The APEX Festival: Barbies, Bodies, and Bondage & The Real T-Gaysian of NYC

Barbies, Bodies, and Bondage is the initial development of an interactive experience exploring the intersections of Disability, beauty, and mythology.

The Barbie: A housewife. The body: Disabled. The Bondage: That is up to you to decide.  

At what point does an obsession with “fixing” a failing body become harmful?  

Zandra Paxton (creator/Housewife), explores what it means for a Disabled individual to have ownership over their own body. In a kooky, warped reality where a housewife marries her Doctor, you’re invited into their home to reminisce, laugh, and speculate the boundaries between care and harm. Some participation Is encouraged, but it is more than ok to take a “fly on the wall” approach as the events unfold.

Dive into The Real T-Gaysian of NYC, a captivating solo performance by Bin Bin Kuo, showcasing the lives of six unique gay Taiwanese in the Big Apple. Through an ingenious mix of live performance and video projections, Bin Bin brings to life the joys, struggles, and resilience of these characters, offering a poignant glimpse into their journey of balancing Asian and LGBTQ+ identities. This production not only entertains but also enlightens, making a bold statement on cultural understanding and the power of community in today’s world.

APEX Festival is a collective, artistic activation of the HERE Arts Center by graduating MFA Contemporary Theatre and Performance students. Ten distinct projects presented over three weeks serve as each student’s capstone offering as well as a public introduction to their work as it exists at this stage in their development. In celebration, the School of Drama invites The New School community, communities surrounding The New School, and communities beyond to experience a collection of performative artworks that push the boundaries of discipline and form.

Updated: March 8, 2023

HERE is now a mask-optional space. All patrons attending HERE performances and events will no longer be required to wear masks.

We ask all audience members to please stay home if they have a sore throat, are feeling sick in any other way, or have been recently exposed to COVID-19, and to please contact the box office for refunds or exchanges.

All of our performers, technicians, and staff members are required to be fully vaccinated. Additionally, they are participating in an active testing regimen to keep everyone as safe as possible.

HERE reserves the right to revise protocols as the rate of transmission changes and in light of new scientific data that may present itself.