Male vulnerability demands courage. BEING A MAN combines theatre, dance and workshops in schools. Already with support from RTCP and a guaranteed tour in 5 venues, we need €1000 in funding to ensure the project's feasibility.
BEING A MAN: The courage of vulnerability (Theatre and Workshops)
From a young age, boys learn to put on armor: they are taught to hide their vulnerability, to swallow their pain, and to channel all their frustrations through anger. This social mask, inherited from patriarchal norms, isolates us and limits our humanity.
The SER HOMEM project was born from the urgent need to dismantle this stronghold. Thus, we are pursuing three continuous lines of action:
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The Show: An autobiographical solo performance about the impact and suffering of patriarchal male upbringing, exploring the lasting effects that persist into adulthood.
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The Immersive Exhibition: Masculinity(ies) , where the public confronts the internal dilemma of "being who you are" versus "who society expects you to be".
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Workshops and Debates in Schools: Practical sessions for middle and high school students based on the EQUIX Manual, where we dismantle the "Masculinity Box" and present bridges to an empathetic, humane, and non-violent masculinity.
We don't want to condemn the man, but rather to liberate him from the expected caricature. We want to create space for listening, contradiction, and emotional regeneration.
Why Crowdfunding? Our Funding Reality
" BEING A MAN " is not a project "on paper." It is a creation in progress, supported by the national cultural ecosystem, with the co-production of A Moagem (Fundão City Council) and the Covilhã Municipal Theatre , in addition to artistic residencies with O Espaço do Tempo , Ajidanha , Fábrica da Criatividade , and Teatro Clube de Alpedrinha .
However, as is the case with independent creation in Portugal, we face a real financial barrier:
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The Demanding Restructuring: The project was conceived on a scale of €25,000 , but due to a shortage of direct funding, we reduced it to the feasible minimum of €14,000 .
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The Liquidity Problem: We will only receive payments from the co-producing institutions after the performances of the show (starting at the end of January 2027).
To pay for the exhibition materials, produce the educational kit for the classes, build the stage props, and cover basic logistics during the rehearsal and residency phases, we need cash before the premiere .
Help us bring this conversation to the stage and to schools. Join us.
