Head Mechanic at the Performing Garage: A Tribute to Ron Vawter

There is a voice and a face that many of us know, a voice with implacable resonance and a face awash with a wily wisdom. The voice and face belong to Ron Vawter, actor/provocateur from New York's elusively experimental Wooster Group and co-star in such notable films as Philadelphia and Swoon. Vawter, who declared his PWA status in 1992, has tread a laudable line, adding his authoritative presence not just to Hollywood features, but to a long list of remarkable avant-garde film and videoworks. His generosity, his interest in artistic vision, and the compassion mustered for even the most modest role has secured the success of many independent projects. Tonight, we indulge ourselves in a display of Ron Vawter's breadth as a compelling and committed actor with a program comprised of works-some shown in their entirety, some excerpted-by some of our finest media artists, including Joan Jonas, Ken Kobland, Bruce and Norman Yonemoto, Leslie Thornton, Steve Fagin, Shu Lea Cheang and others. Vawter, Vawter, everywhere.-Steve Seid Special thanks to all the artists who lent their works for this tribute, especially Ken Kobland, and to Chris Hoover, Chuck Stephens, Stephen Vitiello, Mindy Faber, and the Wooster Group for their assistance.

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