STREET PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP

Hi, I'm Diego de Los Andes, a multidimensional artist. For the past six years, I’ve been developing a unique street performance act in the heart of Los Angeles. My journey has involved juggling and clowning at city crosswalks, bringing a performance style rooted in Latin American traditions to the U.S. Interestingly enough, I had never performed in the streets like this before coming to LA.

Before settling here, I performed in London at iconic spots like Trafalgar Square, sharing poetry and theatrical acts. But it was in LA that I embraced juggling and clowning, and began honing these skills on the streets. Even during the pandemic, when many performers struggled to find work, I stayed outside, sharing art with people who needed it, often for free.

In this workshop, I want to inspire you to pursue a creative utopia—where we, as artists, don't rely on grants or producers to keep our work alive. Yes, we all hope for funding, but I’ll show you how to create art without needing it and still get paid by your audience.

When NFTs emerged, many believed they would democratize art, but over time, we’ve realized that wasn’t entirely true. Street performance, however, has thrived for generations. In a world where marketing seems more important than silence for an artist, I believe now is the time to reclaim the freedom of this art form.

About me

I’m an actor, writer, and director from Chile who studied acting with an emphasis on the works and techniques of Stanislavsky, Brecht, Meyerhold, and Meisner. As a workshop instructor, I have led community theater workshops and am also trained in Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed, where I’ve conducted workshops with artists and activists involved in rent strikes.

In recent years, I became an associate of The Actors' Gang, where I've been learning the Commedia dell'arte technique through their unique style. I’ve also attended workshops with John Achorn from Dell'Arte International. Recently, I led a juggling workshop at public libraries for Center Theatre Group and received a master class from a company member of The 7 Fingers.

I'm happy to help workshop participants develop acts that can be performed in public spaces. If you have an idea, please feel free to contact me after RSVPing. I’m here to help, as I’d love to see a world with more art in public spaces!

Host or Publisher Diego de Los Andes @ddla.art