(out)growing pains by Sesa is a performance where poetry and music intertwine to explore the weight of the burdens we carry. It delves into becoming aware of this weight, tracing its origins, and embracing the understanding that healing is not a destination but an ongoing, cyclical journey.

The title carries a dual meaning: outgrowing pains—shedding what no longer serves us, and growing pains—the discomfort that comes with transformation. On stage, this unfolds through an interplay of spoken word, vocals, and music, featuring marimba, vibraphone, mallet station, and electric guitar. With Alex H. Smith (percussion), Nathan Kumba (guitar), and Abigaille Vungu (vocals), the performance blends classical post-minimalism, hip-hop, and modern jazz into an immersive soundscape.

At its core, (out)growing pains is about breath—how it carries us through struggle, how we sometimes hold it without realising, and how, in the simple act of inhaling once more, we reclaim ourselves. (out)growing pains is an individual journey, yet a collective experience, resonating with those who have ever stood at the edge of themselves and dared to breathe through.