In TURN ON, Swiss-Moroccan dancer and choreographer Soraya Leïla Emery embraces her dual culture as a prism through which to examine the experience of female pleasure. She doesn’t undertake this exploration alone: two other artists accompany her, nourished like her by an upbringing between two identities. Drawing on different physical techniques, taken from dance as well as martial arts, and also on Orientalist representations, they explore the notions of gaze and consent. In a shifting space, constantly redrawn by light and sound, where they move alone and together, each asserts her place with strength and delicacy. They free themselves. And us with them.
Soraya Leila Emery is a Swiss-Moroccan choreographer and performer based in Zürich. She holds degrees from CFPArts Geneva, SEAD Salzburg, and a Master’s in choreography from ZHdK Zürich (2024). Her work explores female pleasure through a feminist lens, examining bodily autonomy, cultural identity, and Arab female representation. She was an associate artist at TanzPlan Ost (2023/2024) and is currently associate artist at Tanzhaus Zürich (2025/2026).
Format: indoors, outdoors possible and modulable. Workshop: Pleasure Practices (see Tanzhaus Zürich website). Workshop: On & On – Consent and Empowerment for young adults.
Concept, Artistic Direction, Choreography: Soraya Leila Emery
Co-Choreography, Performance: Soraya Leila Emery, Donya Speaks / Hakima Sinekli, Lena Sophia Bagutti Khennouf
Sound design: Sinan Moses
Costume & stage design: Moni Wespi
Dramaturgy: Lyn Bentschik
Light design: Patrik Rimann
Mentorship: Ulduz Ahmadzadeh
Videography: Michelle Ettlin
Dramaturgical support TanzPlan Ost: Mona De Weerdt, Simone Truong
Production management TanzPlan Ost: Romeo Oliveras, Mona De Weerdt, Miriam Haltiner
Production: hot stuff
Coproduction: TanzPlan Ost
Production: Romeo Oliveras
Distribution: Simon Fleury
Pictures: Gregory Batardon
