About this Event
A Conversation on Performance History and the [Disabled] People Upon Whom It Was Built
Join a disability historian, dramaturg, and performer for How Freak Shows Built Broadway, an exploration of performance entertainment ranging from the freak shows of ancient times to circuses, vaudeville, film, and Broadway through a lens of disparate bodies. We’ll explore the complicated nuances of how we present and look at people that we deem as “different” in a performance space and the history of how modern entertainment came to be.
*Academic note - “disability” in this specific context isn’t exclusive to the group we see as “disabled” today that’s largely related to physical and mental impairment. Historically this group was somewhat merged with that of queer/trans people and people of color in a performance context, so this talk will be about them as well.
What We'll Cover:
• Ancient and medieval freak shows - Explore early spectacles and performance traditions that displayed people considered unusual, and examine how these practices reflected the social attitudes of their time.
• The birth of the modern leisure industry - Discover how circuses, museums, and carnivals transformed public entertainment and created new spaces for displaying, observing, and commercializing human differences.
• Disability on and off the stage - Trace the rise and fall of vaudeville, the influence of early film and censorship, and the evolving representation of disability and marginalized identities in modern entertainment.
Whether you’re into theater, film, disability, or simply curious about how modern entertainment came to be, on the backs of the minority people you rarely hear about in history, you’ll leave with a different outlook on where your media comes from and how we view disabled people of the past.
Don’t miss this chance to connect with your After5Society.
About The Speaker:
Sydney Zarlengo (they/them) is a disability historian, dramaturg, and actor in the world of theater, film, and tv in New York City. They received their BA from Mount Holyoke College where they created some of the first guidelines for accessible design in performing arts curriculum for secondary and higher education, after which they gave professional trainings at arts programs around the country. As part of this work, they staged the first all-neurodivergent cast and crew production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and made its subsequent documentary. Sydney has since worked as a dramaturg and historian for new works and adaptations Off Broadway, developed an accessibility program at Signature Theatre, and creates educational content about disability, pseudoscience, history, and media literacy that has reached over 1.3 million views across platforms.
Good to know before you come:
- Exact bar location will be disclosed in your confirmation email
- Arrive early to grab a drink and get settled
- The speaker portion lasts 1 hour, with optional time to stay and socialize afterward
- This is a participatory event
- Seating is limited to keep the experience intimate
Agenda
🕑: 06:30 PM - 07:00 PM
Doors Open & Drinks Flow
Info: Arrive early to grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy the atmosphere. Early birds get the best seats and a head start on mingling!
🕑: 07:00 PM - 07:45 PM
Guided Experience / Talk
Info: Dive into an engaging, interactive session with our speaker. Participate, observe, or simply soak it all in — it’s your experience to enjoy.
🕑: 07:45 PM - 08:00 PM
Q&A / Reflection
Info: Ask questions, share insights, or hear behind-the-scenes stories from the host in a casual discussion.
🕑: 08:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Social Time & Connection
Info: Stick around to chat with fellow attendees, swap ideas, or just relax with a drink. Great conversations often happen after the main event!
Event venue & nearby stays
TBA (address found in email confirmation), Address found in email confirmation, New York, United States
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