About
Inner Stages
Inner Stages is an analytical exploration of performance and performativity, uncovering the subtle and overt enactments that shape cultural life. The project dissects the layers of identity, role-play, and the masks we wear in our interactions through original videos, images, and written pieces.
At its core, Inner Stages examines the tension between authenticity and the performative self, the dialogue between performer and audience, and the choreography of social interactions. It delves into the cultural, social, and psychological forces that shape our performances—both in art and everyday life.
The project also explores the evolving relationship between performance and technology, particularly the intersection of AI and choreography. Inner Stages considers the future of movement, embodiment, and creative agency in an increasingly digital world by investigating how artificial intelligence generates, influences, and disrupts performative expression.
Published across our website, Substack, and Instagram, Inner Stages blends video essays with critical writing, offering in-depth analysis and commentary on performance in its many forms. By bridging research and creativity, the project seeks to deepen our understanding of performance as a fundamental mode of human expression.
CONTACT
Dio silva
Dio (@mxdioo), the creator of Inner Stages, is a writer, researcher, and performance-maker exploring the intersections of culture, technology, and human expression. With a background in Theatre from Falmouth University and a Master’s in Performance Making from Goldsmiths, University of London, Dio’s work is rooted in critical inquiry and creative experimentation.
After nearly a decade in London, Dio is now based in Lisbon, developing a PhD on the impact of aesthetic capitalism on performance. Their research examines how economic forces shape artistic production, cultural consumption, and the ways we navigate performance in both physical and digital spaces.
Beyond traditional performance studies, Dio is deeply engaged with AI choreography and performance, investigating how artificial intelligence alters movement, embodiment, and authorship. Their work explores the tension between human agency and algorithmic influence, questioning the future of creativity in an increasingly automated world.
Dio’s approach is interdisciplinary, blending critical writing, video essays, and visual storytelling to dissect contemporary performance and its wider sociopolitical context. With a keen eye for cultural analysis, they navigate themes of performativity, digital aesthetics, and the evolving role of spectatorship.
Inner Stages is an evolving, experimental project—merging past writings with fresh perspectives on contemporary performance. Follow along on Substack and Instagram for performance reviews, cultural reflections, and critical essays, each offering a unique lens on the world we stage.
Donate
Donate
Support the journey of Inner Stages, a project dedicated to exploring the world of performance and identity. If the content resonates with you and you believe in its mission, consider making a donation. Every contribution is vital for the growth and continuation of this work, helping to create and share valuable insights.
Donate now and help keep the exploration alive. Your support is deeply appreciated!