Physical Theater Festival Chicago: A Celebration of Movement and Storytelling
The 13th annual Physical Theater Festival Chicago concluded its week-long run on June 7, featuring a diverse slate of international and local performances that spanned genres from acrobatics to mask work. Co-founders Alice da Cunha and Marc Frost curated the event, which showcased five headlining acts and a variety of workshops designed to foster community engagement and explore the boundaries of non-verbal storytelling.
Did You Know? The 2024 festival marked a significant milestone with the inclusion of the first-ever mask piece in the event’s history, titled Los Regalos, presented by the Peruvian group Compañia de Teatro Físico.
How the festival defines physical theatre
According to Alice da Cunha, the artistic director, physical theatre serves as an approach to performance rather than a specific product. She notes that the medium relies heavily on visual storytelling, stating that audiences who close their eyes would miss a significant portion of the performance. The festival programming reflects this by incorporating clowning, puppetry, mime, and dance to emphasize the body in space.
What were the festival highlights?
The event featured five headliners selected from over 250 submissions, alongside a “Scratch Night” for local Chicago artists. The circus collective Full Out Formula performed I Think It Could Work, a show involving complex acrobatic feats and audience participation. Other highlights included Sora Baek’s SELL ME: I am from North Korea, a solo show documenting her life experiences, and Luciano Rosso’s Apocalipsync, which used non-verbal performance to explore the isolation of the 2020 pandemic.
Expert Insight: The role of audience advocacy
Expert Insight: The success of the festival in Chicago is largely attributed to what curator Scott Ray Merchant describes as “audience advocacy.” By participating in workshops and engaging with performers, the local community provides the necessary support for experimental work to thrive. This environment allows artists to refine complex, non-traditional performances, such as those involving neutral masks or acrobatics, in a setting that prioritizes artistic exchange over static final products.
What happens next for the festival?
Following the conclusion of the June 1–7 event, organizers are expected to begin the planning phase for next year’s iteration. As the festival has established a track record of hosting international talent and local workshops, it is likely that future programming will continue to emphasize cross-cultural exchange. Participants and performers may continue to apply the techniques learned in the festival’s workshops, such as clowning and mask work, to their ongoing creative projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of the Physical Theater Festival Chicago?
The festival focuses on non-verbal and movement-based performance, including acrobatics, mask work, clowning, and puppetry, to foster community and celebrate international and local artistic work.
How are the festival performers selected?
Co-founders Alice da Cunha and Marc Frost select headlining performers from a pool of more than 250 submissions annually.
Can the public participate in the festival beyond watching performances?
Yes, the festival includes workshops where participants can learn techniques such as acrobatics, neutral mask work, and clowning, as well as sessions on developing one-person shows.
What aspects of live performance do you find most compelling when words are removed from the stage?