The Anthropologists

The Anthropologists is dedicated to the collaborative creation of investigative theatre that inspires action. As one of NYC’s leading devised theatre companies, we bring research archives and artifacts to life, unearthing hidden stories with dynamic physicality. Our body of work poses provocative questions about society, history, and humanity, centering women’s experiences and elevating historically marginalized voices. In addition to creating original plays for the stage, we offer University-level training in devised, investigative theatre. We approach theatre-making with these guiding questions: • Can we use source material to challenge our own assumptions? • Can we use research to broaden or break dominant narratives? • Can we use archival materials to better understand our present? We are currently developing axes, herbs and satchels, a celebration of the traditional knowledge held in the Black birth worker community and a potent examination of maternal mortality. Featuring a predominantly Black/BIPOC creative team, this investigative play is built from medical texts, primary accounts, and ethnological research. In performance, audiences are invited to witness possibilities for healing from historical harms and the reclamation of Black wisdom. In 2023, to support the research and development of this play, we launched our inaugural anthropologist-in-residence fellowship in partnership with the American Anthropological Association. Since then we’ve built enthusiastic relationships within the anthropological community. The World Premiere is slated for Spring ‘25.