A performance-lecture conceived, curated, and presented by Ballroom Icon Founder Michael Roberson Maison-Margiela that explores these fundamental queries: What is performance? Does it have a politics? Does it have a theology? What are the conditions in which performance can open spaces of critique and propositions of freedom?

This performance explores these questions through the history and narrative of the Black LGBTQ+ House and Ballroom community. An intentional and inter-generational kinship communal structure whose roots stem from the Harlem Renaissance, Ballroom was created through the ethos of Black Trans Women in New York City and has now migrated across the US and the world. We examine the community’s pains, its struggles, its joys, its triumphs, and its brilliance, in ways that go beyond the 1990’s documentary “Paris is Burning”, the groundbreaking television show “Pose”, and HBO/Max’s ballroom competition show “Legendary”.

The performance weaves together the Black art forms of dialogue, song and spoken word, along with ballet and Ballroom’s signature dance form vogue. It features a stellar, star-studded cast of Ballroom’s most prolific artists, performers and voguers. It is our fundamental belief and assertion that “Ballroom Has Something to Say”: it teaches us what it means to be human in the struggle for freedom while confronted with catastrophe.

Performances by:

• • ICON HALL OF FAMER FOUNDER MICHAEL ROBERSON MAISON-MARGIELA
  • ICON HALL OF FAMER ARTURO MIYAKE MUGLER (TONY AWARD WINNER, CATS:THE JELLICLE BALL)
  • PIONEER ODU ADAMU (FILMMAKER, “WE CALL IT BALLROOM”, “GRAND PRIZE”, “THE DIVINE FEMME”)
  • LEGENDARY KHAOS LANVIN
  • LEGENDARY MALIK MIYAKE-MUGLER
  • REV KEN ALSTON JR
  • KADAVION TAYLOR GORGEOUS GUCCI
  • PRIMO THE BALLERINA (SATURDAY CHURCH, CATS:THE JELLICLE BALL)
  • RICKY TUCKER (AUTHOR,”AND THE CATEGORY IS”)
  • BRAD WALROND (AUTHOR, “EVERYWHERE ALIEN”)
  • MALIK BERRY
  • MISS FATIMA JAMAUL
  • THE COMPANY OF THE VOGUE ORCHESTRA, FEATURING (SIMBA, SHARON, JODI, WADE, DARIUS, BRYCE, JOSH, ALL FROM THE HOUSE OF MIYAKE-MUGLER

Registration is required for all attendees. Non-NYU guests must present a government-issued photo ID that matches the name provided during registration. NYU affiliates must present their NYU ID for entry.

This venue has an elevator and is accessible for wheelchair users. If you have any access needs, please email csgs@nyu.edu