Essence

Synopsis

Essence is an experiential exploration of self-discovery, inviting audiences to confront the layers of conditioning that obscure our authentic being. The work examines the tension between identities imposed by society, culture, and personal expectation, and the inherent qualities that define who we truly are. The piece fosters a process of unlearning; shedding habitual beliefs, judgments, and roles that no longer serve, to access a more grounded, embodied sense of self.

The performance situates the audience in a liminal space where habitual narratives of “should” and “must” dissolve, creating the possibility for an encounter with the innate capacities and strengths that lie beneath these external impositions. In this way, the work becomes both a mirror and a laboratory for self-reflection. Ultimately, Essence is a meditation on authenticity, resilience, and the quiet power of inhabiting one’s truest self.

This work is a commission supported by Goethe Institut Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Institute in London.