Ritual Ceremony for Becoming Several Types of Beast

2024 | ritual ceremony for becoming a beast of necessity or of your choosing

In the spring of 2023, I undertook an unexpected transformation. I was not ready to encounter, let alone become, this new self, and in spite of earnest efforts, I was unprepared for the changes that quickly followed. To adapt, I grew a new skin. New language. New needs and new longings. Found new soft spots, voids into which my loved ones’ misunderstandings would fall. Found new loneliness. Found the bandaging words of strangers, my compatriots. Found a need to be seen in this new way of being.
Found none.
Made this.
- adapted from a project essay

Ritual Ceremony For Becoming Several Types of Beast is a seven part ritual ceremony devised to aid in personal transformations. It can be performed alone or with a support or guide, over any length of time, in many places, and using available materials. At present, the Ritual Ceremony can be experienced through a guidebook (currently available as a PDF) or short installation engagements. In the future, it will be accessible in book form and as a full scale participatory installation. Please contact katelynhalpern at gmail dot com for a copy of the PDF, or if you would like to underwrite future versions of this project.

Developmental support provided by Arts On Site Residency & Retreat and the Houston Met Dance’s Made In Houston program.