Okpokwasili's practice sits between dance, theatre and installation, working on breath and repetition rather than steps you can count, which is why critics keep reaching for words like devastating. The Fishman Space is small enough that the physical cost of what she and her collaborators do is legible from every seat. If you want the Next Wave pick that gets argued about for years, this is it.
What to expect
Ninety minutes with no intermission in BAM's most intimate performance space. Expect ritual structure, layered sound, extended vocal work, and a staging that treats the room and its lighting as part of the piece rather than a container for it. There is no conventional narrative to follow, and the pacing rewards patience.
Good to know
- BAM Fisher is at 321 Ashland Place; the 2/3/4/5/B/Q/R at Atlantic Ave-Barclays Center is the closest hub.
- Running time is one hour and thirty minutes with no intermission.
- The Fishman Space is a flexible black box, so seating configuration varies by production.
- BAM members get first access and a discount on single tickets.
- Bundling three or more BAM performances lowers the per-ticket price.
- The material is dense and adult in tone; it suits older teenagers and adults.
Get Saturday planned every Thursday
One email a week — the best of the NYC weekend board. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Common questions
Do I need to have seen part 1?
No. It continues a mythos begun at BAM in 2023 but is built to stand on its own.
Is this dance or theater?
BAM lists it as both. sweat variant works at the crossroads of dance, theater and visual art.
How long is it?
An hour and a half, performed without an intermission.
More this weekend
