Staff Picks No. 151
Idiot Void : David Commander, Rob Ramirez, Blaze Ferrer, Immediate Medium
The Collapsable Hole
June 14th-27th 2026
David Commander makes epic, challenging, fleshy works of puppet theater like no one else. I caught his maddening, intense FEAR IN THE WESTERN WORLD back at Exponential Festival 2020 (which was also, hilariously, my first or second Expo? I think?) and have sought out another experiment in similar madness. And now there is one for a few nights at the Collapsable Hole!
Staffer: Reuven Glezer
David Commander is one of those artists who fall into the “I will 100% buy tickets immediately when he is doing a show” category. I remember seeing something he did at Dixon Place in 2013 and it rolled my brain over into a new placement in my skull. That is the highest praise I can give, as I love being surprised and I despise having a pleasant time “getting it”. See you in the Hole!
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
Camping : Colt Coeur, Victoria Lynne Barclay, Adrienne Campbell-Holt, Alice Kremelberg, Colby Minifie, Krit Robinson, Sarita P. Fellows, Vittoria Orlando, Salvador Zamora, Thomas Jenkeleit, Sophie larin/LJPM, Caren Celine Morris, Deletris Bryant, Destiny Lilly, Talya Braverman, Maya L SmooT, Heather Cohn
HERE Arts
June 13th-July 11th 2026
Colt Coeur has a solid track record for capital-N New plays which is sorely needed in what feels like a collapsing theatrical ecosystem. In this case, it’s two girls-three decades-one tent and all the time that bears down on you. I’m down!
Staffer: Reuven Glezer
An Iliad : Stacey Manos , Hannah Sheridan
Gallery 198
Thursday June 11th 2026
A classic never dies! But this one comes to an intriguing new home, Gallery 198 around Industry City. And, this Iliad reimagines Homer’s epic through the eyes of The Poet — a women-led company partners with a space that supports emerging artists, go check it out.
Staffer: Billy McEntee
Sugar Sugar! : Sun, East River, Wind, People
Domino Park
June 3rd-24th 2026
Heavenly when great curators bring together great artists for an evening of unruly mania. As a critic, it is the intriguing art that most challenges and inspires my writing, so I'm grateful that Sugar Sugar gave me that opportunity. Selfishly, I'll reshare that writing cause I've done the work before, and otherwise I'd just say get thee to Domino Park for free festivities: https://brooklynrail.org/2025/06/theater/sugar-sugar-clown-car-jane-jacobs-june-4-at-domino-square/
Staffer: Billy McEntee
SQUIRTS : Paris Alexander, Buffy Sierra, Chiquitita, Lady Bunny, RuAfza, LaWhore Vagistan, Bijli, Mei Ann Teo, Deeplai Zeer
La MaMa
June 4th-7th 2026
Curated by Paris Alexander and produced by Buffy Sierra—two supernovas of the nightlife performance world—this year’s SQUIRTS takes place in a “reflective, silvery chrome world referred to as the Memory Palace.” Tantalizing! This 13th edition of the annual festival will also include a tribute to Diana ZaZa Oh and Agosto Machado.
Staffer: Leah Plante-Wiener
This will be a really spectacular, sweet, wild, beautiful weekend. 13th edition! My how time keeps timing. If you are looking for something to do this weekend, you must get into SQUIRTS. And always hold ZaZa and Agosto in our hearts and vibes.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
Fall of the City : Nile Harris, Crackhead Barney, Jess Barbagallo, Mayfield Brooks, Jim Fletcher, Tony Jenkins, Joel Watson, Geng PTP
Park Avenue Armory
Saturday June 6th 2026
NILE HARRIS AUDIO BASED EXPERIENCE <3 YIPPEE <3
Staffer: Leah Plante-Wiener
Criminal Queerness Festival : National Queer Theater, LOUR, Osh Ashruf, Bazeed, Shadi Ghaheri, E. Zaalan, Tallie Medel, Natasha Mercado
HERE Arts
June 9th-27th 2026
NQR’s flagship festival of works by queer writers from nations where queerness is still criminalized returns to HERE with three new works. In these dark times, a light in the form of some of our best writers putting pen-and-sword to paper.
Staffer: Reuven Glezer
Big Feelings : Ryan Drake, Sammy Ziesel, Julia Greer, Most Unwanted Productions (Connor Scully)
The Cell
June 29th-July 23rd 2026
Most Unwanted is one of my favorite independent producers and they always bring shows with unique verve, aesthetic, energy and form - this time, a 1st grade classroom for an intimate audience on the last day of class (perfect timing tbh). Stunning writer-director combo, excellent performer aboard, much excitement.
Staffer: Reuven Glezer
Gilgamesh: Fragments of a Megalithic Puppet Opera : Megafawn Collective
Future Space
June 4th-6th 2026
You may have seen a mysterious puppeteer do full-scale works on the G train this May....these have all been leading up to a performance reciting the epic of Gilgamesh with an eye towards the ecological crises of our times.....go forth.
Staffer: Reuven Glezer
Shiloh’s Birthday Show : 5 minute walk (Shiloh Blue & Remi Brewer), Marcie F., Orchid McRae, Marija Kovačević, Georges Mefleh, Aliya Ultan
Brothers Wash & Dry
Tuesday June 9th 2026
It’s Shiloh Blue’s birthday, and she’s treating us to a fire lineup of artists whose work I already love (Remi! Georges! Aliya! Shiloh herself!) and artists I am beyond excited to encounter IRL for the first time. Join me in Maspeth to celebrate one of our most thrilling noise musicians, sound artists, and installationists, whose daredevil embrace of chaos and abrasion has left quite the mark on my own career.
Staffer: Leah Plante-Wiener
Faccia Brutta, Half Decayed, Tie Die, Dont Smile At Me, Concetta
Fringe Records
Saturday June 13th 2026
This lineup is soooo hot and absolutely what I’d recommend to anyone looking to get into noise. Ricky Guarnieri Wood’s (Dont Smile At Me) birthday show includes Nonstop Noise Fest organizer Tie Die, Faccia Brutta, seen at said festival performing with a concrete block, and Half Decayed, whom I am quickly becoming a big fan of.
Staffer: Leah Plante-Wiener
Sugar Sugar! Program B : Isa Spector, Julia Antinozzi
Domino Park
June 10th-11th 2026
The first week of Sugar Sugar! was absolutely magical. Week 2 has a whole new program featuring two creative leads who are trying new things and shaping their art to the outdoor space, under the sun, stars and Williamsburg Bridge. Isa is using The Bacchae as a jumping-off point, soooooo let’s see what happens! I am ready for anything.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister