Process-Led Performance Ensemble

Call for Collaborators: A Process-Led Performance Ensemble

Facilitated by Ramona Rotten

We are seeking a small cohort of performance artists/experimental theatre practitioners to form a new, process-focused ensemble dedicated to embodied research, experimentation, and collaborative inquiry. This is not a traditional rehearsal process. Instead, we are building a long-term creative ecosystem designed for artists who center risk, hybridity, and rigorous play in their work. Our goal is to develop a shared artistic language that supports both individual growth and collective creation. We will engage in both intellectual and physical research.

The Philosophy:

• Research Over Result: We prioritize the "how" over the "what."
• The Body as Vessel: We treat the physical self as a site of deep knowledge.
• Communal Practice: Alongside our private sessions, we will host open workshop days to share our practice with the broader community.
• Organic Evolution: While there are no immediate performance dates, we will host occasional cabarets for work-in-progress and schedule presentations only as the work demands.

Who You Are:

You are radically inquisitive and hungry for transformation. You are interested in testing the limits of performance and are willing to engage energetically in a research-driven, community-minded environment.

Notes:

This ensemble prioritizes women, non-binary, and queer self-identifying individuals. We believe that centering these perspectives enriches our collective research and expands the boundaries of performance. While we lead with this priority, we welcome applications from any artist who feels called to this specific way of working.

Note on Work Samples: Your work sample can be in
any medium (writing, video, performance, etc). Pick something that
highlights who you are as an artist.(You can upload or leave a link to
your work, either is fine)

Details:

Apply By: January 7th

Start Date: February 7th

Schedule: Ongoing, Every other Saturday, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Location: Ravenswood Neighborhood in Chicago

Cost: There is no cost to participate.

Cohort: We are starting with a small, focused group with the potential to expand in the future.

About the Facilitator: Ramona Rotten (she/hers) is a multidisciplinary artist and writer based in Chicago, Il, where she serves as the artistic director of Meat Machine Theatre. Her work spans experimental theatre and performance art, exploring themes of voyeurism, embodiment and the fluid roles of spectator and participant. Fascinated by the obscure, obscene and strange, Rotten's art pushes the boundaries of what performance can be. To view previous projects, please visit www.ramonarotten.com and @rottenreligieuse on Instagram

Questions? Email Ramona at rottenreligieuse@gmail.com