FACES OF DOWNTOWN SCENE

Faces of Downtown Scene is a portrait project dedicated to New York’s experimental performance community. Reflecting the collaborative spirit and creative process at its core, the project has grown to include artists and innovators from around the world—like an ever-expanding family.

Since November 2016, Maria Baranova has been photographing the individuals who drive New York’s theater and dance. Inviting dancers, choreographers, actors, producers, playwrights, designers, and directors for intimate portrait sessions and conversations, Maria uses a medium format film camera, natural light, and her signature black backdrop to capture the essence of over 300 subjects. Through these portraits, the project shines a light on the creators at the heart of New York City’s distinctive Downtown scene.

www.facesofdowntownscene.com

  • Portrait of a woman with dark curly hair, wearing a dark t-shirt, against a black background.

    Leslie Cuyjet

    Performer and Artist / October 2024

  • Two women embracing, one resting her head on the other's shoulder against a black background.

    Lisa Fagan & Lena Engelstein

    Choreographers / Performers / February 2024

  • A young man in a red t-shirt with a toy water gun and a whistle in his mouth, sitting against a dark background.

    Nile Harris

    Performer / Director / February 2023

  • A person dressed in a humorous costume with a chicken hat and a red and white hat, making a surprised expression, with chicken props and strips of blue and pink tape attached to them.

    Alex Tatarsky

    October 2022

  • Portrait of a woman with short curly dark hair, wearing glasses, and a black top, against a dark background.

    Afsoon Pajoufar

    Environment and Stage designer / March 2022

  • Portrait of a woman with dark brown hair, wearing earrings and a blue textured blouse, against a dark background.

    Molly Lieber

    Dancer / Choreographer / February 2019

  • A man with dark hair, a beard, and light skin looking to the right, wearing a brown shirt against a black background.

    John Torres

    Lighting Designer / December 2020

  • A woman with black hair (left) wearing a pink shirt and a man with glasses and brown hair (right) wearing a black shirt, both against a black background.

    Harriet Jung & Reid Bartelme

    Costume Designers / September 2024

  • A man in a red hoodie and paint-splattered black pants sits on a stool in front of a black background. A sign with white text reads: 'I do something I learned early to do, I am paying attention to small beauties.'

    Jonathan Allen

    Artist / March 2023

  • Portrait of a young woman with dark hair slicked back, looking directly at the camera against a black background.

    Lydia Mokdessi

    Dancer / February 2024

  • A woman with short dark hair wearing a white tank top and a chain necklace, reaching out with both hands against a dark background.

    Tess Dworman

    Artist / July 2024

  • A woman with dark hair wearing red headphones holds a neon pink and white light stick next to her face against a black background.

    Tuce Yasak

    Lighting Designer / December 2020

  • Person holding three pairs of colorful glasses in front of a black background.

    RED Kadetsky

    Theater Maker /Visual Artist / July 2024

  • Half-portrait of an elderly woman with gray hair, illuminated from the front left, against a black background, wearing a dark top.

    Meg Harper

    Dancer / December 2017

  • Portrait of a woman with dark skin and short curly hair, wearing a dark blue shirt, against a black background.

    Kaneza Schaal

    Theater Artist / August 2018

  • A man with a shaved head posing against a dark background, touching his head and neck with both hands, wearing a dark blue shirt.

    Paul Singh

    Dancer / April / 2024

  • A portrait of an older woman with long, wavy, white hair, wearing a black top, against a dark background.

    Yanira Castro

    Performance Maker / November 2020

  • A bald man with a beard looking down at a bouquet of various colorful flowers against a black background.

    Sean McElroy

    Performer / October 2017

  • A young woman with platinum blonde hair, wearing a tank top, partially lit by natural light against a dark background.

    Madeline Wise

    Actress / September 2019

  • A woman with short brown hair, red lipstick, wearing a black and white outfit, standing against a black background, looking at the camera with her hands positioned near her shoulders.

    Milka Djordjevich

    Choreographer / January 2023

  • Portrait of an elderly bald man wearing a black shirt against a dark background.

    Lee Breuer

    Mabou Mines / March 2018

  • Portrait of a man with glasses, resting his face in his hands, against a dark background.

    Carlos Soto

    Director / Designer / Performer / February 2018

  • A woman with brown hair and blue eyes wearing a red sleeveless top and a long gold necklace stands against a black background. She has her arms raised above her head, with her hands touching, and looks directly at the camera.

    Joanna Kotze

    Dancer / Choreographer / February 2019

  • Portrait of a young woman with short curly hair, wearing a black blazer and a necklace, illuminated by dramatic lighting against a black background.

    Holland Andrews

    Performer / Musician / November 2020

  • A person with short black hair, glasses, and light skin, wearing a colorful blue, green, and black patterned shirt, making a finger heart gesture with both hands, sitting against a dark background.

    Cha See

    Lighting Designer / October 2020

  • Two women engaged in a modern dance or performance art, intertwined and balancing on a wooden box, with a dark background.

    MOLLY & NOLA

    September 2023

  • Man wearing reflective glasses and a dark shirt, with a dark background.

    Andrew Schneider

    Performance Maker / September 2017

TOP