POV: You’re 12 and s*****d | silent disco performance

What?

What goes on in the mind of a 12-year-old who struggles every day to find his place in a world full of pressure, judgment, and peer violence? The play “POV: You’re 12 and s*****d” tells the story of Arek—a boy who is constantly haunted by a Persistent Thought in His Head. It’s this thought that surfaces during the toughest moments, fuels his fears, and reminds him of everything that hurts.

Arek isn’t exactly the life of the party. He feels most at ease in the world of music and sounds created by a simple beat machine. It is there that he finds a space where he can take refuge from the reality of school. The performance uses the “silent disco” format, inviting the audience to immerse themselves in the protagonist’s world through headphones and sound. This allows viewers to experience the emotions felt by someone struggling with exclusion, loneliness, and violence.

This is a moving story about growing up, the need for acceptance, and the search for one’s own voice in a world that isn’t always willing to listen.

Who?

The play is based on a text by Mariusz Gołosz, a playwright and dramaturg who explores social issues and the experiences of young people.

Agata Biziuk—the play’s director and creator of theatrical productions for children, teenagers, and adults—is known for her sensitive exploration of themes related to emotions, relationships, and contemporary social challenges.

Cast:
Kacper Kujawa
Wojciech Sandach
Ewa Sobczak

Narrator’s voice: Michał Lewandowski

Creators:

text and dramaturgy: Mariusz Gołosz
director: Agata Biziuk
costumes and set design: Łukasz Mleczak
music: Andrzej “Webber” Mikosz
choreography: Bartosz Dopytalski
assistant director: Wojciech Sandach

Production: Contemporary Theater in Szczecin

For Whom?

The play is primarily aimed at school-age youth, but it can also be a meaningful experience for teachers, educators, parents, and anyone who works with young people. It is intended for those who want to better understand the emotions associated with growing up and to examine the dynamics of peer violence, exclusion, and loneliness from a young person’s perspective.

Why is it worth it?

The Łódź of Many Cultures Festival draws not only on the diversity of cultures, languages, and traditions, but also on the multitude of experiences that shape contemporary society. One of these is the experience of growing up—often filled with uncertainty, pressure, and the need to find one’s place within a group. The play “POV: You’re 12 and S*****d” gives a voice to young people, showing the world as seen from their perspective and encouraging conversation about mental health, peer violence, and the need for mutual mindfulness. By using sound as its primary narrative tool, the performance allows the audience to enter the protagonist’s emotional world and better understand experiences that often remain invisible to those around them.

Availability

The performance uses the silent disco technique, so the experience of the event relies largely on the sound experienced through headphones.

The play addresses the issues of peer violence and the psychological challenges of adolescence, which may be emotionally taxing for some audience members.