OPEN LAB | GODBODY: Ritual Participation with Diovanna Obafunmilayo

An interactive presentation that explores how an authentically ritualistic environment might be fostered in a theatre setting. Fall 2026 Randall Bourscheidt Technical Resident Diovanna Obafunmilayo presents participatory excerpts from her new work in development GODBODY, experimenting with how light and audience interaction can be further incorporated into the work. Fusing elements of Hip Hop culture, Afro-cuban and Yoruba religious ceremony, queer joy, live painting, comedy, and poetry, this interactive presentation will investigate questions such as: • How is an authentically ritualistic environment fostered in a theatre setting? • What does an audience need to be sufficiently educated on how to be in this ritual? • How do rituals that are initiatory, and thus exclusionary to the general public, include a public audience, and what are the implications of this framework? The full production of GODBODY will be staged in Boston at The Theater Offensive from November 12-14, 2026. The Fall 2026 Technical Residency is named in honor of CPR’s board member emeritus Randall Bourscheidt. Through naming this residency in his honor, we celebrate his lifelong dedication to the arts and continue his work as a champion of experimental performance. ABOUT THE ARTIST Diovanna Obafunmilayo Frazier is a multimedia performance artist, Grammy-nominated songwriter, award-winning filmmaker, and poet. OPEN LAB is a series that encompasses theoretical and practical discussions, movement research, and workshops open to the public that invite practice-based inquiry and creative exchange of ideas.