ARTIST STATEMENT
My current practice centers the intersection of theater and social activism, with a particular focus on LGBTQIA+ discourses. It informs a practice built on four significant strands of influence: my formal education in the Stanislavski Actor Training, the further research and tutoring into physical theater methods of V. Meyerhold, J. Grotowski, DV8, the pedagogical and exploratory ensemble work of Eugenio Barba, Pippo Delbono and Augusto Boal and my story line as a queer, non-binary individual. In my ten years of artistic exploration, I have been focusing on generating creative work in response to the needs and rights of my community under the firm belief that through/with/for the queer body, new methods and practices of radical care will emerge.
BIOGRAPHY
Cat Jugravu (they/them/sie) is a Romanian non-binary LGBTQIA+ activist, theatre-maker, poetry writer, and drag performer. Born in 1991, Cat studied Stage Acting at The National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest, where they earned their Bachelor's Degree. They later pursued a Master's Degree in Applied Theatre and Society at the Mozarteum University Salzburg, graduating in 2023. Since 2018, Cat has been the co-founder and artistic director of the Queerdos Ensemble in Berlin. Their work focuses on community building, somatic art therapy, and generative theatre methodology. They are particularly dedicated to amplifying LGBTQIA+ narratives and empowering individuals and communities through embodied artistic practices. Their projects often address critical issues such as gender-based violence, abuse, trans/homophobia, racism, and xenophobia. As a trans-non-binary performance artist, poet, and theatre director of Roma descent, Cat explores the intersection of performance, deep bodywork, trauma politics, and social activism. They have been living in Berlin since 2015, dedicating their creative efforts to meeting the needs and advocating for the rights of LGBTQIA+ communities. They firmly believe that by centring queer bodies, new sociocultural methods of negotiation and practices can emerge. Cat graduated with their Master's Degree in Applied Theatre: Artistic Practice and Society from the Mozarteum University in Salzburg in 2023. Throughout their academic journey, they delved into the dynamics of performance, deep bodywork, and the politics of trauma, while focusing on the impact of queer life. They continually strive to develop their skills as an artistic director and facilitator. In addition to their artistic pursuits, Cat maintains a strong online presence through their company’s website www.queerdos.eu Their biography showcases their commitment to using art as a tool for social change, promoting inclusivity, and creating spaces for marginalized voices to be heard and empowered.
They have collaborated with institutions in:
Bucharest Glasgow Dortmund
the National Theatre The Glasgow Biennale Schauspielhaus Dortmund
Odeon Theatre
Nottara Theatre
Berlin Prague Tromsø
Volksbühne The Prague Biennale Open Out Festival
The English Theatre meetfactory.cz Kunstakademiet - UiT
Kantine Berghain Artivist Lab Gallery
Ballhaus Naunynstrasse tranzit.cz
The Ballery
Brotfabrik Vienna
Schinkel Pavillion Queer Museum Wien
Maxim Gorki Theater E-BISTARDE Vergiss Mein nicht Festival
My current practice centers the intersection of theater and social activism, with a particular focus on LGBTQIA+ discourses. It informs a practice built on four significant strands of influence: my formal education in the Stanislavski Actor Training, the further research and tutoring into physical theater methods of V. Meyerhold, J. Grotowski, DV8, the pedagogical and exploratory ensemble work of Eugenio Barba, Pippo Delbono and Augusto Boal and my story line as a queer, non-binary individual. In my ten years of artistic exploration, I have been focusing on generating creative work in response to the needs and rights of my community under the firm belief that through/with/for the queer body, new methods and practices of radical care will emerge.
BIOGRAPHY
Cat Jugravu (they/them/sie) is a Romanian non-binary LGBTQIA+ activist, theatre-maker, poetry writer, and drag performer. Born in 1991, Cat studied Stage Acting at The National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest, where they earned their Bachelor's Degree. They later pursued a Master's Degree in Applied Theatre and Society at the Mozarteum University Salzburg, graduating in 2023. Since 2018, Cat has been the co-founder and artistic director of the Queerdos Ensemble in Berlin. Their work focuses on community building, somatic art therapy, and generative theatre methodology. They are particularly dedicated to amplifying LGBTQIA+ narratives and empowering individuals and communities through embodied artistic practices. Their projects often address critical issues such as gender-based violence, abuse, trans/homophobia, racism, and xenophobia. As a trans-non-binary performance artist, poet, and theatre director of Roma descent, Cat explores the intersection of performance, deep bodywork, trauma politics, and social activism. They have been living in Berlin since 2015, dedicating their creative efforts to meeting the needs and advocating for the rights of LGBTQIA+ communities. They firmly believe that by centring queer bodies, new sociocultural methods of negotiation and practices can emerge. Cat graduated with their Master's Degree in Applied Theatre: Artistic Practice and Society from the Mozarteum University in Salzburg in 2023. Throughout their academic journey, they delved into the dynamics of performance, deep bodywork, and the politics of trauma, while focusing on the impact of queer life. They continually strive to develop their skills as an artistic director and facilitator. In addition to their artistic pursuits, Cat maintains a strong online presence through their company’s website www.queerdos.eu Their biography showcases their commitment to using art as a tool for social change, promoting inclusivity, and creating spaces for marginalized voices to be heard and empowered.
They have collaborated with institutions in:
Bucharest Glasgow Dortmund
the National Theatre The Glasgow Biennale Schauspielhaus Dortmund
Odeon Theatre
Nottara Theatre
Berlin Prague Tromsø
Volksbühne The Prague Biennale Open Out Festival
The English Theatre meetfactory.cz Kunstakademiet - UiT
Kantine Berghain Artivist Lab Gallery
Ballhaus Naunynstrasse tranzit.cz
The Ballery
Brotfabrik Vienna
Schinkel Pavillion Queer Museum Wien
Maxim Gorki Theater E-BISTARDE Vergiss Mein nicht Festival