Naked Loneliness is a dance-theatre work born under extraordinary circumstances in Tehran—created, rehearsed, and ultimately performed in defiance of the legal ban on dance. Conceived and choreographed by Ulduz Ahmadzadeh, the piece was brought to life by a collective of Iranian dancers and actors.

In the midst of rehearsals at Tehran University Theatre, Ahmadzadeh and her ensemble were expelled from the university, accused of improperly wearing their headscarves. Undeterred, they transformed their living room into a secret rehearsal space, working underground for an entire year to give shape to their vision.

Inspired by the words and spirit of contemporary Iranian poet, writer, and resistance figure Ahmad Shamlou, Naked Loneliness confronts the raw realities of violence, repression, and grief, while also embodying perseverance, solidarity, and the quiet power of resistance.