I am José Parra, an international performing artist specialized in small-scale theatre. My work combines clown, physical theatre and text, and is characterized by emotional closeness, humor and a carefully crafted aesthetic. Trained in London, where I lived for 20 years, I have drawn from a wide range of techniques and collaborations, from Lecoq’s physical theatre to Decroux’s corporeal mime. I have worked with companies such as Moving Pieces and artists like Jamie Wood, with whom I co-created my solo show Men Don't Blush.
I create solo shows that, with minimal resources, take audiences on an epic and emotional journey. I blend humor, fiction and reality to explore contemporary themes such as identity, grief and masculinity. My work combines clown, text, physical theatre and theatrical play, creating intimate, poetic and deeply human experiences.
I work in collaboration with other artists, such as Jamie Wood and Dominic Kennedy. The creative process is long and immersive, based on improvisation, the use of masks, movement and personal exploration. I am always looking for accessible and playful ways to share discoveries, through an interdisciplinary approach that blurs traditional genres and prioritizes connection with the audience.
My shows are for curious people who want to be moved, laugh at the absurd and recognise themselves in vulnerability. Age matters less than a willingness to let go, look inward and play. I make work for those who seek more from theatre than entertainment: an intimate and close experience that speaks to what we are, what we keep silent, what hurts us and also what saves us.
Some shows are aimed primarily at adult audiences, while others are suitable for all audiences and can also be enjoyed by children and young people. I want to reach diverse audiences, without requiring any particular theatre knowledge, only the openness needed to share an emotional and honest journey and laugh at who we are.
My work has an international outlook and is performed in Spanish, English and Catalan. I work with minimal sets and portable formats that allow me to adapt to diverse spaces: alternative theatres, festivals, small venues, unconventional settings and even the street. I aim to create multilingual and inclusive theatre that can break down linguistic, cultural and physical barriers and connect with diverse audiences, wherever the work is presented.
Jamie Wood is a renowned English artist and director with a long career creating impactful and accessible theatre that has toured extensively around the world. His work reflects his background in fine art, theatre, clown and dance, ranging from the comic and darkly surreal works of The Frequency D’Ici (Paperweight, Fringe First 2008, director and creator) to the physical and visual poetics of Petra’s Pulse (Aegean Fatigue, National Review of Live Art 2008, co-director and performer).
Dominic Kennedy is a sound designer and music producer for performance, theatre, moving image and installations. His work is largely shaped through ongoing collaborations and interactions with artists and creatives from a wide range of disciplines. He specializes in the use of sound as a narrative device and in evoking meaning through constructed sonic environments.
