La MaMa Presents World Premiere of 'Center for Fiction: This Is Not May '68'

Part of La MaMa Moves! Dance Festival at the Ellen Stewart Theatre

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:00am

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring stark black silhouettes and jagged geometric shapes in a muted color palette, conveying the themes of social unrest, intergenerational exchange, and the lingering impact of 1968 without using any text or literal imagery.The world premiere of 'Center for Fiction: This Is Not May '68' at La MaMa Moves! Dance Festival explores how the unfinished revolutions of 1968 continue to resonate in the present day.NYC Today

La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club will present the world premiere of 'Center for Fiction: This Is Not May '68' by choreographer Patricia Hoffbauer as part of the La MaMa Moves! Dance Festival. The performances will take place from April 16-19 at the Ellen Stewart Theatre in New York City.

Why it matters

This new work by acclaimed choreographer Patricia Hoffbauer explores the lingering impact of the social and political upheaval of 1968, reimagining those historical struggles through the lens of the present day. The intergenerational cast of 11 performers, ranging from ages 25 to 80, will bring a dynamic mix of text and movement to this charged examination of power, love, and knowledge.

The details

Directed and choreographed by Patricia Hoffbauer, 'Center for Fiction: This Is Not May '68' gathers an ensemble of 11 performers to stage a series of delayed recognitions, where the past suddenly feels urgent again. Through this work, the unfinished revolutions of 1968 cast a restless shadow, pressing against our current moment and propelling the performers into unexpected situations and daring new possibilities.

  • Performances are scheduled for April 16-18 at 7pm and April 19 at 3:30pm.
  • The show is part of the 21st season of La MaMa's annual La MaMa Moves! Dance Festival, taking place over five weeks in April and May of 2026.

The players

Patricia Hoffbauer

A Brazilian-born, New York City-based dance artist whose work spans decades and multiple collaborations across artistic disciplines. She is the director, choreographer, and writer of 'Center for Fiction: This Is Not May '68'.

La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club

A renowned experimental theatre company dedicated to nurturing new artists and new work from all nations, cultures, races and identities. They are presenting the world premiere of Hoffbauer's new work as part of their annual La MaMa Moves! Dance Festival.

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What they’re saying

“The past arrives late. 1968 does not settle into history: it lingers as something unresolved, still pressing against the present with a kind of retroactive shimmer.”

— Patricia Hoffbauer, Choreographer

What’s next

Tickets for the performances are on sale now, with general admission priced at $30 and student/senior tickets at $25. A $50 'Support the Artists' ticket option is also available.

The takeaway

Hoffbauer's new work at La MaMa Moves! promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of how the unresolved social and political upheaval of 1968 continues to resonate in the present day, bringing together an intergenerational cast to reimagine those historical struggles through the lens of contemporary experience.