The Mother

Cincinnati, Ohio based Chicana performance artist Claudia Pompeya is reaching the culmination of a three year effort as she premieres her first solo alternative clown show, THE MOTHER, at Asian Arts Initiative (1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia), running for a limited engagement September 13 through 15, 2025. The piece, which examines the ‘maternal’ archetype via absurd and playful chaos, is part of the Cannonball Festival 2025 lineup, a Philadelphia Fringe Festival hub, dedicated to risk-taking independent art and community conversation. Opening night for press is Sunday, September 14 at 3:30 pm.

Claudia Pompeya, writer and performer of THE MOTHER says: “So many of us carry a buried grief we can’t quite name. THE MOTHER meets that pain with humor, chaos, and care. Five years ago at FringeArts’ Blue Heaven, I was electrified by the alt comedy and clown I saw there. To now bring my own dreamlike work here feels both unreal and deeply honoring, this is where audiences expect the unexpected.”

A strange solo clown show written and performed by multi-hyphen performance artist Claudia Pompeya, THE MOTHER, via absurdist clowning and audience interaction, veils a fierce love for those never truly mothered. It creates a playful space for people to feel seen and safe enough to laugh at their own parental wounds.

Tickets to THE MOTHER are currently on sale by visiting https://phillyfringe.org/events/the-mother/. General admission is $25; pay-what-you-can tickets start at $5. More information on Claudia Pompeya can be found at claudiapompoms.com, and via Instagram at https://instagram.com/claudiapompoms.