Circus Jews Under National Socialism with Stav Meishar
This talk will explore the lives of Jewish circus artists in Germany before and during the Nazi regime, presented with sensitivity and humor by Stav Meishar, a circus artist and academic.
The talk is based on over seven years of research and combines photos, testimonies and personal stories. Together we will examine these incredible histories and discuss the process of transforming historical research into performances.
The talk will incorporate excerpts from Stav’s show The Escape Act, a show based on the true story of a Jewish acrobat who survived the Holocaust by hiding in a German circus.
Stav Meishar is an award-winning queer and neurodivergent performance maker, interdisciplinary stage artist, researcher, speaker, and educator. Their stage work explores the amalgamation of history and current affairs using tools from the worlds of theatre, circus, and contemporary performance. Stav's most recent project, The Escape Act: A Holocaust Memoir, is a one-person show based on the true story of a Jewish acrobat who survived the Holocaust hiding at a German circus, examining questions of antisemitism and multigenerational-trauma.
Stav's research has been shared in academic conferences and public events throughout the world. They hold an MA in Contemporary Circus Practices from Stockholm University of the Arts.
