The Performance Lab grew from the desire of the company members to create an ongoing structure that allows us to work with a mix of guest artists and younger artists who could inspire us with new perspectives and energy. We also wished to experiment with different material and techniques without the pressure of a production deadline. Since its inception in 1997, the lab has worked with a culturally diverse group of more than forty writers, actors, directors, and musicians. Guest artists have led workshops on Greek Tragedy, Puppetry, Biomechanics, the theater music of Kurt Weill, and the paintings of Caravaggio. We have conducted two labs in collaboration with New Dramatists about writing and performance. We use these studies as a jumping off place for creating our own short theater works. Guest artists have included F. Murray Abraham, Joanne Akalitis, Roger Babb, Anne Bogart, Joseph Chaikin,Lisa D'Amour, Janie Geiser,Anna Kiraly, Neal Kirkwood, Dan Hurlin,Lizzie Olesker,Leonard Petit, Theodora Skipitaras, "Blue" Gene Tyranny, and Basil Twist. The Lab will be continuing through our 2008 season. If you are a theater artist interested in participating in The Talking Band Performance Lab, please send us a letter describing your background, and why you would like to join the lab. Send it to: The Talking Band P.O. Box 293, Prince Station New York, NY 10012