Zuga’s new performance focuses on mental health. Like a big and sensitive animal, it lives in our homes, in our rooms, under our blankets, in our heads. What does it want from us? What does it need? What’s wrong with it?
Every day, young people have war, climate change, daily politics, changing schools, their parents’ divorce and a mean older brother on their minds. That’s enough. It’s even more than enough. But no, let’s add the attention economy, algorithms that demand extreme views and bot armies that spread misinformation. Why then, being aware of all this ourselves as adults, do we still ask young people “What’s wrong with you?”.
The performance “What’s wrong with you?” is created in collaboration with an Estonian mental health advocate Peaasi.ee. Before the creation process, Zuga underwent mental health first aid training and visited schools to discuss the topic with young people.
The United Dancers of Zuga is a collective of dancers and choreographers that was conceived in 1999 by the young active dancemakers Tiina Mölder, Kaja Kann and Jarmo Karing. ZUGA is the only company in Estonia that has consistently and regularly been producing dance performances for children. For ZUGA, children and adults are equal partners that share a world and a living space. ZUGA’s performances have won theatre and dance awards, and they have toured in Estonia and abroad (Finland, the USA, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, the Netherlands, Palestine, Sweden, Russia, Romania, Croatia, Poland, England, China) with their performances.
Directors, choreographers and performers: Tiina Mölder, Kärt Tõnisson, Helen Reitsnik, Ajjar Ausma, Päär Pärenson
Dramaturge: Maike Lond
Sound designer: Kalle Tikas
Set designer: Illimar Vihmar
Lighting designer: Siim Reispass
Producer: Ingrid Kääramees and Pille-Triinu Maiste
