ULTRA

‘It is harder to be a man today, and in many ways, that’s a good thing.’
(Christine Emba)

Growing up amidst changing gender dynamics can be confusing while facing evolving expectations of masculinity. Society bombards boys, men, and young women with conflicting messages on what it means to be masculine, leaving them to navigate this maze alone.

Choreographer Reut Shemesh, who herself is a mother to a son, draws inspiration from an encounter with German 'Ultra' football fans to explore these complexities in ULTRA. The performance features adolescents aged 15 to 21 engaging in a ritual that blends joy and aggression, revealing the vulnerability beneath their loud expressions. ULTRA offers a poignant exploration of masculinity, addressing the challenges faced by adolescents growing up in a world of shifting norms.

In this dance production, ten youngsters let their energy flow freely: explosive and vulnerable. On the thin line between festivity and rebellion. ULTRA poses questions on the role of typically masculine behaviour in our changing times, but above all it's a portrait of a group of teens in a world full of expectations and labels.

Choreographer Reut Shemesh draws inspiration from an encounter with German 'Ultra' football fans to explore these complexities in the piece ULTRA. The performance features adolescents aged 15 to 21 engaging in a ritual which blends joy and aggression, revealing the vulnerability beneath their loud expressions. ULTRA is a poignant exploration of masculinity and addresses the challenges and opportunities for youngsters growing up in a world of shifting norms.