the
– definite article: used to refer to a person, place, or thing that is unique.
american
– adjective: of or relating to the U.S. or its citizens.
vicarious
– adjective: experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person.
the american vicarious
Founded in 2018, the american vicarious (TAV) is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to creating boundary-pushing works that reflect on America’s ideals and realities. Through interdisciplinary performance, installation, and film, TAV explores the enduring forces that unite and divide Americans, shaping the nation’s identity. TAV’s acclaimed productions include Debate: Baldwin vs. Buckley (2020–present), a live restaging of the historic 1965 debate that has toured the U.S. and U.K., igniting vital conversations on race and democracy; Static Apnea (2020), a New York Times Critics’ Pick exploring collective anxiety in the pandemic era; Negative Liberty / Positive Liberty (2021), a bold dissection of the events of January 6th; Far From the Nile, winner of Best Non-Fiction Film at the 2022 Cairo International Film Festival; and Fight for America!(2025), a large-scale, participatory wargame installation examining the gamification of politics and the rise of political extremism in the United States. Led by Artistic Director Christopher McElroen and Producing Director Erica Laird, TAV has earned widespread critical acclaim for its thought-provoking and deeply engaging work. From participatory installations to documentary storytelling, TAV invites audiences to reckon with America’s complex history - and its ever-evolving future.
Christopher McElroen, Artistic Director
Christopher’s most recent project, Debate: Baldwin vs Buckley, premiered in London’s West End in 2023 and is currently touring through 2026. In collaboration with six-time Grammy Award nominee Gerald Clayton, Christopher developed and directed Piedmont Blues: A Search for Salvation, which was presented at Harlem Stage in June 2022. Christopher received a Helen Hayes Award for his direction of the world premiere stage adaptation of Ralph Ellison’s iconic novel Invisible Man. Christopher had the honor of directing 51st (dream) State, the final work of poet, musician, and activist Sekou Sundiata, which premiered at BAM’s Next Wave Festival. Alongside visual artist Paul Chan, actor Wendell Pierce, and Creative Time, Christopher co-produced and directed Waiting for Godot in New Orleans, a year-long community development through the arts initiative in post-Katrina New Orleans. The archives from the production were acquired into the permanent collection of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Previously, he co-founded the Classical Theatre of Harlem, where he oversaw 41 productions yielding 18 AUDELCO Awards, 6 OBIE Awards, 2 Lucille Lortel Awards, and a Drama Desk Award.
Erica Laird, Producing Director
Erica joined the american vicarious following several years as General Manager of The Flea Theater, and seven years as Managing Director with The Builders Association where she oversaw all the company’s operations and produced the development, premieres and touring of HOUSE / DIVIDED, SONTAG: REBORN and ELEMENTS OF OZ.
Previously she was Marketing and Residency Manager at the Cutler Majestic Theater in Boston (now ArtsEmerson), and Senior Associate at NYC international booking agency Micocci Productions, where she booked tours for companies including STREB, Big Dance Theater, SITI Company and Mabou Mines. Erica provides general management and/or financial services to various non-profit organizations including The Flea Theater, Space on Ryder Farm, Target Margin Theater and Caborca, and is a member of the Board of Directors for The Builders Association.
Dannah Kelly, Marketing Manager
Dannah brings extensive experience in creative direction and marketing to the american vicarious. With a background in film, television, and theater, she has led high-profile creative projects, including a national Tick, Tick… Boom! campaign for Netflix and long-term rebranding and digital marketing initiatives for emerging companies. Her work spans across media, having developed creative for Scott Brothers Entertainment, OWN, PBS, Nickelodeon, and Max. Grounded in a passion for storytelling, she combines strategic insight with creative execution to bring ambitious projects to life.
