Digital Soirées

concept developed by Georges Pfrunder, Tandile Mbatsha & Cat Jugravu

The concept of the Digital Soirees orbits around fabulating and creating a platform for queer performance makers and applied theatre makers; to engage in meaningful discussions, showcase their work, and connect with each other in a digital context. The overarching curatorial themes serve as a metaphorical exploration of the complexities of the human experience, particularly concerning senses, memory, identity, societal narratives and specifically those human experiences of racialised and gendered queer subjectivities. This theme opens up avenues for artists to delve into the multifaceted nature of senses, its ties to memory and perception, and how it intersects with the queer and trans* experience.

The Soirees are an integral part of the broader PAC (Performing Arts in Context) program, which seeks to establish an international network of educators, researchers, and artists within higher education, aiming to foster dialogue and collaboration within the performing arts field. The Digital Soirees represent a focused segment of the PAC program, inviting LGBTQIA* artists from around the world to contribute their perspectives to this vibrant exchange of experiences, ideas and artistic expressions.

Key Components of the Digital Soirees

Exploration of Theme:

The curatorial themes provide a conceptual framework for artists to explore the intersections of smell, memory, identity, and societal norms in the context of queer experiences. The theme encourages artists to investigate the nuances and complexities of these concepts through their creative work.

Digital Engagement:

In response to the evolving digital landscape, the Soirees take place in a virtual environment, allowing artists, participants and witnessers to engage transnationally/ across the evidently receding socio-political, cultural and economic boundaries. The digital format enables broader accessibility and participation, fostering a global dialogue on queer performance and applied theatre.

Artistic Showcases:

The core of the Soirees involves showcasing the works of 9-12 LGBTQIA* performance and applied theatre makers. These works are presented digitally over a three-day period. Works embody the essence of the theme and offer diverse perspectives on queer experiences and narratives.

Discussion and Exchange:

Beyond presenting their works, participating artists have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about their creative processes, concepts, and themes. This dialogue encourages the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and strategies, contributing to the enrichment of the broader queer artistic community.

Global Connections:

The Soirees aim to connect LGBTQIA* artists from different parts of the world. By fostering these connections, the event encourages trans-cultural collaboration, idea-sharing, and the establishment of lasting relationships within the queer performing arts community.

Resilience and Visibility:

The Soirees emphasise the importance (not romanticise) of resilience and visibility in the context of queer performance and applied theatre. Artists are invited to explore how their creative practices contribute to the visibility of queer narratives, challenge normative perceptions, and empower marginalised voices.

Synergy and Learning:

Through the digital platform, artists have the opportunity to discover synergies between their work and the works of others. The shared space enables learning and growth as artists draw inspiration from diverse artistic approaches and perspectives.

Reflective Elaboration:

After streaming their work, participating artists are encouraged to provide verbal elaborations on their practice. This reflective aspect allows artists to offer insights into their creative process, intentions, and interpretations of the theme, fostering a deeper understanding among peers and participants.

Curatorship/ Queeratorship Practices:

Depending on where the PAC conference is held, the queerators of the Digital Soirées seek a queerator to join the Soirées queerators team, to co-curate and co-host the Soirée in the said location of the PAC. This is a core politic born out of respect and seeks to honour the work queer artists and cultural workers are already doing in the country/ region.

The Digital Soirees ultimately serve as a space where emerging queer performance and applied theatre makers can not only showcase their artistic work but also engage in a meaningful exchange of ideas, connect with peers from around the world, and contribute to the visibility and resilience of queer and trans* narratives in the performing arts. By adopting a digital format, the Soirees demonstrate the adaptability of the arts to contemporary contexts while retaining the essence of meaningful artistic exploration and connection.

PROGRAM 2022

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 curatorial team