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Richard Foreman founded the Ontological-Hysteric Theatre which begun in Soho, NY 1968, writing, directing and designing over fifty phantasmagorical works. He is motivated by a desire to provide a total theatrical experience by constantly re-awakening the audience and exposing them to the result of text, design and live performance in one shifting, heaving and breathing entity. More specifically, Foreman employs a whirlwind of imaginative nightmarish set, evocative period costume, moody projections, installations and sound-scapes that are at once decadent, retro and glamourous but also brutal, startling, razor-sharp and highly disciplined. 

“… His aim was stripping the theatre bare of everything but the singular and essential impulse to stage the static tension of interpersonal relations in space. The Ontological-Hysteric Theatre seeks to produce works that balance a primitive and minimal style with extremely complex and theatrical themes.”

Here are some images from "Deep Trance Behavior in Potatoland: A Richard Foreman Theater Machine." 2008.

all photos from New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/01/24/theater/20080124_TRANCE_SLIDESHOW_index.html

The Ontological-Hysteric Theatre is not only the home of Richard Foreman, since 1993 it has embraced and supported original work by emerging, independent artists. Under various guises in the past, this evolving program now comes under the name of INCUBATOR. This year previous Ontological-Hysteric Theatre home, St. Mark's Church NY is now the residence of The Incubator Arts project.

Visit ontological.com and incubatorarts.org to find out about current projects.