Ellpetha Tsivicos is a Cypriot-American dialogical artist and performer whose work is driven by Magical Urbanism, an exploration of how ancient traditions exist and evolve in modern urban landscapes. As the cofounder, producer and director of the work of One Whale’s Tale she creates maximalist work that blends the sensations of music, dance, film, puppets/masks, food, vibrant color, narrative storytelling, a night out at a bar, a family party, and a festival into undefinable multidisciplinary performances. She graduated from NYU (2011) with a BFA in Drama, and a minor in Art and Public Policy. Ellpetha prides herself on the institutional autonomy she and her co-founder have established with One Whale’s Tale and knowing how to properly break the rules. As a director, Ellpetha takes a holistic approach, working closely with each department, having dialogues and giving layered inspiration to build a cohesive piece while always allowing each collaborating artist to experiment, create and bring themselves to the work. In August of 2020, she directed a workshop of QUINCE at the People’s Garden which became the first live theatre to happen in New York City during the COVID pandemic; through this production she innovated safety protocols that were integrated into the aesthetic elements of the production. Most recently with One Whale’s Tale, she has been building community through free physical ensemble workshops that create a space for group exploration, deep listening practices, and free form movement through live music and play. She is inspired by both the permanence and ephemera of nature, bright colors, form, broken forms, and community. Conversation as art, and culture as an act of resistance. Her work includes Directing and Co-creating QUINCE at the Bushwick Starr, QUINCE en la Plaza at Lincoln Center, Night Descends on Svalbard as part of the Exponential Festival, Persou at the cell theatre, and I Wish I Knew How, a creative arts program for formerly incarcerated people, as well as a series of award-winning short films, documentaries, and music videos. She is the Co-founder and Creative Director / Producer of the first ever Brooklyn Cumbia Festival, an annual music and community event. She was the Associate Producer for Primer for a Failed Superpower with the TEAM, and long term collaborator with Mariah Robertson for several performances including the Art in Embassies Gala, MoMa PS1 Gala, performances at PS 1, and Art Basel. Ellpetha performs in her original work, in jazz clubs, films, and will be premiering her new band Other World this winter. Her book, A Life Into Lands, was published in English and Cypriot by Phaneromenis70. She has developed work through residencies at The SHED and the TEAM’s Petri Projects, Onassis Stegi and is currently part of the Devised Theater Working Group at The Public Theater in Manhattan. As a dialogical artist, she considers every conversation to be part of the art and part of the work: an opportunity for a real connection, deep listening, creation, and an invitation to join in her pursuit of bringing people together.