A new powerful street dance-theatre show ‘M_N,’ by Carmen Yih is ready to take centre stage in St Albans.
Collaborating with two emerging local Brimbank street dance artists, Giuliano ’Gino’ Hammal and Kihmo Quintela, ‘M_N’ delves into the complexities of male identity under the weight of societal expectations.
Addressing recent concerns about the impact of hypermasculine rhetoric on youth mental health, ‘M_N’ uses unfiltered freestyle street dance and an original soundtrack to explore the stigmas surrounding emotional and physical expression among young men.
The show emphasises the importance of fostering healthy and diverse expressions of masculinity through guidance and support.
Giuliano ’Gino’ Hammal and Kihmo Quintela, lead artists in ‘M_N,’ share a deep connection forged through childhood friendship and a passion for street dance.
Gino believes dance has shaped him in more aspects that he can think of.
“Dance has helped me be more true and honest to myself and in turn this has come through into all my practices. I no longer focus on how I’m perceived, rather, I focus on how I feel. This can’t be truer to how I dance. I’m grateful for dance to allow me to be like this, as well as be able to put energy into things I love and get amazing opportunities,” he said.
To make for best viewing, Khimo recommends the audiences to draw their own interpretations from the show.
“It’s just as much about you as it is about us. So I hope audiences can find something within the work that resonates with them and possibly relate it to their perceptions of masculinity and femininity. Maybe it’ll cause them to reflect on how they contribute, whether positively or negatively, towards the experiences of those in their communities and what impact they may have on those that struggle between masculine and feminine expressions of self,” he said.
’M_N’ is scheduled at the Bowery Theatre and St Albans Community Centre on Friday, February 16, from 2-3pm, and again on Saturday, February 17 from 5.30-6.30pm.
Details: creativebrimbank.com.au/m-n
