January 15–May 16, 2026
220 E Chicago Ave
60611 Chicago IL
Hours: Tuesday 10am–9pm
Wednesday–Sunday 10am–5pm
On the precipice of its 60th anniversary, and with a newly established endowment to support the commissioning, collection, archiving, and expansion of performance programs within the Edlis Neeson Theater and throughout the museum’s galleries, the MCA is reaffirming its commitment to live performance as an important part of its institutional identity.
The 2026 On Stage series presents a collection of works that present opportunities to examine the elements of live performance itself. The four artists in this series express urgency by creating intimacy with audiences, either by addressing audiences directly, drawing them in as co-participants in collective experiences or rituals, or bringing them into close physical proximity: Alex Tatarsky, Nacera Belaza, Leslie Cuyjet, and Kimberly Bartosik.
In a political moment of continued division, audiences are invited to embrace opportunities to come close to live performance, get intimate, and break down the boundaries of separation across difference.
This season of On Stage is organized by Director of Performance and Public Programs, Moira Brennan, and Assistant Curator of Performance and Public Programs, Laura Paige Kyber.
Alex Tatarsky, Sad Boys in Harpy Land: January 15–17
Nacera Belaza, La Nuée: February 27–March 1
Leslie Cuyjet, For All Your Life: April 23–25
Kimberly Bartosik/daela, bLUr: May 15–16
