Born in Ireland and raised on the internet, Lelah Neary marries the disembodiment of the web to the physicality of live performance. She is a theatre-maker, a choreographer, and a performer.
An entertainer at heart, Lelah looks to compete with the instant sugar hit of social media through energetic performances. Death metal screaming, tap-dancing, ballet, amateur theatre, highculture and subculture are all united to produce everything from brief interventions on the street to evening-length performances in a white cube.
During her studies at the Zurich University of the Arts, Lelah performed at Hauser & Wirth Zurich; delivered a dance work at the Kunstmuseum Basel; and wrote, directed and produced a full length production which she staged at the Alte Reithalle Aarau. Since graduating she has performed at Berlin Art Week, Jungkunst and Les Urbaines. In 2026 she was nominated for the Kiefer-Hablitzel │Göhner Art Prize.
Grants, Nominations, Residencies
2026 Work and research grant for new solo work Wolfie from the city of Zurich — Arbeitsbeitrag der Stadt Zürich
2026 Nomination Kiefer Hablitzel │Göhner Art Prize
2026 Residency, Emerging Artists: CAMPO Ghent — Pro Helvetia
Selected performances
2026 Basel Social Club, Basel // Serenade 2 Our Laptops
2025 Les Urbaines, Lausanne // Laptop Peace (with Tomas Bashe and Alessandro Schneiter)
2025 Jungkunst, Winterthur // Laptop Peace (with Tomas Bashe and Alessandro Schneiter)
2025 Pinky, Dresden // Ultimate Download : a one-off performance by Lelah Neary (premiere)
2025 Maximal, Berlin Art Week Featured Night // Tecktonik Street Preacher
2025 Hauser & Wirth, Zurich // Goblin Mode
2025 ACT x Medardo Rosso, Kunstmuseum Basel // Serenade 2 Our Laptops (premiere)
2024 Die Diele, Zurich // Cr1ngedoctor X-Mas Medley: The Wolf of Long Street
2024 Fanfaluca, Alte Reithalle Aarau // Macht & Liebe im Mittelalter
2024 Open Studios Summer Academy, Salzburg // No More Ambient DJ Sets (premiere)
2024 ACT Basel, Basel SBB // Tecktonik Street Preacher (premiere)
Collaboration, performance work, commission
2026 The Hulk’s Garden with Lucca Süss, Liam Rooney and Una Jaggy (performed at Villa Renata, Basel)
2026 video work for Infinite Stage by Nicola Genovese (shown at Raleigh Chapel, London)
Education
2022-2025 Bachelor of the Arts in Fine Arts (with distinction)
2024 Summer Academy at Castle Hohensalzern in Salzburg, class of Mette Sterre