5th Installment of NEEDING IT: Solo Performance in Queer Community Set for 6/21

This year marks the fifth installment of "NEEDING IT: Solo Performance in Queer Community," a two-month workshop in which students develop their own pieces while studying the history of queer performance in New York City. This class emerged directly from the very first show Dan Fishback developed at BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange, when he was an Artist in Residence in 2010-11. Fishback's solo piece, "thirtynothing," aimed to make sense of his life as a young queer person in the context of his community's history -- a history that was largely unknown to him. Through this work, Fishback began to understand that history is a human right, and that queer communities cannot be healthy unless there are structured ways to pass along stories from generation to generation.

When Fishback first offered the class in 2012, we were living in such a historical vacuum, and much of the cultural history that he shared with his students, like the work of Marsha P. Johnson (not only as an activist but as a great performing artist!), was shocking and new to them. But only a few years later, queer culture in New York City has become so much more reverent of the past, and many young people are learning about their history more naturally, which liberates us to have more nuanced conversations. The NEEDING IT class this year is brilliant and insightful, and Fishback cannot wait to share their work in the BAX theater on June 21st at 8pm.

NEEDING IT is part of an ongoing education initiative of The Helix Queer Performance Network, a collaboration between La Mama Experimental Theatre Club, The Hemispheric Institute of Performance and Politics and BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange seeking to empower queer performers, unite diverse communities and celebrate the legacy and lineage of queer performance in New York City.

This program was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The Helix Queer Performance Network

The Helix Queer Performance Network is a collaboration between La MaMa Experimental Theater Club, BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange and the Hemispheric Institute of Performance & Politics, seeking to nurture emerging queer performers, empower queer communities, and celebrate the legacy and lineage of queer performance in New York City.

DAN FISHBACK, Director of the Helix Queer Performance Network

Dan Fishback has been writing and performing in New York City since 2003. His play "The Material World," was called "one of the best downtown musicals in years" by Time Out New York (Top Ten of 2012). Major works also include "thirtynothing" (2011) and "You Will Experience Silence" (2012), all directed by Stephen Brackett at Dixon Place. Other work has been performed at the New Museum, Joe's Pub, P.S. 122 and BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange. He has enjoyed residencies at Kelly Writers House at the University of Pennsylvania (2012-2013), the Hemispheric Institute of Performance & Politics (2012), BAX (2010-2012), Yaddo and the MacDowell Colony. He has received grants from the Franklin Furnace Fund (2010) and the Six Points Fellowship for Emerging Jewish Artists (2007-2009). Also a performing songwriter, Fishback got his start in the East Village's anti-folk scene. His band, Cheese On Bread, has toured Europe and North America in support of their two full-length albums. As a solo artist, Fishback has released several recordings, including "Sweet Chastity" (2005, produced by César Alvarez of The Lisps), and his latest "The Mammal Years" (2012, produced by Casey Holford). Fishback is currently writing a book about AIDS and the gay generation gap based on his solo show "thirtynothing." www.danfishback.com

BAX/BROOKLYN ARTS EXCHANGE

Founded in 1991, BAX | Brooklyn Arts Exchange, is a community based performing arts center dedicated to developing artists of all ages, from children to professionals. The organization offers community access to arts and culture, supporting the creation of new work by emerging artists, engaging diverse audiences and providing arts education to youth and families. BAX has intentionally constructed an environment where children study and professional artists create under the same roof. Students are mentored by professional directors and choreographers. The organization's distinct focus on developmental process makes it a nurturing incubator for experimental dance and theater artists and is an important advocate for under-represented voices in the New York City performing arts community. www.bax.org

Tuesday, June 21, 2016 @ 8:00pm

Tickets: $16 General/$10 Low Income [ BUY ]

Based on a class facilitated by Dan Fishback

STARRING (in alphabetical order)

m.b.

Anastasia Eckerson

Thomas Gibbons
Kalon Hayward
David Henninger
Linda La Montanez
Deesha Narichania
Teshale Nuer
Alexander Paris
Jacob Tobia