Artist Statement
Photo by Cynthia Silverstein.
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I make theater, film, and opera about cataclysmic things like love, politics, genocide, the climate crisis, disease, and disability. Texts and choreography emerge from historical documents, family stories, scientific research, improvisations, and late-night conversations. Sites for my projects vary from concert halls to minivans, computer screens to sculpture gardens.
Story and shared experience become the vehicle for gathering together and fostering connection, exchange, transformation, and healing. Access and belonging are as crucial as honesty and humor. Often putting people in direct contact with the resources they need, my work is co-created with communities and audiences, illuminating complex perspectives and inviting everyone present to take action toward a more just and equitable, accessible society.
Biography
Diana Wyenn lives and works in Los Angeles. Wyenn creates theater, opera, and film that rigorously explore trauma and healing, and advocating for equity and environmental and disability justice. Recent work includes Blood/Sugar, an award-winning autobiographical performance that illuminates, embodies, and challenges the global diabetes crisis, and Kristina Wong for Public Office, a critically acclaimed, raucous performance-art campaign/rally co-devised with performance artist Kristina Wong that calls for sustained civic engagement. Wyenn’s work has been presented at performing arts centers and universities across the United States and is supported by the National Arts and Disability Center, Center for Cultural Innovation, and California Arts Council.
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She has directed and choreographed projects for the LA Phil, National Sawdust, Beth Morrison Projects, The Walt Disney Company, Skirball Cultural Center, SummerStage, Grand Performances, Pomona College, Occidental College, and many more; received new work commissions from The Women’s Building, American Jewish University, and T1International; and been featured in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, American Theatre Magazine, Daily Beast, and Fast Company, and on NPR. Wyenn earned a BFA in Drama from New York University, is an associate member of SDC, and co-founded Plain Wood Productions.
Photos
You are free to use these photos digitally with our and the photographer’s permission as long as you include the photographer’s credit and send a link via email to where they are being used.
Photo by Cinthya Silverstein.
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