[Image description: a dancer with light skin and long dark hair throws her arms and torso out laterally from a squatted position, in a type of arch. She is wearing long dark pants and a dark long-sleeved top. Overlaid over this photo white text says “12 MINUTES MAX/Photo of Samantha Fabrikant by Jim Coleman”.]

2023-2024 12 Minutes Max

12 Minutes Max is a performance lab for new and experimental works that was first developed by On the Boards in 1981. In this series, artists present 12 minutes of material, while audiences get an opportunity to be the first to see works-in-progress; some of which will go on to become full-length pieces. 12 Minutes Max has inspired similar programs in Vancouver, B.C., Bellingham, Salt Lake City, Chicago and Houston. Works presented range from performance art to dance, from experimental theater to sound art, from spoken word to comedy, and more.

Open by audition to dance, music, theater and multidisciplinary artists at all career stages. Each selected performance group will receive a $150 stipend.

Edition One: Sept. 10 - 11, 2023
Edition One Program

Edition Two: Dec. 3 - 4, 2023
Edition Two Program

Edition Three: April 21 - 22, 2024
Edition Three Program

Sign up for the Base Newsletter to stay up-to-date on 12 Minutes Max curator announcements and audition applications. Have questions about the showcase? Read through the 12 Minutes Max Guidelines here.

About 12 Minutes Max

An informal showcase of contemporary and experimental performance works in dance, theater, music and multimedia, 12 Minutes Max provides a platform for artists to showcase 12 minutes of material supported by limited technical elements. Performances are curated by different members of the arts community three times a year. Past curators include Saira Barbaric, Donald Byrd, Owen David, Florangela Davila, Sruthi Desai, Glenn Kawasaki, Libby King, Sean Lally, Veronica Lee-Baik, Keira McDonald, Megan Murphy, Tyisha Nedd, Pol Rosenthal and Hendri Walujo.

Over the years, audiences at 12 Minutes Max have been the first to hear from our region’s most innovative voices, including artists such as Pat Graney, zoe|juniper, 33 Fainting Spells, Paul Budraitis and many more. In 2017, On the Boards passed the program to Base; since then, 12 Minutes Max has featured Lavinia Vago, barry johnson, Carl Lawrence, Susan Finque, Sarah Alaways, Fernando Luna/Latino Theatre Projects, Naomi Macalalad Bragin and many more.