Premiere of the Dance Performance MICA /ˈmʌɪkə/

On December 22, Zagreb Youth Theatre (ZKM) hosted the premiere of MICA /ˈmʌɪkə/, a new contemporary dance performance produced by Studio za suvremeni ples, in collaboration with Belgian-Dutch choreographer Astrid Boons.

Photo by: Nina Đurđević

The title MICA /ˈmʌɪkə/ refers to a metamorphic mineral formed under intense pressure and heat, characterized by its layered structure and ability to transform without losing its inner coherence. This material becomes a central metaphor for the performance, which explores how individuals and communities are shaped through pressure, closeness, vulnerability, and change.

Through a physically precise and emotionally charged choreographic language, MICA investigates the tension between togetherness and isolation, resilience and fragility. The performers’ bodies function as living archives - accumulating experiences, memories, and transformations, much like the layered structure of the mineral itself.

Photo by: Nina Đurđević

Astrid Boons is known for her deep interest in the emotional and relational dimensions of the body. In MICA, movement emerges from attentive listening - between bodies, within the group, and in relation to space. The choreography unfolds as a collective process, where dancers negotiate presence, support, resistance, and adaptability, reflecting broader questions of coexistence in times of social and ecological instability.

The decision to premiere the work at ZKM strengthens the dialogue between contemporary dance and theatrical space, creating a setting that supports interdisciplinary exchange and a focused encounter with the audience.

Photo by: Nina Đurđević

The performance is interpreted by dancers of Studio za suvremeni ples:

Marta Krešić, Filipa Bavčević, Nastasja Štefanić Kralj, Viktoria Bubalo, Ema Crnić, and Dora Pocedić.

Assistant choreographer: Karolina Szymura

Set and costume design: Zdravka Ivandija Kirigin (assistant: Ana Roko)

Music: Miguelángel Clerc Parada

Lighting design: Tomislav Maglečić

Visual identity: Tihomir Filipec

MICA /ˈmʌɪkə/ is produced by Studio za suvremeni ples in cooperation with Zagreb Youth Theatre (ZKM), with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, the City of Zagreb, and the Kultura Nova Foundation.

The production was led by IM Industries for Studio za suvremeni ples, with Ivan Mrdjen as producer and Jelena Ružić as assistant producer.