Black Performance Theory 2026: Conversations

SLIPPAGE: Performance | Culture | Technology

Northwestern professors and their invitee tussle together over synergies, methodological approaches, and emerging ideas in Black thought

Northwestern University - SLIPPAGE Lab

Black Performance Theory: Conversations Spring 2026April 9-10, 2026; April 30-May 1, 2026SLIPPAGE Lab | 1877 Campus Drive, Room 226, EvanstonThe ambition of the Black Performance Theory working group is modeled in these series of conversations with Northwestern professors and the scholars of their choice from institutions across the United States. Each pair arrives with a pressing interest surrounding Black performance to be examined live in front of audience witnesses. Join us for one or all of these events (virtual option will be available). Co-sponsored by Alice Kaplan Institute for the Humanities and the Dance Program. <a href="https://sites.northwestern.edu/slippagelab/project/black-performance-theory-2026/" title="https://sites.northwestern.edu/slippagelab/project/black-performance-theory-2026/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a>.Thu, Apr 9, 2026 | 5:30–7:00 PM <a href="https://communication.northwestern.edu/faculty/melissa-blanco-borelli.html" title="https://communication.northwestern.edu/faculty/melissa-blanco-borelli.html" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Melissa Blanco Borelli, Associate Professor of Theatre and Director of the Dance Program</a>, in opening conversation with <a href="https://www.tgs.northwestern.edu/about/our-people/staff/miriam-petty.html" title="https://www.tgs.northwestern.edu/about/our-people/staff/miriam-petty.html" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Miriam Petty, Associate Professor and Screen Cultures Director of Graduate Studies</a> at Northwestern UniversityFri, Apr 10, 2026 | 12:30–2:00 PM <a href="https://communication.northwestern.edu/faculty/bimbola-akinbola.html" title="https://communication.northwestern.edu/faculty/bimbola-akinbola.html" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Bimbola Akinbola, </a>Assistant Professor of Performance Studies, in conversation with <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://lsa.umich.edu/ac/people/faculty/walkerjk.html__;!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!RURaFEuM0GrDwNaXrVk0B4LaL00NY1w431FXjdO1EFP3KZ4-Hapxu_J5VB7ZRLdDUizINt_v4i7HgkeC5E8CEhgXo-EiVtFn$" title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://lsa.umich.edu/ac/people/faculty/walkerjk.html__;!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!RURaFEuM0GrDwNaXrVk0B4LaL00NY1w431FXjdO1EFP3KZ4-Hapxu_J5VB7ZRLdDUizINt_v4i7HgkeC5E8CEhgXo-EiVtFn$" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Jessica Kenyatta Walker</a>, Assistant Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies, American Culture at the University of MichiganFri, Apr 10, 2026 | 3:00–4:30 PM <a href="https://communication.northwestern.edu/faculty/danielle-bainbridge.html" title="https://communication.northwestern.edu/faculty/danielle-bainbridge.html" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Danielle Bainbridge</a>, Assistant Professor of Theatre, in conversation with <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://arts.princeton.edu/people/profiles/rw1384/__;!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!RURaFEuM0GrDwNaXrVk0B4LaL00NY1w431FXjdO1EFP3KZ4-Hapxu_J5VB7ZRLdDUizINt_v4i7HgkeC5E8CEhgXo2Ghk_yq$" title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://arts.princeton.edu/people/profiles/rw1384/__;!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!RURaFEuM0GrDwNaXrVk0B4LaL00NY1w431FXjdO1EFP3KZ4-Hapxu_J5VB7ZRLdDUizINt_v4i7HgkeC5E8CEhgXo2Ghk_yq$" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Rhaisa Williams</a>, Assistant Professor of Theatre at Princeton UniversityThu, Apr 30, 2026 | 5:30–7:00 PM <a href="https://communication.northwestern.edu/faculty/henry-castillo.html" title="https://communication.northwestern.edu/faculty/henry-castillo.html" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Henry Castillo, </a>Assistant Professor of Theatre, conversation with <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://tisch.nyu.edu/about/directory/app/420997609.html__;!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!RURaFEuM0GrDwNaXrVk0B4LaL00NY1w431FXjdO1EFP3KZ4-Hapxu_J5VB7ZRLdDUizINt_v4i7HgkeC5E8CEhgXo4NAvmwR$" title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://tisch.nyu.edu/about/directory/app/420997609.html__;!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!RURaFEuM0GrDwNaXrVk0B4LaL00NY1w431FXjdO1EFP3KZ4-Hapxu_J5VB7ZRLdDUizINt_v4i7HgkeC5E8CEhgXo4NAvmwR$" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Luis C. Rincón Alba</a>, Assistant Professor, Art and Public Policy, NYUFri, May 1, 2026 | 12:30–2:00 PM <a href="https://communication.northwestern.edu/faculty/cristal-chanelle-truscott.html" title="https://communication.northwestern.edu/faculty/cristal-chanelle-truscott.html" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Cristal Chanelle Truscott</a>, Associate Professor, Theatre, in conversation with <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://womensstudies.unc.edu/person/shields-tanya/__;!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!RURaFEuM0GrDwNaXrVk0B4LaL00NY1w431FXjdO1EFP3KZ4-Hapxu_J5VB7ZRLdDUizINt_v4i7HgkeC5E8CEhgXo579Fd6i$" title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://womensstudies.unc.edu/person/shields-tanya/__;!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!RURaFEuM0GrDwNaXrVk0B4LaL00NY1w431FXjdO1EFP3KZ4-Hapxu_J5VB7ZRLdDUizINt_v4i7HgkeC5E8CEhgXo579Fd6i$" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dr. Tanya L. Shields</a>, Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies for Women and Gender Studies, UNC-Chapel HillFri, May 1, 2026 | 3:00–4:30 PM <a href="https://communication.northwestern.edu/faculty/thomas-f-defrantz.html" title="https://communication.northwestern.edu/faculty/thomas-f-defrantz.html" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Thomas F. DeFrantz,</a> Professor of Theatre, in closing conversation with <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://vivo.brown.edu/display/kquashi1__;!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!RURaFEuM0GrDwNaXrVk0B4LaL00NY1w431FXjdO1EFP3KZ4-Hapxu_J5VB7ZRLdDUizINt_v4i7HgkeC5E8CEhgXo8cdOxla$" title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://vivo.brown.edu/display/kquashi1__;!!Dq0X2DkFhyF93HkjWTBQKhk!RURaFEuM0GrDwNaXrVk0B4LaL00NY1w431FXjdO1EFP3KZ4-Hapxu_J5VB7ZRLdDUizINt_v4i7HgkeC5E8CEhgXo8cdOxla$" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Kevin E. Quashie</a>, Professor of English, Brown University

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}

Black Performance Theory 2026: Conversations

More events from SLIPPAGE: Performance | Culture | Technology

Discover more events from SLIPPAGE: Performance | Culture | Technology, from Arts to other experiences you might love.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Evanston and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.

Black Performance Theory 2026: Conversations

More events from SLIPPAGE: Performance | Culture | Technology

Discover more events from SLIPPAGE: Performance | Culture | Technology, from Arts to other experiences you might love.

You might also like...

Browse more events with different dates, prices, and formats to find your next great experience.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Evanston and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.