Streb: How to Become an Extreme Action Hero - Softcover

Called the Evel Knievel of dance, Elizabeth Streb intertwines the disciplines of dance, athletics, rodeo, the circus, and Hollywood stunt-work. She founded STREB in 1985, which performs internationally in theaters, museums, and town squares. She established S.L.A.M. (STREB Lab for Action Mechanics) in 2003, a factory space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which produces a cottage industry of extreme action performances and invites everyday people to wonder about movement, gravity, and flight.

"[A] dizzying, inspirational self-help memoir... Streb's riveting prose should provoke and inspire philosophy students, dancers, and athletes of all kinds." ―Publishers Weekly

"Fearlessness and intelligence combined―that is what makes Elizabeth Streb's work so potent and beautiful." ―Mikhail Baryshnikov, former artistic director of the American Ballet Theatre

"...it’s incredibly well written, blazingly articulate, brimming with ideas regarding space, time, movement―as if Martha Graham and Albert Einstein had a love child and named her Streb; like Batman and Robin gave her the secret code to how to explain all that happens behind KAPOW, SPLAT, and ZOWIE." ―A. M. Homes, author of The End of Alice

"Elizabeth courts danger, tricks the eye, and thrills the spirit. She is a dynamic force. She's superhuman. She's Superwoman." ―Trisha Brown, choreographer and visual artist

"in this inspiring and passionate book, ultra-tenacious Elizabeth shares with the reader some of her surrealist goals: leaving a room through the walls; never landing after jumping; and moving so fast that you stand still. Wow!" ―Philippe Petit, high wire artist

"[Streb]...has long been a pioneer in blending gymnastics, dance, acrobatics and sheer daredevil insanity, and many have seen her work as an exhibition of pure dance energy."―New York Times

"Streb is a glorious acrobatic adventure."―The Guardian

"Streb cooks up a vibrant stew that's part circus, part sporting event, part theater, part student recital, and part scrupulous time-motion-energy investigation. The neighborhood sniffs the aroma and crowds in the door."―Village Voice

"[A] dizzying, inspirational self-help memoir... Streb's riveting prose should provoke and inspire philosophy students, dancers, and athletes of all kinds." Publishers Weekly

"Fearlessness and intelligence combined that is what makes Elizabeth Streb's work so potent and beautiful." Mikhail Baryshnikov, former artistic director of the American Ballet Theatre

"...it’s incredibly well written, blazingly articulate, brimming with ideas regarding space, time, movement as if Martha Graham and Albert Einstein had a love child and named her Streb; like Batman and Robin gave her the secret code to how to explain all that happens behind KAPOW, SPLAT, and ZOWIE." A. M. Homes, author of The End of Alice

"Elizabeth courts danger, tricks the eye, and thrills the spirit. She is a dynamic force. She's superhuman. She's Superwoman." Trisha Brown, choreographer and visual artist

"in this inspiring and passionate book, ultra-tenacious Elizabeth shares with the reader some of her surrealist goals: leaving a room through the walls; never landing after jumping; and moving so fast that you stand still. Wow!" Philippe Petit, high wire artist

"[Streb] has long been a pioneer in blending gymnastics, dance, acrobatics and sheer daredevil insanity, and many have seen her work as an exhibition of pure dance energy." New York Times

"Streb is a glorious acrobatic adventure." The Guardian

"Streb cooks up a vibrant stew that's part circus, part sporting event, part theater, part student recital, and part scrupulous time-motion-energy investigation. The neighborhood sniffs the aroma and crowds in the door." Village Voice