Philip Santos Schaffer
Philip Santos Schaffer (they/he) is a playmaker creating interactive performances in intimate and unconventional settings. Philip’s work has been seen in bathtubs across the country, listened to over the phone, and found in a series of living rooms (as well as appearing in more traditional spaces). Philip’s work deals with politics, pop culture, intimacy and empathy through participation, humor, music, and more. Philip has a BFA in Directing from Hofstra University and an MFA in Dramaturgy from Columbia University. Philip is 1/5 of the creative team behind WalkUpArts, which they co-founded in 2015. (Image courtesy of the artist)
Website: www.philipsantosschaffer.com
PERFORMANCE PROJECT:
i love the way you say goodbye will be a celebration of mourning, grief, and letting go. Here is what I know so far:
- My process is always grounded in learning about other people. I would like to begin this project by developing a framework for a series of interviews. I am interested in talking to a multitude of people about the ways that they grieve. In particular, I hope to learn about their personal rituals for mourning, saying goodbye, and letting go.
- These conversations will lead to a large, public festival of mourning. This festival may include re-enactments, show and tell, and opportunities to teach and learn.
- The documentation of these conversations and of this public event will be made available as a physical document – a collaboratively collected manual of mourning.
I would like for this process to be celebratory, and full of joy. While grief will be the topic, I want the focus to be on celebrating the beauty of different ways of mourning, the reality that all people develop their own practices for letting go, and the incredible capacity humans have for holding these emotions.
