A colleague once called Duncan “a radical make-happener.” This title is apt. Sarah Duncan regularly brings people together to make trouble, art, community, and fight for justice. From 2011 to 2016 in NYC, Duncan curated, organized, and hosted multiple events throughout the city. These events predominantly took place at Judson Memorial Church’s BailOut Theater Nights and as part of La MaMa’s Poetry Electric Series. Additionally, Duncan co-created and produced three Occupy the Empty Space theatre festivals between 2011 and 2013.
OCCUPY THE EMPTY SPACE
Occupy the Empty Space was a theater festival + direct action, founded in December, 2011, by Kate Foster and Sarah Duncan. The festival arose from within the heart of the Occupy Wall Street Movement in New York City. As the protest art swirled around them, both women were ignited to action by the questions this art, and this movement, raised.
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Occupy the Empty Space was a theater festival + direct action, founded in December, 2011, by Kate Foster and Sarah Duncan. The festival arose from within the heart of the Occupy Wall Street Movement in New York City. As the protest art swirled around them, both women were ignited to action by the questions this art, and this movement, raised.
Learn more...
JUDSON ARTS: BAILOUT THEATER
Duncan curated and hosted three BailOut Theater nights. These nights followed the Judson Arts BailOut formula: a free group meal, and following that, a free arts show in the Loft of Judson Church. The particular nights Duncan managed were filled with poetry, video, and live music. Duncan brought a myriad of talented performers on board, including Audra Wolowiec, Caley Vickerman, Siobhan O’Loughlin, Sharisse Francisco, Justin Woo, Nicole Goodwin, Teniece Divya Johnson, and Anna/Kate.
Duncan curated and hosted three BailOut Theater nights. These nights followed the Judson Arts BailOut formula: a free group meal, and following that, a free arts show in the Loft of Judson Church. The particular nights Duncan managed were filled with poetry, video, and live music. Duncan brought a myriad of talented performers on board, including Audra Wolowiec, Caley Vickerman, Siobhan O’Loughlin, Sharisse Francisco, Justin Woo, Nicole Goodwin, Teniece Divya Johnson, and Anna/Kate.
POETRY ELECTRIC
With the support of Poetry Electric series head, William “Electric” Black, Duncan curated and hosted two performance poetry nights at La MaMa Experimental Theater Club. The first show, entitled "The Lot I’ve Got, Poetry on Privilege," asked performers and audience to examine the various societal privileges they either held or lacked, and what that meant for themselves and the world. The second show, entitled "Only Yes: Poetry on Consent," examined consent of the body, consent of the mind, and consent as citizens. Both events had a stellar line-up, including: Safia Elhillo, Kit Yan, Adam Falkner, Lauren Whitehead, Taylor Steele, Timothy DuWhite, Alyssa Harley, Amy Virginia Buchanan, and Michelle Thompson.
With the support of Poetry Electric series head, William “Electric” Black, Duncan curated and hosted two performance poetry nights at La MaMa Experimental Theater Club. The first show, entitled "The Lot I’ve Got, Poetry on Privilege," asked performers and audience to examine the various societal privileges they either held or lacked, and what that meant for themselves and the world. The second show, entitled "Only Yes: Poetry on Consent," examined consent of the body, consent of the mind, and consent as citizens. Both events had a stellar line-up, including: Safia Elhillo, Kit Yan, Adam Falkner, Lauren Whitehead, Taylor Steele, Timothy DuWhite, Alyssa Harley, Amy Virginia Buchanan, and Michelle Thompson.