Every fall the
When is it?
BAM Next Wave 2019 takes place October 15–December 15.
Peter Jay Sharp Building. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Where is it?
The campus of the Brooklyn Academy of Music. To get there, take the C subway line to Lafayette Avenue or the G to Fulton Street. BAM is also a short walk away from Atlantic Terminal, which includes stops for the Long Island Railroad and the 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q and R subway lines.
Howard Gilman Opera House. Courtesy, BAM
What is BAM?
The
Swan Lake/Loch na hEala. Photo: Marie Laure Briane
Which shows should I see this year?
October 15–20
Harvey Theater
The festival kicks off with a new version of a classic ballet from Dublin’s Teac Damsa. Using a mix of Irish and Nordic folk music, the company’s artistic director, Michael Keegan-Doyle, deconstructs the dance with elements of darkness and whimsy in this gorgeous production.
What if they went to Moscow. Photo: Melina Abreu
October 23–27
BAM Fisher/Rose Cinemas
This experimental production, directed by Brazil’s Christiane Jatahy, asks audiences to watch the same play twice—once live in a theater (the Fisher) and once onscreen (at the Rose) in an HD simulcast.
The Great Tamer. Courtesy, Julian Mommert
November 14–17
Howard Gilman Opera House
This striking dance piece from Greek choreographer Dimitris Papaioannou (who worked on the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympics) takes place on an undulating stage. It’s set to the familiar strains of Strauss’ Blue Danube waltz—but the music is about the only thing that’s familiar in this riveting, sometimes-macabre meditation on human existence.
The End of Eddy. Photo: Tommy Ga Ken Wan
November 14–21
BAM Fisher
Based on Édouard Louis’ groundbreaking 2014 novel, this play is about a boy growing up gay in a rough working-class town. Directed by Stewart Laing, associate head of the National Theatre of Scotland, the show takes an unsparing look at coming-of-age in contemporary France.
32 Rue Vandenbranden. Photo: Herman Sorgeloos
November 20–23
Harvey Theater
This contemporary dance piece, which won an Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production in 2015, follows the unusual residents of a trailer park. The work comes from Belgium’s Peeping Tom collective and features musical accompaniment that ranges from classical to K-pop.
Barber Shop Chronicles. Photo: Marc Brenner
December 3–8
Harvey Theater
Inua Ellams is a Nigerian playwright, whose celebrated show looks at barber shop culture in six cities around the world. A New York premiere of an international hit, the play looks at the friendships formed in these gathering places and the sense of community they create.
In Many Hands. Photo: Dirk Rose
December 11–15
BAM Fisher
This unusual production dispenses with traditional notions of audience and performer as New Zealand–born artist Kate McIntosh creates a communal exploration of the senses with a group of strangers. The touch-based experience promises to be a revelation and a unique social gathering without words.
Photo: Magnus Hastings
December 12–14
Harvey Theater
Next Wave wraps on a festive note with a postmodern take on the Christmas show. London cabaret sensation Meow Meow brings some funky joy (and crowd-surfing) to the holiday season with her very interactive performance—so if you’re close to the stage, be prepared to participate.
Race Cards. Photo: Manuel Darcmedia 15
What else is happening at Next Wave?
In addition to the shows, there are free art installations during the festival’s two-month run; these include Selina Thompson’s
For more details on everything that’s happening at BAM’s fall festival, view the