Stacy Makishi

Stacy Makishi is a transplant from Hawaii who found paradise in Dalston, East London. Like a bonsai plant, Stacy is small but old. She has been making art for over 30 years.

A cross-fertilisation of theatre, comedy, film and visual art, her work is as complex as it is accessible; humorous as it is challenging; visual as it is literate. It ranges across solo performances for stage, large-scale outdoor participatory projects and intimate one-to-ones. Also a teacher, director and mentor in international demand, Stacy believes in art’s transformative power and strives to share her creative process with others in order to put more aloha into the world.

Her past solos for theatre include The Comforter, The Falsettos and Vesper Time, all of which have toured extensively in the UK. She also directs devised works, notably with Contact Manchester Young Company. Commissioned by Contact as a performance response to the Wellcome Collection’s 2015 exhibition Sexology, Under the Covers examined young people’s attitudes to sex, questioning myths and breaking down taboos. Initial performances at Contact were followed by Southbank Centre and the Traverse Edinburgh.

“I wasn’t expecting such a delicate and sophisticated piece of work. It left me deeply moved; humbled by the willing transparency of the performers to tell their truth with humour and sometimes bewilderment. I can be afraid for newer generations; how in the midst of this hyper sexualised society with its expectations and assumptions, will they find their way? I wept at the end of their performance in relief and pride. It seems, we’re going to be okay.” 
– Dr. Rachel Morris, Sex Therapist and broadcaster

Stacy has since made a second piece with Contact, this time with their international exchange project for young people. 

Selected past works

The Comforter (2017-18) Touring solo show for theatre commissioned by The Marlborough, The Yard, Colchester Art Centre, Norwich Arts Centre.

Vesper Time (2015-17) Touring solo show for theatre co-commissioned by Chelsea Theatre and Colchester Arts Centre supported by the National Theatre Studio.

Under the Covers (2015) Directed by Stacy Makishi and devised with Contact Young Company, supported by Contact, the Wellcome Collection and SICK! Festival. Toured to Southbank Centre, Battersea Arts Centre, Traverse Edinburgh.

The Falsettos (2013–14) Solo show for theatre co-commissioned by Chelsea Theatre, Colchester Arts Centre and The Basement which toured the UK and to BRUT, Vienna.

The Making of Bull: The True Story (2010 – 13)
Solo show for theatre which toured to New York, Turkey, Slovenia, Austria, The Netherlands and around the UK.

And The Stars Down So Close (2012)
Large-scale participatory work with an audio walk and installation on and around Newington Green, London.

Love Letters to Francis (2009)
Film made with Nick Parish commissioned by TATE Britain and B3 Media.

For further information please contact Reena Kalsi on reena@artsadmin.co.uk.