"Life in Beta” Premieres at Zagrebački plesni centar as Part of the International dancEUA Project

The dance performance “Life in Beta”, choreographed by Sofija Milić, premiered on February 25, 2026, at the Zagrebački plesni centar in Zagreb.

Created within the framework of the European project dancEUA - Contemporary Resilience: Reinventing Dance in Ukraine, the production stands as a strong example of cross-border artistic collaboration and contemporary dance resilience.

Sofija Milić on the International Premiere of “Life in Beta”

Sofija Milić was selected as a choreographer through the ChoreoSync activities in Hungary, as one of ten young choreographers who successfully completed the program designed for emerging dance makers. Her selection marked the beginning of an international creative process that culminated in the premiere of “Life in Beta.”

"This is not my first full-length production, but it is the first one to premiere in Croatia. Working on this project with such exceptionally talented young dancers has been a true privilege. I did not go easy on them - I demanded both physical endurance and strong dramaturgical awareness. They were expected to be fully present, technically precise, and intellectually engaged throughout the process. I am proud to say that they rose to every challenge, exceeding my expectations - and that dedication is clearly visible in the performance itself," said Sofija Milić.

"Life in Beta" Explores Identity

The creation period took place throughout January and February 2026 at Zagrebački plesni centar and TALA PLE(j)S in Zagreb. The artistic process was mentored by acclaimed Croatian dance artist Maša Kolar, whose guidance shaped the conceptual and choreographic development of the work.

"Maša Kolar had a profound influence on this production, and I can only be grateful for the opportunity to work with her," said Milić.

Performed by ten dancers from Croatia, Ukraine, Romania, Hungary, and Sweden - Mina Ugrin, Iva Matošević, Freya Farnlof, Julia Ekvold, Helen Tamasko, Janka Komuves, Vlad Furtuna, Anastasia Preotu, Mariia Kalashnikova, and Yuliia Brazhnik — the piece unfolds as a dynamic ensemble exploration of identity within systems of optimization and control.

“Life in Beta” interrogates late capitalism’s obsession with constant improvement and growth, asking: What disappears when perfection becomes attainable? Can abundance exist without the erosion of identity?

Interactive Performance

The performance immerses the audience in a pulsating, game-like environment inhabited by ten avatars - ten bodies functioning as nodes within a system governed by Beth, a central consciousness regulating instin

ct and behavior for the supposed benefit of the collective. The system promises unity and the end of suffering, yet gradually erases individuality. Impulses no longer belong to the individual; choice becomes simulation, and abundance produces hyperreality rather than fulfillment. Although the structure implies competition - there is always one winner - the very concept of victory dissolves in a world of endless self-optimization.

The Tour Continues Across Europe

The costume design was created by Karlo Blažina, the original music was composed by Ognjen Šušić, the visual design was developed by Tihomir Filipec, and photography and video were produced by Nina Đurđević.

The three-year project dancEUA is co-funded by the European Union through the Creative Europe programme. It is implemented by Studio za suvremeni ples (Croatia), Central Europe Dance Theatre (Hungary), M Studio (Romania), Vitlycke – Centre for Performing Arts (Sweden), and Ukrainian Contemporary Dance Platform (Ukraine). Through residencies, educational programs, productions, and touring activities, the initiative fosters knowledge exchange, mobility, and sustainable partnerships between European and Ukrainian dance professionals.

Following its successful premiere on February 25, 2026, “Life in Beta” will continue its journey with touring performances in Romania, Sweden, Hungary, and Ukraine throughout 2026, further strengthening international artistic dialogue and collaboration.