Photo : Alex Mesnil
For the Living, Liza Machover
For the Living features six amateurs* and an actress, dancer, and circus artist. On stage, each person pays tribute to a loved one, a living person, so as not to wait for a funeral to say how they feel.
Théâtre 13 - Bibliothèque (Paris 13th)
About
When a loved one dies, we recite poems, hum songs, give speeches; as if death makes art resurface in our lives. What if we no longer waited for the death of our loved ones to dedicate these art forms to them, what if we finally gave ourselves the opportunity to address our messages to the living? Thanks to a work protocol, each participant was able to create their own artistic expression and dedicate it to a loved one. Together, they celebrate life while it is still there, singing for the living while they are still alive. Filled with video performances, songs, dances, texts, and visual arts or creations, this polymorphic show unfolds like a ritual, a space where everyone's creative power is celebrated.
Conception, writing and directing Liza Machover
With Delphine Lanson and the proposals of those who wish to create a ceremony for a living person*
Co-writing, artistic collaboration Benjamin Möller, Maureen Sizun Vom Dorp, Florian Bessin, Delphine Lanson
Scenography Florian Bessin
Sound, general management Benjamin Möller
Lighting Maureen Sizun Vom Dorp
Image and video editing Alex Mesnil
Advice Carolina Rebolledo-Vera, Aimée Lipot
Administration Par tous les temps – Thierry Soto
Distribution Par tous les temps – Sébastien Juillard
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* Two groups of amateurs will take turns over the 10 performances.
Our take on this event
Why wait until a funeral to honor someone special when you can celebrate their life right now? This immersive performance turns personal tributes into an artistic ritual, blending video, dance, and spoken word to turn the spotlight on the living. It is a rare chance to experience a deep, collective tribute that feels both human and profoundly moving.
Liza Machover presents Pour les Vivant·e·s at Théâtre 13 - Bibliothèque, a performance piece exploring how we honor those close to us. Moving away from the tradition of artistic tributes at the time of death, this show encourages dedicating creative works to the living. Through a blend of video, song, dance, and text, participants transform the stage into a ritual celebrating our connections today. This event, recommended for ages 12 and up, runs from June 9 to June 19, 2027, featuring alternating groups of amateur performers across ten scheduled dates.
Théâtre 13 - Bibliothèque hosts Pour les Vivant·e·s, a polymorphic performance directed by Liza Machover. The concept challenges the tendency to reserve art and poetry for funeral rites. Instead, this project invites individuals to craft artistic expressions—ranging from visual arts and dance to personal texts and video—dedicated to the people they cherish while they are still alive. It is a collective ritual designed to manifest the creative power within us all.
The creative team includes Benjamin Möller, Maureen Sizun Vom Dorp, Florian Bessin, and Delphine Lanson. Two groups of amateur performers will rotate through the ten scheduled shows, ensuring each performance carries a unique emotional weight. The production is a collaborative effort involving various artistic disciplines, including lighting by Maureen Sizun Vom Dorp and sound by Benjamin Möller.
Performances take place from Wednesday, June 9, 2027, to Saturday, June 19, 2027. For sessions held Monday through Friday, the curtain rises at 20:00 and concludes at 21:20. On Saturdays, the performance is scheduled from 18:00 to 19:20. The event is open to audiences aged 12 and older and requires payment for entry.
