Raphaël Beau

Raphaël Beau (they/them), also known as l’apharé, is a gender-fluid, able-bodied performance artist and movement workshop facilitator. Over the past five years, Raphaël has developed two main art practices: HERE FOR A MOMENT which explores through performance the potential for collective action that arises from being together in a particular place at a specific time ; and PLAY AND ACT FROM WHAT IS HERE - OPEN PRACTICE a method of facilitating collective thinking through movement. Since the end of 2024, PLAY AND ACT FROM WHAT IS HERE has evolved into a platform for sharing practices and a laboratory for experimenting with ways of facilitating. Raphaël’s approach to performing and facilitating is based on somatic practices, improvisation, and instant composition. They have ten years’ experience in community organising and have developed a performance practice spanning fifteen years, starting in the south of France, continuing in Berlin and now in Helsinki. They organise and participate in various actions alongside social justice movements with other activists. Most recently they have been co-teaching a course IN PERFORMANCE MAKING with performance maker, dancer, and teaching artist Dash Che at Taidekoulu Maa, and joined the Queer Dance Group team of artists facilitators for the spring 2026.