August 22, 2025 | Uncategorized,

Mapping out the 25/26 ArtsEmerson Season

This season, we’re thrilled to welcome artists from across the globe and across the street. Each production brings not just its own voice, but the voice of its city, its region, and the people who shaped it. Here’s a look at where our 25/26 season comes from:

San Francisco, CA: Kristina Wong, #FoodBankInfluencer comes to us from the Bay Area, where Kristina Wong’s mix of political comedy and community care was born. Inspired by her real-life work organizing mutual aid during the pandemic, this solo show is rooted in urgency, resourcefulness, and Bay Area grit.

Harlem, NY: HANG TIME by Zora Howard channels the spirit and rhythm of Harlem. Howard’s background in spoken word, theater, and film blends into a piece that explores the interior lives of Black men suspended in time. Harlem isn’t just a setting—it’s a source.

Chicago, IL: Manual Cinema returns with The 4th Witch, a cinematic and shadow-filled reimagining of Macbeth. Their signature style—part puppetry, part film, part live performance—emerged from the vibrant experimental scene in Chicago.

Moscow, Russia and New York, NY: SpaceBridge, a multimedia performance created by Irina Kruzhilina and Visual Echo, spans continents. With roots in Moscow and New York, the piece draws from Cold War history, citizen diplomacy, and the artists’ own cross-cultural connections.

Nova Scotia, CA and Tampa, FL: Noli Timere (Latin for “do not be afraid”) is a collaboration between choreographer Rebecca Lazier and visual artist Janet Echelman. Lazier is based in Nova Scotia, while Echelman’s work originates from Tampa. Together they build an immersive, moving meditation on resilience and transformation.

Seattle, WA: The Things Around Us by Ahamefule J. Oluo blends music, memoir, and comedy. Oluo’s creative roots are in Seattle, but his perspective is shaped by a childhood in Texas. The result is both deeply personal and wildly expansive.

Oslo, Norway and New York, NY: Dead as a Dodo from Wakka Wakka is a darkly funny, visually stunning piece about extinction and climate collapse. The company’s co-founders work between Oslo and New York, and their international viewpoint fuels a distinctly offbeat, deeply resonant style.

Massachusetts (via Nigeria): In Old Age by Mfoniso Udofia, produced in collaboration with Front Porch Arts Collective, reflects a homecoming of sorts. Udofia is a Wellesley alum whose work centers Nigerian American stories. This piece, rooted in spiritual reckoning and emotional survival, ties global diaspora to local identity.

New York, NY: The Secret Sharer by DNAWORKS is an ensemble-driven, multimedia adaptation that explores power, secrecy, and solidarity. Based in New York City, DNAWORKS brings an activist lens to all their storytelling, building work that connects across borders and experiences.