Digital Soirées I ‘the nose is always at fault’

Georges Pfrunder, Tandile Mbatsha & Cat Jugravu

The Digital Soirées focus on providing a platform for queer and applied theatre artists to connect, discuss, and showcase their work online. The themes explore human experiences related to senses, memory, and identity, particularly within racialized and gendered queer communities. These events are part of the broader PAC program, which aims to connect educators, researchers, and artists in performing arts. The Digital Soirées specifically invite LGBTQIA+ artists from around the world to share their perspectives and artistic expressions.

At the heart of the Soirées are the artistic showcases featuring 9-12 LGBTQIA* performance and applied theatre creators. These works, presented digitally over a three-day period, encapsulate the essence of the theme while offering a kaleidoscope of perspectives on queer experiences and narratives.

Beyond the presentations, participating artists engage in meaningful discussions about their creative processes, concepts, and themes. This dialogue encourages the exchange of ideas, diverse perspectives, and innovative strategies, enriching the broader queer artistic community.

The Soirées aim to forge connections among LGBTQIA* artists from diverse corners of the globe, fostering trans-cultural collaboration, idea-sharing, and lasting relationships within the queer performing arts community.

Resilience and visibility are key focal points of the Soirées. Artists are invited to examine how their creative practices contribute to the visibility of queer narratives, challenge normative perceptions, and empower marginalized voices, without romanticizing the struggle.

The digital platform facilitates synergy and learning as artists discover commonalities between their work and that of their peers. This shared space encourages artistic growth and development by drawing inspiration from various artistic approaches and perspectives.

After presenting their work, artists are encouraged to provide reflective elaborations on their practice. This introspective aspect enables artists to share insights into their creative process, intentions, and interpretations of the theme, fostering a deeper understanding among peers and participants.

The inclusion of a queerator, depending on the location of the PAC conference, is a vital practice that respects and acknowledges the work that queer artists and cultural workers are already undertaking in that specific country or region.

In essence, the Soirées serve as a pivotal platform for emerging queer performance and applied theatre artists. They not only showcase their creative endeavors but also facilitate a dynamic exchange of ideas, connections with fellow professionals worldwide, and a significant contribution to the amplification of queer and trans* narratives within the performing arts. The Soirées' digital adaptation exemplifies the arts' ability to adapt to modern landscapes while upholding the core principles of artistic exploration and camaraderie.

artists

BELINDA QAQAMBA KA-FASSIE + MOONI PERRY + MARINA SHAMOVA + JONAS BAUR + OPEN OUT FESTIVAL TROMSØ + PAWEŁ ŚWIERCZEK + AMAQHAWEKAZI EMAFINI MALAMLELA + IBANJIHA + LUKHANYISO SKOSANA + EMMANUEL NDEFO + YUK YU WAN + YEONSA CHA + DRAG IN GENTLEMEN +

2022 queerators

ISU MIGNON MIGNONNE

TANDILE MBATSHA

CAT JUGRAVU