Performance Art

In this section, you’ll find content about work that falls into the category of performance art, which often includes interdisciplinary work, especially work that combines visual art and performance, and is based around the actions of the artist. A great place to start is the series Conversations Across Generations, featuring dialogues between UK-based performance artists discussing their work, lives, and inspiration.

The Latest

Making Space for Queer Futurity in Texas

Podcast

Making Space for Queer Futurity in Texas

by Nicolas Shannon Savard, p1nkstar global, Melissa Lin Sturges

16 August 2023

The Fourth Black Spatial Relics Convening

Video

The Fourth Black Spatial Relics Convening

A Constellation of Artist Talks, Ceremonies, a Digital Performance Showcase, and Varied Conjures/Facilitations on Black Virtuosic Hope-Building

Thursday 27 July - Sunday 30 July 2023

Philadelphia, PA

Brecht on Brecht//Müller on Müller

Video

Brecht on Brecht//Müller on Müller

An Improvisation Inspired by George Tabori’s Legendary Brecht on Brecht Collage

Thursday 23 March 2023

New York City

Making Space for Queer Futurity in Texas

Podcast

Making Space for Queer Futurity in Texas

16 August 2023

Austin’s pop princess, p1nkstar, shares the story of her evolution from performance artist creating a pop star persona for Instagram to real life pop star to community leader creating spaces for fellow trans artists to showcase their work in Texas. This episode also features guest co-host Melissa Lin Sturges, coordinator of the annual Doric Wilson Panel for the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) LGBTQ+ Focus Group.

event poster for the 4th Black Spatial Relics Convening.

The Fourth Black Spatial Relics Convening

Black Spatial Relics

Video

The Fourth Black Spatial Relics Convening

A Constellation of Artist Talks, Ceremonies, a Digital Performance Showcase, and Varied Conjures/Facilitations on Black Virtuosic Hope-Building

Thursday 27 July - Sunday 30 July 2023

Philadelphia, PA

Highlighting sacred local cultural institutions including the Colored Girls Museum, the Discovery Center, and a ritual tour across the city of Philadelphia, this gathering is a space for a stirring up of a new hope, inspired entirely by the study of our ancestral and living leaders who have built for themselves and their communities a daily practice of Black virtuosic hope.

event poster with text for brecht on brecht muller on muller.

Brecht on Brecht//Müller on Müller

Segal

Center

Video

Brecht on Brecht//Müller on Müller

An Improvisation Inspired by George Tabori’s Legendary Brecht on Brecht Collage

Thursday 23 March 2023

New York City

Poems, songs, and play excerpts from Brecht about war, refugees, and singing about dark times are mixed with writings from Heiner Müller about theatre, America, capitalism and the end of revolutions.

photograph of posaka dancers performing on stage.

Livestreaming a Performance: Posaka

La MaMa

Video

Livestreaming a Performance: Posaka

Kinding Sindaw Celebrates Our 30th Anniversary !

Saturday 22 October 2022

New York City

La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club presents Posaka with Kinding Sindaw livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Saturday 22 October 2022 at 1 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 3 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 4 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

Climate Crisis

Podcast

Climate Crisis

21 October 2022

In this episode, co-hosts Bíborka and Zsófi are joined by visual and performance artist and environmental activist, Éva Bubla; dancer, choreographer, researcher, and founder of the performance research group SVUNG, Kinga Szemessy; and culture manager, event organizer, curator, founder of the PLACCC Festival, and the Hungarian liaison for the IN SITU Network, Fanni Nánay. Drawing from their individual experiences, they discuss the current climate crisis and how different artists engage with this complex issue.

Autobiography

Podcast

Autobiography

12 October 2022

In this episode, hosts Zsófi and Bíborka take apart autobiographical theatre with stage director Panni Néder, actress Judit Tarr, actor and director László Göndör, and director and dramaturg Kristóf Kelemen. Together they delve into their approach to autobiographical material, playing themselves versus acting, their lives after creating a highly personal show, and the nuances of someone else playing them onstage.

Visual Arts

Podcast

Visual Arts

21 September 2022

In the third episode of PUHA podcast, co-hosts Zsófi and Bíborka talk to the interdisciplinary collective Hollow, the experimental scenographer Eszter Kálmán, and dancer-choreographer Beatrix Simkó. Together, they discuss how their work features across different media and mixes visual and digital art with performativity. Get ready for a journey across household noise choreographies, moving bodies in Vienna’s Leopold Museum, underground queer communities in Tbilisi, and stories of friendship and pregnancy in performance art!

PUHA Season 1 Episode 2 w/ Gergö David Farkas, Kemelo Sehlapelo, and Veronika Szabó.

Queerness and Gender

Podcast

Queerness and Gender

14 September 2022

In this week’s episode of PUHA podcast, co-hosts Bíborka and Zsófi navigate their way through a discussion of what queerness means with performer, actress, and director Veronika Szabó; contemporary dancer Kemelo Sehlapelo; and dancer, choreographer, and clubber Gergő Dávid Farkas. Together, they contemplate identities, responsibility, and the way queer people exist in society.

Public Space

Podcast

Public Space

7 September 2022

In the first episode of PUHA (Performative Unity in the Hungarian Arts) podcast, co-hosts Zsófi and Bíborka, along with their guests, search for the meaning of the notion of “public space.” Through the experiences and experiments of interdisciplinary sound artist Dávid Somló; choreographer Flóra Eszter Sarlós; dancer and choreographer Gyula Cserepes; and theatremaker and performer Sarah Günther, this episode will take you on a tour of spaces, from Budapest to Denmark to London and more!

A person on the ground writing on a sign.

When Performance Art Is an Anti-War Instrument, Part Two

VIKTOR

VILISOV

Essay

When Performance Art Is an Anti-War Instrument, Part Two

4 August 2022

In part two of his essay, Russian theatremaker Viktor Vilisov delves deeper into the performative nature of war itself and how art can create spaces for collective remembrance and grief.

When Performance Art Is an Anti-War Instrument, Part One

VIKTOR

VILISOV

Essay

When Performance Art Is an Anti-War Instrument, Part One

2 August 2022

Russian theatremaker Viktor Vilisov analyzes the power performance protest holds in opposing war, oppressive governments, and state violence.

Learning from Sources: Performance and Climate Crisis in Four Brazilian Works

Martin

Domecq

Essay

Learning from Sources: Performance and Climate Crisis in Four Brazilian Works

20 April 2022

In Martin Domecq’s contribution to the Climate Emergency series, he puts four Brazillian performance art pieces in conversation to draw upon the poetic, political, and civic lessons they offer. These performances—which range from installations to solo and group performances—model possible paradigms that work against ecological crisis.

A welcome mat lying on the ground amongst bits of paper.

Eco-Performance: Brazil

Elizabeth

Doud

Essay

Eco-Performance: Brazil

19 April 2022

Elizabeth Doud introduces the Climate Emergency series, which looks to Brazilian artivism for reparative paths forward in the face of climate change.

portrait of the artist wearing a tophat and looking through a monacle.

Coffeehouse Chronicles #162 with Penny Arcade

La MaMa

Video

Coffeehouse Chronicles #162 with Penny Arcade

Part Artist-Portrait, Part History Lesson, and Part Community Forum, Coffeehouse Chronicles Takes an Intimate Look at the Development of Downtown Theatre in New York City

Saturday 5 March 2022

United States

La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club presented Coffeehouse Chronicles #162 with Penny Arcade livestreaming on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv livestreaming on Saturday 5 March 2022 at 12 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 2 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 3 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

A puppet booth with two puppets in the window.

The Brutalities of Mr. Punch

Leda

Farrow

Essay

The Brutalities of Mr. Punch

27 January 2022

Leda Farrow considers the history, legacy, and symbolic potential of Mr. Punch, a hand puppet characterized by his violent acts.

SEGAL TALKS: Eiko Otake

Segal

Center

Video

SEGAL TALKS: Eiko Otake

Join us for a conversation with Eiko Otake: A Body in Fukushima

Monday 20 December 2021

Japan

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center presented SEGAL TALKS, a conversation about curating, producing, and presenting theatre and performance in the time of COVID with Eiko Otake, livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network on Monday 20 December 2021 at 9 a.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 11 a.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 12 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5) / 17:00 GMT (London, UTC +0) / 18:00 CET (Berlin, UTC +1).

Electric Gugak

CultureHub

Video

Electric Gugak

A Multi-Locational Live Concert which Features Performances from Seoul, New York City, and Los Angeles

Friday 5 November 2021

United States

La MaMa and CultureHub presented Electric Gugak livestreaming on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Friday 5 November 2021 at 6 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 8 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 9 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 10 a.m. KST (Seoul, UTC +9).

artist holding a sitar in front of an image of a galaxy.

Waves of Gravity

CultureHub

Video

Waves of Gravity

Through Raga, Polyphonic Overtone Singing, Experimental Music, Improvisational Flights of Fancy, and Spoken Word, Neel Murgai Creates a Psychedelic Universe of Sight and Sound

Thursday 21 October and Friday 22 October 2021

United States

La MaMa and CultureHub present Waves of Gravity livestreaming on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 21 October and Friday 22 October 2021 at 5 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 7 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 8 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

black background with white text taylor talks above black and white portraits of artists

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac

HERE Arts Center

Video

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac

Episode 8: Sachiyo Takahashi & gamin

Tuesday 4 May 2021

United States

HERE presented Taylor Talks: Episode 8 with Sachiyo Takahashi & gamin livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 4 May 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

arms covered in paint reaching toward a person looking down.

Downtown Variety: Kenya Edition

CultureHub

La MaMa

Video

Downtown Variety: Kenya Edition

Bringing La MaMa's 1960s café aesthetic to a virtual platform that links performers and audiences in real time across distance

Friday 30 April 2021

Kenya

La MaMa and CultureHub presented Downtown Variety: Kenya Edition livestreaming on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Friday 30 April 2021 at 9 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 11 a.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 12 p.m. PDT (New York, UTC -4) / 7 p.m. EAT (Nairobi, UTC +3).

zoom windows of artists performing in their homes.

Sonic Gathering In Person

CultureHub

Video

Sonic Gathering In Person

Featuring a rotating cast of dancers and musicians presenting new collaborative work of movement and sound

Wednesday 7 April 2021

United States

CultureHub presented Sonic Gathering In Person with Re-Fest livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 7 April 2021 at 3 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 5 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 6 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

white text taylor talks on black background with black and white portraits of taylor mac, Ximena Garnica, and Shige Moriya.

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac

HERE Arts Center

Video

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac

Episode 6: Ximena Garnica & Shige Moriya

Tuesday 6 April 2021

United States

HERE presented Taylor Talks: Episode 6 with Ximena Garnica & Shige Moriya livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 4 April 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

Glod: Political Theatre as a Civil Right event poster.

CRIME: A response to Crime and Punishment by Feodor Dostoievsky

BÉZNĂ Theatre

Video

CRIME: A response to Crime and Punishment by Feodor Dostoievsky

Performance followed by a panel discussion

Monday 5 April 2021

Romania

Glod: Political Theatre as a Civil Right presented CRIME: A response to Crime and Punishment by Feodor Dostoievsky livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 5 April 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 6 p.m. BST (London, UTC +1) / 20:00 EEST (Cluj, UTC +3).

Downtown Variety: Serbia Edition

CultureHub

La MaMa

Video

Downtown Variety: Serbia Edition

Bringing La MaMa's 1960s café aesthetic to a virtual platform that links performers and audiences in real time across distance

Friday 19 February 2021

Serbia

La MaMa and CultureHub presented Downtown Variety: Serbia Edition livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Friday 19 February 2020 at 1 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 3 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 4 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

Liberating Terror

Sayda

Trujillo

Essay

Liberating Terror

Clown and Activism

13 November 2020

Sayda Trujillo talks about white supremacy’s prevalence in clown pedagogy and shares how the invincible spirit of the clown has shaped her, “seeping through every tiny crack possible to make itself present to speak, to laugh, to sing, to bounce, to witness, and to encounter.”