On 27 April 2026, TORCHES continues with a conversation with theatre and film director, video and sound artist, and performing arts curator Brian Rogers. He is the co-founder and artistic executive director of Queens’ The Chocolate Factory Theater.
Brian Rogers is a theatre and film director, video and sound artist, and performing arts curator. Since 1997, Brian has created films, performances, albums, and other time- based projects including Small Songs (2023/2024), Screamers (2018), Hot Box (2012, co-presented with FIAF’s Crossing The Line Festival / PS122’s COIL Festival / EMPAC Center, Troy NY and supported by a MAP Fund grant), and the Bessie-nominated Selective Memory (2010). Brian composed the soundtrack for Shaun Iron & Lauren Petty’s film Standing By: Gatz Backstage and has collaborated as a sound and video artist with numerous experimental dance and theatre artists in New York and elsewhere. Brian is a MacDowell Fellow, and has had residencies at Yaddo and Mount Tremper Arts. Brian is the co-founder and artistic executive director of The Chocolate Factory Theater, an internationally recognized venue for experimental dance, theater, and interdisciplinary performance based in Long Island City, Queens, New York City. Brian serves as chief curator of the organization’s artistic programming (now in its 21st year) and leads its artistic and administrative operations. Brian has taught at Kenyon College, University of Michigan, University of Colorado, The School at The Art Institute of Chicago, St. Johns University, Carnegie Mellon University, Sarah Lawrence College, The New School, New York University, Princeton University and others; and has served as a panelist / recommender for NYSCA, Queens Council on the Arts, Fresh Tracks, NYC Dept of Cultural Affairs, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Creative Capital, Pew Charitable Trust, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Yaddo, Macdowell, MacArthur, Guggenheim, and others. He is a graduate of Bennington College.
