Encuentros Contemporary Theater Festival Enters Final Week in Tenerife

The 24th Encuentros Contemporary Theater Festival is entering its final week at the Teatro Victoria in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Supported by local, regional, and national funding, as well as the Network of Alternative Theaters, the festival has become a key space for critical reflection in the Canary Islands’ performing arts scene. Organizers say this year’s program is designed to challenge audiences with pressing social dilemmas.

The final stretch begins this Friday at 7:30 p.m. with Pensé que mi vida iba a ser distinta (I Thought My Life Would Be Different). Written and directed by Joel Hernández and performed by the local group Mómerat Teatro, the play examines generational disillusionment and the challenges of coexistence when an outsider disrupts a shared space, highlighting the frustrated expectations of today’s youth.

The weekend continues with a production from the Madrid-based company Cráter: Manual para follarse a un macho con vagina (Manual for Fucking a Male with a Vagina). Written, directed, and performed by Pablo Alamá, this autobiographical monologue uses satire to explore gender roles and trans identity. Performances are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Following Saturday’s show, the audience is invited to join a post-performance debate moderated by artist and activist Vivien Déniz.

By bringing avant-garde theater to the public, the festival fosters essential conversations about identity and social structures. More than just an artistic showcase, it serves as a vital platform for civic debate, highlighting the importance of trans representation and modern masculinity in today’s cultural landscape.