Oh, For The Love of Weird Art!
12 gatherings over 6 months to celebrate, connect & get curious.
November 2026 – May 2027
Whelp, here we are. Going on year 11 of making weird art about tough stuff, and still finding new ways to make things weird. And we want you to join us.
Over six months, Grey Box is hosting twelve gatherings (some in person, some virtual) that bring together art, creativity, conversation, curiosity, and humans being humans. There will be things to make, stories to share, questions to sit with, strangers to meet, and probably a few unexpected moments along the way.
Some gatherings will be playful. Others might get a little awkward. Some might be both. That's usually where the interesting stuff happens. You don't need to be an artist. You don't need to know anything about Grey Box. You don't even need to know what you're getting yourself into.
Just bring your curious, fully-human self (and maybe a friend or two #BuddySystem).
(Note: This page contains mostly general information about the series. If you want to explore the individual events specifically and purchase tickets, click the button below.)
Weird Art Requires Community
For the past decade, Grey Box has been making experimental art about the things that aren't always easy to talk about. Grief. Trauma. Identity. Belonging. The ways we navigate a world that doesn't always make a whole lot of sense. We've made performances, films, podcasts, and plenty of things that don't fit neatly into any one category.
But something we've come to understand is that the art isn't always the most important thing happening in the room. Sometimes it's the conversation afterward. The person who feels a little less alone. The unexpected connection between two people who might never have crossed paths otherwise. Or the opportunity to try something new without needing to be particularly good at it.
That's part of why we keep making this work.
And as we head into our next decade, we're thinking about what else is possible when we bring more humans into the mix. So, we're throwing a series of gatherings. Not a gala. Not a conference. Not twelve networking events disguised as something fun. Just twelve opportunities to come together, make some stuff, have some conversations, and see what happens.
Twelve Gatherings. Six Months.
There's no single way to participate in Oh, For the Love of Weird Art!
For Our Phoenix Metro Area Humans: We're getting together in person to make things, share food and drinks, meet new people, and spend some time doing something a little different. Think mocktails, mingling, making stuff, brunch, desserts, and conversations that go beyond the usual small talk.
For Our Humans Zooming in From Everywhere Else: Our virtual gatherings include artist salons, documentary conversations, opportunities to reflect on who we've been and who we're becoming, and spaces to share the things we've been thinking about. Some will be more structured than others. All will make room for curiosity. Join from your couch, your bed, your kitchen table, or wherever you happen to be (just please keep your camera off if you're in the bathroom).
Pick one. Pick a few. Or however many you choose, it's not a competition, however, we are kinda keeping score... because if you attend at least four gatherings you'll get your choice of a Grey Box coloring book or a ticket to our Phoenix performance in May 2027. (And before you ask, if you attend 8, then you get another coloring book or another ticket, and if you attend all 12, then you get another coloring book and/or another ticket).
So, Wait, What's All This For?
Well, we're kicking off our next decade of making weird art about tough stuff. And we've got some pretty ambitious plans.
Over the coming months, we're developing new projects in Phoenix, as well as from the East to West Coast. We're also using these twelve gatherings to reconnect with old friends, meet new humans, build community partnerships, and explore what else might be possible.
So, where does the money go?
First, we cover the costs of bringing each gathering to life. Then, the funds raised beyond those expenses go toward supporting our upcoming artistic projects.
And where does most of that project funding go?
To humans.
It's hard to be a working artist right now. Actually, it's been hard for quite some time...
We do our best to pay artists and collaborators stipends that exceed minimum wage and are competitive with organizations considerably larger than ours. Because artists deserve to be compensated in this world, and to keep roofs over their heads, food in their fridges, lights that stay on, and gas in their cars. You know, the basics. We're not buying yachts, flying to space, or innovating humanity out of existence over here.
We're making art, paying people, and creating opportunities for humans to connect with one another.
Every ticket helps make that possible. And if you have a little extra to give, we welcome that support, too. But this series is about building the relationships, resources, and community that will help sustain Grey Box through its next decade.
So, first, we gather. Then, we get to work.
Cool, but who is Grey Box?
Hi, that's us!
We make weird art about tough stuff.
Grey Box is a Phoenix-based interdisciplinary performing arts organization that has been creating experimental work since 2016.
We bring together creatives of all sorts to explore complicated social issues through performance, film, conversation, and other creative practices.
Our work is grounded in trauma-informed creative practices, compassion, curiosity, and the belief that art can help us question the world around us, connect with one another, and imagine something different.
We consider our performances in particular as artistic vehicles of embodied activism and social transformation designed to spark community dialogue around difficult or often silenced topics.
We don't always have answers. We're often more interested in the questions. And we're pretty comfortable playing in the grey.
If You've Read This Far...
1.) Greatly appreciate you. And 2.) There's a pretty good chance you're the kind of human who would enjoy spending some time with us.
Maybe you're a creative human. Maybe you haven't made anything since elementary school. Maybe you're looking for inspiration, new people to connect with, a reason to get out of the house (or log on to Zoom for something other than a meeting). Maybe you've been carrying a lot lately and could use an experience that feels a little different. Or maybe you're just wondering wtf 'Oh, For the Love of Weird Art!' is actually all about.
We believe in creative spaces, making room for curiosity, play, reflection, and connection - especially right now. You don't have to perform, impress anyone, or have something profound to say. You can just show up.
If you are still scrolling through all of this, hi, still very much appreciate you.
And here's even more information about the events.
There Are Some Rules For These Events...More like Anti-Rules Rules
1. You can't lie, but you can always pass.
Honesty is encouraged.
We love a vulnerable moment.
And also appreciate a boundary.
Share what you want and practice a mental reservation on the rest.
2. “I'm fine” is not an acceptable answer.
Neither is “I'm good.”
Give us a metaphor, a weather report, a sound effect, or
an oddly specific description of your current state.
We're interested in the messy grey area (it's like literally our thing).
3. Curiosity over judgment.
Ask questions.
Challenge assumptions.
Be willing to change your mind.
You don't have to agree with everyone, but you do have to treat them like humans.
4. Be in process.
We're all works in progress.
Bring your unfinished thoughts, evolving perspectives, and contradictions.
There's discipline in allowing things to remain unresolved and rigor in remaining curious.
You don't have to know where you're going to discover something along the way.
5. Leave room for the unexpected.
A conversation might go somewhere you didn't anticipate.
An activity might become something else entirely.
You might meet your next collaborator or learn something surprising about yourself.
Stay open to possibility.
*These rules/anti-rules are inspired by the FUI Supper Club
Hi, still scrolling? Wondering if this thing actually ends?
It does, and you're almost there.
Happy scrolling.
Congrats! You've found the bottom of this monologue about Oh, For The Love of Weird Art!
Click any of the grey rectangles to go purchase some tickets... we're assuming if you read all of this, you'd probably attend at least one event, right? ...Right??