“A revealing stroll through a boundary-smashing career.”
—Kirkus
—Kirkus
Celebrating the arrival of The Space Behind the Face: Life Stories, the long-awaited memoir by the late, much-lauded theater and visual artist Robert Wilson, BAM welcomes actor and writer Keith McDermott, who helped Wilson complete the manuscript before he died in July 2025, for an evening of illuminating conversation with a group of Wilson’s associates and creative collaborators. Part intimate remembrance, part cultural history, part road map for living an artistic life, The Space Behind the Face is a vital text for anyone who believes in the boundless value of creativity—and a stunningly beautiful memorial to an inimitable artist.
Born in Waco, Texas, Robert Wilson was among the world’s foremost theater and visual artists, renowned worldwide for his poetically deliberate use of time, space, and light. His longstanding relationship with BAM commenced with The Life and Times of Sigmund Freud (1970), and included visionary collaborations with such disparate artists as Philip Glass, David Byrne, Tom Waits, Kathleen Brennan, Lou Reed, and Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon. His audacious stage production of Moby Dick, created with British singer-songwriter Anna Calvi for Germany’s Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, received its triumphant US premiere at BAM in April 2026.
All books purchased at this event will be marked with a special Robert Wilson stamp.
Born in Waco, Texas, Robert Wilson was among the world’s foremost theater and visual artists, renowned worldwide for his poetically deliberate use of time, space, and light. His longstanding relationship with BAM commenced with The Life and Times of Sigmund Freud (1970), and included visionary collaborations with such disparate artists as Philip Glass, David Byrne, Tom Waits, Kathleen Brennan, Lou Reed, and Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon. His audacious stage production of Moby Dick, created with British singer-songwriter Anna Calvi for Germany’s Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, received its triumphant US premiere at BAM in April 2026.
All books purchased at this event will be marked with a special Robert Wilson stamp.
“A revealing stroll through a boundary-smashing career.”
—Kirkus
—Kirkus
ONSALE DATES
Tue, August 25 at 1pm
BAM Members and Patrons
Thu, August 27 at 1pm
General Public
BAM Members and Patrons
Thu, August 27 at 1pm
General Public
UPCOMING Performances
VENUE
TICKET INFORMATION
Event only tickets start at $35, or $67 with a copy of the book. All Orchestra and Mezzanine tickets automatically include a copy of the book. BAM Bundle and member discounts do not apply to this event.
Please note: All single ticket online and phone orders are subject to a $3 facility fee and an $8 handling fee per ticket. All orders at the box office are subject to a $3 facility fee per ticket.
Please note: All single ticket online and phone orders are subject to a $3 facility fee and an $8 handling fee per ticket. All orders at the box office are subject to a $3 facility fee per ticket.
All performances will adhere to protocols developed in accordance with New York State regulations and in consultation with medical professionals for the safety of our artists, audiences, and staff.
Leadership support for
BAM's strategic initiatives provided by the
Jerome L. Greene Foundation 
Leadership support for
BAM programming provided by
Leadership support for
BAM's strategic initiatives provided by 
