performance

rent-a-negro.com ©
a web site where people can rent a "pleasing black person" for their personal and corporate events. view

 

 

living flag
ayo panhandles for reparations on the streets of various cities. view

 

 

 

 

 

The first annual
National Day of Panhandling for Reparations
October 10, 2007
"It was panhandling, it was performance art - and it was a political statement about the legacy of slavery and reparations for black people."
- The Associated Press

 

 

 

 

 

scrapbook
during the summer of 2005 damali took 125 photos with various people across the country. participants stood in front of their choice of banner reading "my new black friend" or "for rent." view  for rent scrapbook   new black friend scrapbook

 

 

 

 

 

tow
tow is an exploration of intimate relationships, power and torture. it is inspired by antonin artaud's theatre of cruelty and employs video, movement and a favorite monologue on love by janis joplin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

american/girl
a one-woman stage performance examining the issues of race, the cost of citizenship, freedom and americanism, through the mechanisms of comics, sales, superheros and the struggle to find one's inner patriot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

cut piece
a revival/tribute of a favorite fluxus work by yoko ono. performed at fluxconcert pdx, liminal performance group.

 

 

 

touch this
an exploration of media stereotypes of black performance and damali as a "body of art."

miss the girl
a playful, physical and intellectual look at sexism/gender dynamics relationship and the stage. written and performed with james moore.

take it off
a companion to the little black dress project detailing how women's reality can be hidden behind societal expectations.

defunkt theatre
in 2000 ayo co-founded defunkt theatre. During her time as a company member (2000-2004) damali worked as an actor, assistant director, dramaturg and won 2 drammy awards for outstanding set design.

women's prison project
a program that placed university volunteers in the rhode island correctional facility. the group utilized theatre exercises to explore issues such as identity, family, and incarceration, as well as give the women a break from their daily routines.