AUSTIN, AS FAR AS WE KNOW, THE PERFORMANCE CLUB
HAS NOT BEEN REALIZED ANYWHERE ELSE!
The Performance Club operates on the belief that live performance is a catalyst for audiences and performers. By providing time for audiences to witness a live performance and immediately process the performance individually, in their own way—through writing, drawing, dancing, resting, meditating, etc.—unforeseen insights arise. The Performance Club is not about critique, and no one imposes their exploration on anyone else. It is a community experiment that provides audiences and performers the opportunity to notice how they influence and inspire one another.
HOW PERFORMANCE CLUB WORKS
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Performance Club is a timed, 1-hour event running for 5 consecutive evenings the third week (Sunday through Thursday) of each month, October 2027-May 2027. *please note that our December Holiday performances will be the second week from December 13-17, 2026.
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The live performance lasts 15 - 30 minutes, and the audience response period is 45 – 30 minutes, filling the remaining portion of the hour-long event.
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An artist(s) practices/performs for 5 consecutive evenings. Each month, a new artist(s) work is presented.
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Audience response periods are a time for members to engage in silent, individual reflection using personally relevant mediums: meditation, drawing, writing, dancing, moving, resting, etc. This is the defining feature of the Performance Club: To provide audience members with the space and time to explore how the performance can be a catalyst for thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Outstanding is the absence of verbal exchange throughout, like being in a library.
WHEN
The PC takes place the third week (Sunday thru Thursday) of each month, October 2026 thru May 2027.
*Please note that our December's Holiday performances will be the second week from December 13-17, 2026.
TIME
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Each session: 7:00–8:00 PM
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15–30 min artist(s) presentation
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30-45 min audience response time (writing, drawing, movement, reflection)
WHERE
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Charles Johnson House
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404 Atlanta Street, Austin, TX, 78703
MEMBERSHIP
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Join the club! Sliding scale $25 -$80 for membership, October 2026 - May 2027.
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All Performance Club members are invited to attend one or more or all of an artist’s 5-night run. Members may invite a friend who may otherwise not be exposed to this opportunity.
PERFORMERS
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Present a work in progress, excerpt, or fully realized piece, for 5 consecutive evenings.
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Become a member and fill out Part 2 of the registration form, first-served
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Choose your month, October through May as well as an alternative month.
GOALS
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To create a new relationship between performance, audience, and performer
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To explore how audiences and performers can influence and inspire one another
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To provide a framework for audiences to discover the impact of a performance in their own way, on their own time
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To provide a framework for performers to practice the art of performance
WHAT YOU CANNOT EXPECT
● Snacks
● Talkbacks or lectures
● Feedback forms
● Valet parking (we wish)
● A trophy for “best audience member”
● To stay the same
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
We are committed to making all performances accessible. Please get in touch with us if you need any specific accessibility.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Members interested in getting more involved can volunteer to help performing artists with club events. Please reach out to Amy Morrow (amy@performanceclub.org) for more information.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Amy Morrow (amy@performanceclub.org) is available to assist artists with administrative help, questions, and updates.
*Photos courtesy of 2025 Performance Club artists: Allysen Hooks, Amy Chiao, Elizabeth Doss, Emily Vorspan, Fusebox Festival, Hannah Spector, Katherine Vaughn, Leah Cox, Sowmya Somanath, Thomas Graves, Tim Mateer, and photographers Bill McCullough and Walter Nichols.