News + Press

Brooklyn, NY— CPR – Center for Performance Research, which supports the development and incubation of new work in dance, performance, and time-based art, is pleased to announce its 2024 Fall Season of public programs featuring performances, installations, workshops, and special events with CPR Artists-in-Residence and an expansive network of artists, organizations, and guest curators. The season includes the highly anticipated lineup for CPR’s annual Fall Movement after receiving an unprecedented 260 proposals through an OPEN CALL. Alongside the 2024 Fall Season, CPR is also pleased to announce a Winter 2025 Technical Residency with Jen Rosenblit and Simone Aughterlony.

“This season at CPR, artists are responding to our urgent present with resilience and regeneration, exploring the possibilities of listening, collaboration, and resistance to process ecological collapse, waves of grief, and an uncertain future,” says Anna Muselmann, CPR Programs Manager. “Through analog and digital practices – including trance-inducing rhythms, pleasure ceremonies, possession rituals, satirical cults, storytelling, archiving, clowning, flamenco, feedback, and AI avatars – and amidst angsty landscapes, grime, paranoia, binary fatigue, decay, and climate disaster, artists this fall are sharing new work, ideas, and processes that facilitate communal healing, imagination, adaptation, and liberation.”

read more

In Brooklyn, at the Center for Performance Research, Giving You the Best That We Got: The Ayana & Tsedaye Variety Show, held over two evenings, brightened a drizzly summer weekend in June. The program blurred the boundary between reality, satire, and comedy, inviting viewers into a world of uncontrollable jiggles, introspective conversations, and reluctant make-believe.

The performance space was uniquely compact: the stage waa divided into a living room-like space for interviews, and a performance area where the “action” happens. In the back is a big screen for video projections, and downstage left a dresser with lights, makeup products, and a mirror. The DJ booth, the stage manager’s booth, cameras, and monitors were all around the performance space. There was an interactive and engaging quality to this close-packed setup—the fourth wall is rendered nonexistent, and the audience occasionally glances at the side monitors to see if the camera is panning over their faces.

read more

Brooklyn, NY— CPR – Center for Performance Research, which supports the development and incubation of new work in dance, performance, and time-based art, is pleased to announce its 2024 Spring Season of public programs and residencies. The season features performances, installations, workshops, and special events with CPR Artists-in-Residence and an expansive network of artists, organizations, and guest curators.

“This spring at CPR, the spiritual and the sensuous converge, as artists working with ghosts, sonic vibration, bodily vessels, and olfactory atmospherics gather to co-envision more pleasurable, resonant, and sustainable futures,” says Anna Muselmann, CPR Programs Manager. “Through rituals of grief and possession, liberatory writing practices, dark humor, and visceral group experiences, these radical artists challenge us to return to our playful and empathetic selves, and to protest disembodiment, loosen our individual will, and acknowledge our profound interdependence.”

read more

Brooklyn, NY— CPR – Center for Performance Research, is thrilled to announce the ten artists selected for the 2024 Artist-in-Residence Program. Now in its 13th year, this year-long residency supports New York City-based artists working within various perspectives of contemporary dance, performance, and time-based forms.

The CPR 2024 Artists-in-Residence are: Malcolm-x Betts, Leo Chang, GOODW.Y.N., Hans, Dorchel Haqq, Rebecca Patek, Alex Rodabaugh, Sarah Rothberg, Ariana Speight, and Anh Vo.

“The 2024 Artists-in-Residence are a dynamic group of artists whose work explores radical perspectives, aesthetics, and imaginations through movement, sound, humor, discomfort, ritual, and fantasy,” says CPR Executive Director, Alexandra Rosenberg.

read more

Brooklyn, NY— CPR – Center for Performance Research, which supports the development and incubation of new work in dance, performance, and time-based art, is pleased to announce its 2023 Fall Season of public programs and residencies. The season features performances, workshops, films, and installations with CPR Artists-in-Residence and an expansive network of artists, organizations, and guest curators.

“This fall at CPR, the divine and the deviant co-mingle, as artists working in tap, film, fermentation, sound, sculpture, archive, dance, and poetry move to interrupt, suspend, preserve, and refuse time” says Anna Muselmann, CPR Programs Manager. “Engaging practices such as deep listening, disobedience, unmetered temporality, and architectural explorations of love, these experimental artists invite us to reconsider personal, political, cultural, and spiritual archives in order to re-imagine and re-frame our visions of an uncertain future.”

read more

CPR – Center for Performance Research, which supports the development and incubation of new work in dance and performance, and time-based forms, is thrilled to announce its 2022 Spring Season of public programs and residencies. 

The 2022 Spring Season will have both in-person and virtual events, and features new work by current CPR Artists-in-Residence, including live performance installations by Star Mitchell and Doménica Garcia with Damariz Damken, and a virtual lecture-demonstration and workshop with Johnnie Cruise Mercer; the continuation of Spring Movement, part of CPR’s bi-annual festival of new work, guest curated by Pioneers Go East Collective; works-in-progress as part of Open Studios curated by ryen heart and CPR Programs Manager Regine Pieters; experiments and investigations in Performance Philosophy Reading Group, hosted by artists Jessie Young and ryen heart and Amanda Monti; the premiere of “THE YENTA SHOW! LIVE from BROOKLYN!”, a live talk show created by 2020-21 CPR Artist-in-Residence Stuart B Meyers; and co-presentations with ISSUE Project Room and its 2022 Artist-in-Residence Sydney Spann, and The Bushwick Starr’s annual Starr Reading Series.

read more

ART FRANKLY / 12.29.2021

Frank Talks: Alexandra Rosenberg – Executive Director of CPR – Center for Performance Research

Read an interview with Alexandra Rosenberg about her work in the arts and her career advice for arts professionals.

read more

CPR PRESS RELEASE / 09.30.2021

CPR – Center for Performance Research Announces 2022 Artists-in-Residence

CPR – Center for Performance Research is excited to announce the ten artists selected for its 2022 Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Program, following a competitive open call process, receiving nearly 200 applications, and selected by an independent panel of artists and community stakeholders.

The 2022 CPR Artists-in-Residence are Justin Cabrillos, Ayano Elson, Doménica García, ryen heart, Symara Johnson, Johnnie Cruise Mercer, Star Mitchell, Pioneers Go East Collective, Ogemdi Ude, and Jessie Young.

read more

CPR PRESS RELEASE / 09.09.2021

CPR – Center for Performance Research Announces 2021 Fall Season

CPR – Center for Performance Research, which supports the development of new work in contemporary dance and performance, is thrilled to announce its 2021 Fall Season of public programs and residencies. Holding both in-person and virtual events, CPR will open its doors in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for live, in-person performances for the first time since March 2020.

The 2021 Fall Season will feature new work in development by CPR 2021 Artists-in-Residence Lu Yim and Nami Yamamoto; a film exploring childhood memories and audio description by Christopher “Unpezverde” Núñez; a co-presentation with ISSUE Project Room; partnerships with Wendy’s Subway and FAILSPACE; provocations from JJJJJerome Ellis and benedict nguyễn in Performance Philosophy Reading Group; and programs revisited after being canceled in 2020, including an Open Studios curated by Tatyana Tenenbaum, and the return of CPR’s bi-annual festival Fall Movement.

read more 

Brooklyn, NY— CPR – Center for Performance Research is thrilled to announce the ten artists selected for its 2023 Artist-in-Residence Program. Now in its 12th year, this year-long residency supports artists working within various perspectives of contemporary dance, performance, and time-based forms.

The CPR 2023 Artists-in-Residence are: Benae Beamon, Krystal Collins, Beth Gill, Orlando Hernández, Eleanor Kipping, LILLETH, Raymond Pinto, Alex Romania, Oskar Sinclair, and x.

CPR invites applications for its Artists-in-Residence Program through an open call, which are reviewed by an independent selection panel composed of artists, curators, and community stakeholders, who bring a broad range of perspectives, aesthetics, and approaches to the process. CPR is grateful to this year’s selection panel – luciana achugar, J. Bouey, Paul Singh, and Sacha Yanow – for their commitment, care, and thoughtfulness in selecting the 2023 cohort. This year, the panel reviewed nearly 300 applications, an unprecedented 50% increase from the 200 applications that were received for the 2022 residency.

read more

Alex.jpg

BROADWAY WORLD / 11.04.2020

Center for Performance Research Announces New Executive Director

CPR - Center for Performance Research, which supports the development of new works in contemporary dance, performance, and related forms, welcomes Alexandra Rosenberg as its new Executive Director. Ms. Rosenberg joined the organization in mid-November following a competitive search and application process conducted by the Board of Directors. In her new role Ms. Rosenberg will lead all aspects of the organization and manage and oversee CPR's operations and programs.

read more

Performance Philosophy Reading Group. Photo by Kathryn Butler.

DANCE INFORMA / 08.01.2019

A closer look at CPR’s Performance Philosophy Reading Group

By Charly Santagado of Dance Informa

You might be thinking, performance and philosophy? How could these seemingly distant topics possibly have enough overlap to warrant a dedicated monthly reading group?

Dance Informa caught up with Charlotte Farrell, reading group monitor and director of the Center for Performance Research (CPR) based in Brooklyn, New York, to get the answer to this question and many more.

read more



Untitled design.png

CPR PRESS RELEASE / 05.06.2021

CPR – Center for Performance Research Honors CPR Artists-in-Residence, Past, Present, and Future at Virtual Spring Benefit on June 2

On Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 7:30 PM, Center for Performance Research will celebrate 10 years of its Artist-in-Residence program by honoring CPR Artists-in-Residence, Past, Present, and Future during a virtual Spring Benefit. Hosted by Stuart B Meyers, the celebratory evening will feature performances by Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener and Sacha Yanow, a participatory line dance by Emily Wexler, a song by Tatyana Tenenbaum, cocktails by jess pretty, astrological reading by Deborah Conton (Dee Spark Tarot), additional appearances by CPR resident artists past and present, and will conclude with a dance party with DJ Krunk Pony. Proceeds from the event will directly support continued residency and presentation support for dance and performance artists. 

read more

Nami Yamamoto in “Headless Wolf.” Photo courtesy of the artist.

DANCE ENTHUSIAST / 11.12.2019

Dance News: Center for Performance Research Announces 10 Artists-in-Residence For 2020

CPR – Center for Performance Research, which has supported more than 1700 artists in the development of dance and performance projects, is thrilled to announce its 2020 Artist-in-Residence: J. Bouey, mayfield brooks, cruz control collective, Parijat Desai, Stuart B. Meyers, Christopher Núñez, Londs Reuter, Cyrah Ward, Nami Yamamoto, and Lu Yim. These ten dance artists will receive 150 hours – an increase of 50 hours from previous years – of deeply subsidized rehearsal space, advance booking privileges, various performance and community engagement opportunities, and for the first time, artists will receive a $1000 stipend. CPR will welcome the 2020 AiRs in January, as CPR’s 2019 AiRs culminate their residencies at Sunday Salon on January 12, 2020.

read more

DANCE ENTHUSIAST / 08.28.2016

Center for Performance Research (CPR) Announces New Technical Development Residency

Center for Performance Research (CPR), an artist- driven organization co-founded by Jonah Bokaer & Chez Bushwick and John Jasperse & Thin Man Dance, Inc. to support the development of new works in contemporary dance, announced today its first ever fully supported technical residency offering artists access to a completely customizable performance space and laboratory.

CPRs 1,845 sq ft theater features a LED lighting system; making it one the most technically advanced venues of its size offering technical residencies within the five boroughs. The inaugural residency, generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, will support the work of artist collective The Median Movement comprised of choreographers Xan Burley and Alex Springer, sound designer Will Owen, movement artist Hsiao-Jou Tang, and lighting designer Andy Dickerson. The Median Movement will be in residence at CPR from May 1-7, 2016.

read more

In silence Malcolm-x Betts and Ella Dawn W-S lightly touch as they struggle to balance. Their bodies are close, and the shapes of their bodies, often with one leg in back attitude while slowly revolving, respond in like-shapes to the other. Except for the spot lit couple, the lighting at CPR – Center for Performance Research in Brooklyn, is dim. He, bare-chested, wears a bright orange Speedo, knee pads, long white socks, and sneakers (later to don a blue and white striped bathing suit), while she is dressed in black underwear, light-colored sports bra, a pad on her right knee, and sneakers. Thus begins Malcolm-x Betts’ multi-scene 60m work, what happens when things become undone? an improvisational duet on Blackness, abstraction, love and grief.

read more

Image courtesy Londs Reuter.

CPR PRESS RELEASE / 02.16.2021

CPR – Center for Performance Research Announces 2021 Spring Season

CPR – Center for Performance Research, which is dedicated to supporting artists in the development of new work in dance and performance, is thrilled to announce its 2021 Spring Season. The season features virtual and socially-distant performances; discussion; participatory dance party; film; physical and digital exhibitions; residencies; and new local and international partnerships.

read more

BROADWAY WORLD / 10.08.2019

Remi Harris Named New Programs Manager at Center for Performance Research

CPR – Center for Performance Research, which supports the development of new works in contemporary dance, performance and related forms, welcomes Remi Harris as its Programs Manager. Ms. Harris is a Barbados-born, Brooklyn-bred multidisciplinary artist and arts administrator, who brings to CPR experience in arts programming, performance making, and education. Her primary interest is in the intersectionality between dance, new media and black female representation. Ms. Harris has already made a significantly positive impact on CPR since starting in August 2019, launching the organization’s first ever open application process for its 2020 Artist-in-Residence program.

read more

THE NEW YORK TIMES / 03.07.2008

A (Green) Place for Dance and Performance to Bloom

By Gia Kourlas

Until John Jasperse laughs — the sound is a bit like a high-pitched machine gun, but friendly — it can be hard to know what he’s thinking. Tall, pale and serious, he stood in the middle of the Center for Performance Research in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, last month, scrutinizing a fresh coat of paint as if he were a scientist peering into a microscope. “It’s good,” he finally said, punctuating his approval with a contagious peal of laughter. “It’s turning into what we imagined it would be.”

In the impoverished world of contemporary dance the Center for Performance Research is practically palatial. A nonprofit collaboration between Mr. Jasperse’s Thin Man Dance and Jonah Bokaer’s Chez Bushwick, the new dance and performance space will be unveiled on Saturday night in a preopening performance and party called “Displacement @ Greenbelt.” The center is to open as rehearsal space in May.

read more

CPR – Center for Performance Research, which supports the development and incubation of new work in dance, performance, and time-based art, is pleased to announce its 2022 Fall Season of public programs and residencies. The season features new and in-process work by CPR Artists-in-Residence, and a wide range of artists, collectives, curators, and organizers.

“This fall at CPR, artists are slowing down to find greater intimacy with their practice,” says Alexandra Rosenberg, CPR’s Executive Director, “offering public investigations that prioritize stillness and exchange, and environments intended to be occupied for longer durations of time. Programs this season are conceived in response to calls for interrogation, investigation, imagination, and questioning, where CPR can collaborate with artists to create organic and open-ended formats to share their artistic process in an ever-evolving world.”

read more

Brooklyn, NY— CPR – Center for Performance Research, which supports the development and incubation of new work in dance, performance, and time-based art, is pleased to announce its 2023 Spring Season. The season features performances, workshops, discussion, installations, and exhibitions with CPR Artists-in-Residence and an expansive network of artists, collectives, organizations, and guest curators.

“This spring at CPR, multimedia and multisensory artists are experimenting with relationships between sound, the body, and language/text/writing, acknowledging their inevitable subjection to translation, and surrendering to the grief and loss that accompany transformation,” says Anna Muselmann, CPR Programs Manager. “This season’s constellation of programs explores queer intimacies, sonic meditations, healing rituals, and group sculptural events, capturing an emergent longing for intimate community and collective resilience.”

read more