Founded in 2009, Performact was created in response to a clear gap in the cultural landscape of Torres Vedras, where opportunities for training, research, and creation in contemporary dance were largely absent. The initiative emerged from local artists, led by professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer Marta Lobato and her brother Gonçalo Ferreira, together with artists from other disciplines including writing, visual arts, and performance. Their shared vision was to integrate teaching, artistic creation, and research within a single platform, offering both continuous training pathways and project-based opportunities for emerging and professional artists.
Performact is managed by ILÚ – Associação de Dança, Teatro de Intervenção Urbana, which acts as the umbrella organisation responsible for administration, finances, and facilities. Artistic and pedagogical direction is coordinated by a dedicated team of choreographers and educators, in partnership with the Escola Superior de Dança for programme certification. This governance model combines institutional accountability with strong artistic leadership, ensuring professional standards and artistic autonomy.
Both ILÚ and Performact promote freedom of association, cultural expression, and inclusive participation. Through performances, workshops, and projects such as Eminente (2023), they engage local communities and marginalised groups, activate public spaces, and foster cultural dialogue through contemporary dance and theatre.
