season 36 | 2023-24
mAGIC TO HEAL BROKEN WORLDS
Green New Theatre Symposium
September 14-17, 2023
All ages, with select events for 18+
Centers environmental justice over four days of performances, panels, walks, and gardening. Inspired by the ancient Greek symposium: a convivial party with music, dance, poetry, and conversation in a free interchange of ideas. Featuring Annie Sprinkle and Elizabeth Stephens, Glass Half Full Theatre, Proyecto Teatro, and dozens more. Plus vegan brunch on Sunday September 17, 2023, and climate change theatre action play readings. ASL interpretation available for some performances.
CABAREX: Orígenes
September 23-October 8, 2023
Teatro en español / Spanish language theatre
Proyecto Teatro celebrates their 20th season as the 2023-24 resident ensemble theatre at The VORTEX.
Salvador Dali’s Naked Feast
Saturday October 21, 2023
The VORTEX’s annual one-night-only fundraiser is a surreal costume party featuring live music, performance, interactive crafting, cocktails, and naked platters. Ages 18+
Malum Malus Burlesque: Samhain
October 26-28, 2023, ASL interpretation October 27
Occult burlesque and contemporary dance celebrate the pagan holiday of Samhain. Ages 18+
Miss Lulu Bett
November 17-December 9, 2023
Presented by Different Stages
Adapted in 1920 by playwright Zona Gale from her novel, Miss Lulu Bett became in 1921 the first play by a woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama.
The Mutt-Cracker (SWEET!)
December 15-30, 2023, ASL interpretation December 20 and 23
Circus Chickendog’s holiday show retells The Nutcracker with juggling, acrobatics, and dogs.
Tammie Brown’s Holiday Sparkle
December 22-23, 2023
Drag queen Tammie Brown presents a holiday show.
CABAREX 2: RevoLUZiones
January 13-28, 2024
ProyectoTEATRO, the resident ensemble at The VORTEX this season, presents the second of three shows about Latinx culture. CABAREX 2 spans post-colonial New Spain through the twentieth century.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Poetry Open Mic
January 15, 2024
Hosted by Ebony Stewart
LAMAN HAYWAN
February 2-3, 2024
The VORTEX presents LAMAN HAYWAN, an immersive biohacking performance installation by mirrored fatality, on February 2, 2024, and a workshop entitled ZYGMUTROPHOOZE, also by mirrored fatality, on February 3, 2024
AMAGING! Age Is More Than Just a Number ~ It’s a Story
February 8-11, 2024
Workshop performance by drag queen World Famous *BOB*. Ages 18+
OUTsider Fest
February 15-18, 2024
Ages 18+
A queer transmedia festival produced by OUTsider.
UNDARK: A Radioactive Puppet Play
February 29-March 16, 2024, ASL interpretation March 7
The story of the radium girls, produced by Trouble Puppet Theater Company
Garden Party
March 10, 2024
The annual renewal of The VORTEX garden and butterfly sanctuary featuring live music, a petting zoo, and gardening activities for all ages. ASL interpreted
Bridging with Mother
March 21-23, 2024
Tyagaraja Welch of Sustainable Humane Earth Productions (SHE Produces) presents his latest singular art experience. Bridging with Mother is an artistic call to “conjoin,” to “merge,” or to “become one with nature.” Experience live music, classical Indian dance, multimedia art, acting, and stage design created by Tyagaraja Welch and directed by his partner Gunjen Mittal.
The Black Feminist Guide to the Human Body
April 12-May 4, 2024, ASL interpretation April 20
A world premiere choreopoem by Lisa B. Thompson
A spiritual mixtape, praise dance, community guide, self-help book, lullaby, road map, collective diary of prayers and lies, and love song for Black women and girls. Co-commissioned through the National Performance Network (NPN) with Fusebox Festival, Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, and Pyramid Theatre.
Malum Malus Burlesque: Beltane
May 9-11, 2024
Ages 18+
Occult burlesque and contemporary dance celebrate the pagan holiday of Beltane.
False Starts, Falls, Fouls, or The Art of Making Mistakes
May 16-19, 2024, ASL interpretation May 16
Dance performance produced by Diverse Space Dance Theatre, with choreography by Toni Bravo
ProyectoTEATRO: CABAREX 3
May 25-June 8, 2024
ProyectoTEATRO, the resident ensemble at The VORTEX this season, presents the third of three shows about Latinx culture, this one focusing on the future.
La Maleta de Maebelle (Maebelle’s Suitcase)
June 14-29, 2024
A bilingual adaptation of the book by Tricia Tusa. Maebelle and her friend, a migratory bird, teach one another how to remember and how to let go of things. Featuring various styles of puppetry, environmental themes, and Colombian music.
Una adaptación bilingüe de un celebrado y querido libro ilustrado para todas las edades. Maebelle y su amigo, un pájaro migratorio, se enseñan a sí mismos cómo acordarse y cómo dejarse de las cosas. Con variados estilos de títeres, temas ambientales y música Colombiana.
Queer Black Emancipation Open Mic
June 17, 2024
Hosted by Ebony Stewart, Ages 18+
Summer Youth Theatre: Thrive, or What You Will
July 26-August 3, 2024
Written by LM Feldman
This play charts the story of the first woman to circumnavigate the globe. Directed by Sarah Hogestyn. Summer Youth Theatre is The VORTEX’s tuition-free program for youth ages 13-17.
Malum Malus Burlesque: Lammas
August 8-10, 2024
Ages 18+
Sunny Days
August 22-September 14, 2024, ASL interpretation August 29
By Reina Hardy. Directed by Rudy Ramirez. With puppet design by Caroline Reck,
Set in three broken worlds: war-torn Kosovo, the Texas-Mexico border, and the climate-change-ravaged future. The production run will include special events with everyday activism activities and all-ages storytelling.
Funny, Like an Abortion
September 21-October 12, 2024
National New Play Network rolling world premiere play by Rachel Bublitz.
Since abortions are illegal in the United States, Monroe throws herself a surprise abortion party, resulting in a comedy of unfortunate choices. Ages 18+
NEW in 2023-2024: $25 MONTHLY Memberships for Unlimited Theatre Tickets
Plus year-’round discounts at The Butterfly Bar and Patrizi’s and access to members-only quarterly events where you get to meet fellow theatre-lovers. Learn more about The VORTEX monthly membership here.