Berlin-based Marilyn Nova White (they/them) is an authentic performance artist, actor, dancer and Drag King with half Bulgarian roots. Their multidisciplinary and often autobiographical work explores performance, movement, and the body, with a focus on gender, physicalities, and desire. Known for their striking stage presence!

 

After an initial qualification as a medical assistant in 2005 and seven years in a full-time administrative position, Marilyn experienced a transformative turning point upon graduating in Theater Pedagogy BuT® from Theaterwerkstatt Heidelberg in 2012. From that moment, Marilyn pursued an autodidactic path into the independent theater and performance scene. In 2023, Marilyn completed a three-month intensive acting program at Die Schauspielfabrik Berlin. Their skills and experiences are not only defined by formal qualifications but also through alternative learning, self-organized, and collective processes.

 

Marilyn’s performances integrate a variety of dance styles, from Sensual Floorwork and Tribal Fusion (a subgenre of belly dance) to Hula Hoop. From a young age, White found their passion for dance* and later evolved into teaching, primarily focusing on ATS (American Tribal Style Bellydance). Marilyn has extensive experience in teaching dance as well as many years in theater and circus pedagogy.

 

With a commitment to artistic expression and pleasure activism, Marilyn works on the visibility of bondage and kink in performances, films, and workshops on sexual education. Their work is deeply influenced by gender-critical and queer-feminist considerations, viewing the performing arts as the ultimate platform to explore the relationship between body, gender, and society, always with a touch of humor.

Since becoming a Drag King in 2017, they have shared their love for drag through successful workshops at institutions such as UdK Berlin, HfS Ernst Busch, QueerKAstle, and Kaserne Basel.

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Marilyn’s multidisciplinary arts have been realized in collaborations with groups and artists like Frauen und Fiktion, CHICKS* freies performancekollektiv, Tümay Kilincel, Nature Theater of Oklahoma, Taylor Mac, and the University of Cologne.

In 2024 Marilyn was chosen to be part of FAIRSTAGE Fellowship-Programme - a model project for non-discriminatory and good working conditions at Berlin theatres and an opportunity to enter cultural politics.

In 2022, Marilyn received the NEUSTART KULTUR research funding from FONDS DARSTELLENDE KÜNSTE to develop their artistic projects conceptually.