Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival will welcome seven works by TNB2S+ artists—a group that includes Trans, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit–identifying people, along with any artist who does not identify with the male and female binary. The Festival, led by Founding Artistic Director George Strus, will perform at Off-Broadway's Theatre Row October 10–16.
"Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival centers the voices and stories of artists in the Trans, Non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ communities by carving out space and providing resources to explore new works, all the while building community and reclaiming our stories and artistic license," says Strus.
"TNB2S+ theatremakers have long been misrepresented and underpaid for their work in the American theatre. In supporting and amplifying over 100 TNB2S+ theatremakers, it is vital that every creative decision be made by a member of the TNB2S+ community and each artist compensated equitably for their time and labor, making no less than New York's living wage of $21.50 an hour. Additionally, tickets for each of the presentations will be complimentary to ensure the works are available to anyone and everyone interested in joining or supporting the BTB community."
The free reading presentation will begin with Trans World by Ty Defoe, with direction by co-curator Dominique Ride and dramaturgy by co-curator Josephine Kearns. Set to perform October 10 at 7 PM, the play follows several Trans individuals who are picked to be filmed for a new reality TV show that has them creating a Hype House of their own.
Following is Twitch, presented October 11 at 7 PM. Written by Liliana Padilla and directed by Jack Ferver, the show follows a series of events including the disappearance of Doug Lemons, a rehab center under construction, a marriage falling apart, and more.
Roger Q. Mason's Hide and Hide will be offered October 12 at 7 PM, with direction by é boylan and dramaturgy by Gaven Trinidad. The drama takes place in 1980 Los Angeles and follows a recent Filipina immigrant, who moves to America in search of a movie-inspired dream, and a Christian conversion camp escapee.
Ruth Tang's Work Hard Have Fun Make History, directed by Kedian, will run October 13 at 7 PM. According to press notes, "[t]his play is not about Amazon, and certainly not about Jeff Bezos. It is also not about Elon Musk."
Nana, by Aziza Barnes, will be presented October 14 at 7 PM. Set in the Bronx, the work explores multi-generational paternal lineage, colorism, and substance abuse.
The final play reading will be Mara Vélez Meléndez's Thelma and Louise and The Time Machine, set to be directed by Sivan Battat. Set to perform October 15 at 7 PM, the work follows the duo from the iconic film on a new journey across the multi-verse as they revisit their relationship.
The festival will conclude with An Evening of Commissioned Monologues, presented October 16 at 7 PM in partnership with Broadway Licensing. The evening will feature new monologues by 15 TNB2S+ writers.
The festival is counseled by its voluntary advisory board Core Community, which includes Tony nominee Adam Rigg (The Skin of Our Teeth), Jonathan Larson Award-winning writer César Alvarez, New York Stage and Film’s artistic director Chris Burney, David Mendizábal, Guggenheim fellow Jen Silverman, Tony winner John Cameron Mitchell, Tony winner KO, formerly known as Karen Olivo, Jonathan Larson Award-winning poet Kit Yan, MJ Kaufman, Qween Jean, co-director of A.R.T. Risa Shoup, Grammy winner Ty Defoe, and Princeton Arts fellow Will Davis.
For more information and tickets, visit BTB-NYC.com.
