound impact on the world that our loss is felt so deeply by so many. I feel extremely lucky to have known him.

Wolfgang Stange: an appreciation    I first knew Wolfgang in the early 70s when he was a student at the London School of Contemporary Dance and I was a teacher there.  Wolfgang’s artistic and choreographic gifts were soon evident in a striking choreography based on the work of the German sculptor, Kathe Kollwitz. At that time, I created a piece for all the students of Wolfgang’s year and I still vividly remember the fierce concentration with which he immersed himself in the tasks of performance.     Later, I heard that he was now doing some very special work  with groups of people with and without learning disabilities. At the time,  I had hardly ever worked in a truly inclusive context and was curious, but quite nervous, so I approached Wolfgang for his help. ‘Come to Normanton’ he said. Normanton Hospital was an old-style mental hospital, and Wolfgang taught there regularly. Watching him and joining in with sessions was revelatory: no compromise - expect the most of everybody, see everyone and their unique abilities as assets and, though he may not have put it that way, be completely generous with love.    Wolfgang was someone I feel privileged to have known -  he has left a profound mark on the practice of dance in this country and further afield, but also on the way we relate to people different to ourselves – for Wolfgang there was truly no ‘other’ and all our lives are richer for it.       

Dearest Wolfgang, your life and art mattered. You left the world better than you found it - the greatest gift of all. Go gently now but keep dancing. Long live Amici. From your Lyric family who love you, Jessica Hepburn x

Wolfgang-san visited Niiza for Dance Dynamics workshops almost every year since 2001. He always treated everyone in the space with love and like family. We shall keep dancing treasuring the time spent with him and all that we have received from him. We are truly grateful to have met Wolfgang. Thank you Wolf!

Wolfgang is one of the most inspirational and charismatic people I have known, caring, passionate, imaginative with love of people and joy for life, understanding and empathetic, a truly wonderful person. In October 1976 I was turned away from a local dance class as I couldn’t see what was going on. I heard that Guina Levete and Wolfgang were holding four movement and mime workshops. Their attitude was so different, making me welcome and adapting sessions so that I could join in. Ann Saunders and I so much enjoyed the experience that we asked Wolfgang to run some more classes. He hired a community hall in Baronscourt Road before moving to St Andrews church Hall. This was the seedbed for amici. Little did we know that 15 years later I would be representing a beautiful dance company, performing on a stage in Tokyo a piece which I had co-choreographed with Wolfgang based on specially composed Japanese music. When you can’t see other dancers you have to be shown what to do or have permission to express what’s within. How can I thank you enough, Wolfgang, for your friendship and giving me the opportunity and support to develop my gifts of self-expression through dance into what has become A life passion.

Wolfgang has had a profound impact on my life in so many ways. If not for Wolf I would not have started to dance again after a four-year break. I would not have met my life partner of forty-two years, or have had two beautiful daughters, one grandson and twins who are due to be born in the next few weeks. I first met Wolf at the Soho theatre after a performance I was in with Graeae theatre company. He came to see me after the show and inspired me to dance again after I had been told that I could not dance any more because my sight was failing. Thanks to Wolf my passion for dance was unleashed, my first way of communicating was possible once more. I then went on to perform with Amici at the Place, Young Vic and was lucky enough to be part of his dream to take Ruckblick to Berlin. Despite moving to north Wales my friendship with Wolf has lasted all the way till his death. Thank you Wolf, you have given me so much. You will always have a special place in my heart and that of my family.