Bryan Fernández
2024 Loisaida Artist in Residence
Overview
Bryan Fernández, a dynamic comedian and performer with a rich background in mime, clowning, and physical comedy, proposes the creation of a Street Theater Performing Company and Training School.
This initiative aims to provide free and accessible classes and workshops to the community, particularly focusing on empowering inner-city youth, young adults of color impacted by the justice system, and other underprivileged individuals in the Lower East Side of Manhattan’s Loisaida neighborhood.
Register For Introductory Mime ClassObjectives
- Create a Street Theater Performing Company: Establish a performing group that stages regular street theater performances, incorporating diverse comedic and physical theater techniques.
- Develop a Training School: Offer comprehensive training in street theater, mime, clowning, and physical comedy through a series of workshops and classes.
- Empower Community Members: Engage inner-city youth and young adults of color, providing them with a platform to express themselves creatively and develop their artistic skills.
- Promote Inclusivity and Accessibility: Ensure that all classes and workshops are free and open to the public, with a focus on making the arts accessible to underprivileged individuals.
- Foster Community Engagement: Encourage participants to define their own terms of engagement and contribute to the evolution of the program through periodic workshops and feedback sessions.
Expected Outcomes
- Skill Development: Participants will gain valuable skills in street theater, mime, clowning, and physical comedy.
- Community Empowerment: Empowered community members will have a platform to express themselves creatively and build confidence.
- Increased Engagement: Enhanced engagement of inner-city youth and young adults of color in the arts.
- Cultural Enrichment: Enrich the cultural landscape of the Lower East Side through regular street theater performances.
- Sustainable Program: Establish a sustainable performing company and training school that continues to benefit the community beyond the residency period.
Conclusion: Bryan Fernández’s proposal for creating a Street Theater Performing Company and Training School aligns with the goals of the Loisaida Artistic Residency Program by fostering artistic innovation, community engagement, and inclusivity. This initiative will not only provide valuable training and performance opportunities but also serve as a vital support system for underprivileged individuals, ultimately enriching the cultural fabric of the Loisaida neighborhood.
About Bryan
Bryan Fernández, a native New Yorker, was born in Queens to an Ecuadorian mother and a Dominican father. From an early age, he has been fascinated by new worlds and absurd realities. Initially passionate about cartooning, his path took an unexpected turn in high school. While pitching a comic book series to a Marvel illustrator, he found himself getting his first audience laugh during a performance, setting him on a new comedic journey.
Since then, Bryan has embraced a vibrant career in comedy, earning titles such as American Mime, NY Goof, Physical Comedy Lab Technician, and a graduate of the Nouveau Clown Institute. He is also a Flowjuggle Ambassador and a spokesperson for the Idiot’s Hour Show (formerly known as The Other Side of Comedy). Bryan’s performances span across NYC, appearing in comedy clubs, bars, party venues, parks, streets, and even trains. His comedic talents have also taken him to international stages in Barcelona and Costa Rica.
In February 2023, Bryan produced his first headlining show, captivating audiences for nearly two and a half hours. By December 2023, he had created a new show that introduced a unique blend of circus, comedy, and performance art to Queens, showcasing the talents of his close colleagues and friends. Bryan Fernández continues to enchant audiences with his innovative and dynamic performances, making his mark on the comedic landscape.