A solo show. 60 minutes. The 1960s, 70s, 80s, 90s, etc. Life in the fast lane. Adulthood. Consequences. Love. Ambition. Love. The end. 

Acclaimed playwright and performer Leslie Ayvazian will present her powerful performance piece Mention My Beauty at the Frederick P. Rose Auditorium on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 1:00 PM. This performance is being held at the invitation of Sue Ferguson Gussow, professor of Advanced Drawing, and serves as a thought-provoking exploration for her students to consider alternative forms of self-portraiture beyond traditional drawing.

Mention My Beauty is a compelling performance that challenges the boundaries of self-expression and the ways in which we present ourselves to the world. By using performance as a medium, Ayvazian offers a nuanced perspective on beauty, identity, and self-representation—prompting viewers to rethink how they define and engage with self-portraiture in both art and life.

This event is not only a unique opportunity to witness Ayvazian’s artistic vision firsthand but also a chance for students to expand their understanding of the diverse ways in which artists approach the act of self-representation. Through her work, Ayvazian encourages reflection on what it means to claim space in the world and how we construct and deconstruct our own narratives of identity.

Leslie Ayvazian is an award-winning playwright, performer, and author known for her thought-provoking work in theater and performance art. With a career that spans decades, Ayvazian has been recognized for her innovative contributions to the world of contemporary performance. Her writing often explores themes of identity, personal history, and the intersection of beauty and vulnerability. 

Ayvazian has performed her work at renowned venues across the United States and internationally, gaining widespread acclaim for her intimate and evocative performances. She is the recipient of numerous honors, including grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York Foundation for the Arts. Ayvazian’s work has been lauded for its ability to provoke introspection while maintaining a sense of humor and humanity.

Ayvazian was recently invited to participate in a spring festival at New York Theatre Workshop in April, May, and June of 2026, where she will be performing Mention My Beauty four times a week for six weeks, with three other solo shows. 

This event is open to current Cooper Union students, faculty, and staff.