The End of QUEER! & Lowry Lab Theatre

The stage was striked. The lines were said. The cheers were well deserved. The Lowry Lab Theatre stage is now empty. The space itself will be renovated into something else very soon.

At least we can say that we were the last to perform on its floors.

This afternoon was the last I thought, “Microaggressions. Genderqueer. Date. Bar. Bees. Me,” in regards to scene order in Act 1. Among other things.

The cast and crew were brilliant to work with; all each had their positive attributes that made the show what it was. A million thank yous to Gadfly, Katy, Manny, and Erica for giving me the opportunity to work with them. I will miss the constant presence of everyone, the glowing lights of cell phones as we waited for our cues, and “Gare-Bear”. The emptiness of downtown St. Paul after 5PM… that I won’t miss so much.

After the show, my Mom and Aunt Jenny took me to Applebees, in which I celebrated with a few Berry Sangrias.

Now, I leave Nick behind. It’s time. His words and passionate righteousness are now leaving my mind. My focus shifts forward.

Tomorrow – Threepenny Opera audition with Frank Theatre

This week – Second Sleigh rehearsals

End of this month – Second Sleigh performances & moving

In one month – London

This afternoon is the last, the final, performance of QUEER!

It’s been a bizarre thing to come to terms with this weekend. Shows must eventually end, theatre moves on, all that. It’s a type of mourning, a finality, though the casualties do not lie from bodies, but in moments and memories. Though it seems like we’ve been performing QUEER! for a long time, I admit that today especially snuck up on me.

It does not help in the slightest that the emptiness I feel towards the world presently is brewing inside me like a storm – for Trayvon, Marissa, CeCe, Kyle, and Cory, each for very different reasons.

I found out about the Zimmerman acquittal during Act 2 last night.

Whatever goodness the world has to offer is, once again, taking a very long break to all those who need it.

Today, at least, I hope to try and trudge on – remind myself of blood family coming to see the show. Try to think of positive things. Try being the operative word.

The show must go on.

Revealing and at Times Profoundly Moving, ‘Queer!’ is Truly at the Cutting Edge

Revealing and at Times Profoundly Moving, ‘Queer!’ is Truly at the Cutting Edge

Though Queer! is refreshingly nonacademic, it’s a vastly more intelligent take on varying views about gender and sexuality than certain so-called gender experts who frankly, hijacked the discourse years ago and turned it into elitist mumbo-jumbo. Gadfly gives us insight. Gadfly is populist, raw, clear, and forthright.

QUEER! Interview with Actors – Summer 2013

Learn more about Gadfly’s production of “QUEER!” What was the artistic process like? Where did the stories come from? What challenged the actors? Why is this work important?

The final weekend of QUEER! starts tomorrow! In the meantime, watch this video!

I’m the one in the tan, “Instant Human, Just Add Coffee” shirt, and you hear my voice at the very beginning.

QUEER! – A Teaser

Here is a teaser trailer for QUEER! a fantastic production put on by Gadfly Theatre in St Paul, Minnesota. This play deals very honestly with struggles the queer (LGBT) community faces in a real, engaging, and fun way. Catch it this weekend 11-14 July!

I’m the one in the very front center with the glasses.

Second Round of QUEER! (4/4)

Show #4 of 4 highlights:

– Before I went to the Lowry Lab, I spent a few hours this afternoon taking pictures of downtown St. Paul (in the style of Cabin Pressure’s travelling lemon). I should have realized early on that doing so in 80+ degree weather, while wearing my all black costume, was probably not the best decision… as beautiful as the pictures turned out.

– The carpet of the Lowry stage lobby was ripped out between the span of last night and tonight. Double u tee eff.

– A few of my friends made it to the show – which I didn’t know was going to show up today… so my involvement at the beginning of the show meant ignoring them, and during intermission I promptly apologized and explained that I was in character.

– Phaedra had a schedule conflict, so Manny took the stage in drag.

– The audience was quiet for some of the show, but afterwards were consistent in laughs and cheers, which is very good.

I think most, if not all of us, will be happy to have a few days off from QUEER! before tackling it once more for the final weekend. It’s strange that the end is coming so rapidly.

Second Round of QUEER! (3/4)

Show #3 of 4 highlights:

– Before the show, the youtube guy came around to film us. First was the round table discussion, then individual interviews. When I was interviewed, we talked about the “elusiveness” of my character, Nick.

– Phaedra arrived late for the house opening, so for a very little amount of time, we were all scrambling about trying to figure out how to re-arrange things – luckily nothing was cut, though a few things were improvised.

– My boyfriend, and my friend, Emma, were able to come to today’s show (and provided much needed obnoxious laughter).

– Well received from the audience; many of us were complimented on our performances.

Now I’m back at home, after being away for three days, in my pajamas, ready to call it a night. I was going to complete a poetry book review that I’m behind on, but my body is screaming for rest.

P.S. Got a Second Sleigh email during Act 2 – must be off book by 17th July. This will be an interesting week and a half, that’s for sure.

Second Round of QUEER! (2/4)

Show #2 of 4 highlights:

– The BEST audience we’ve had so far! They laughed at the right places, clapped after each piece, and participated a lot during Phaedra’s parts.

– My chosen family weren’t in the audience tonight, but they will be there tomorrow.

– Everyone in the cast seemed to be at their A game. It must have been the combination of it not being yesterday, the audience reception, and the fact that we were being filmed

– There were a few short interviews after the show with Bi Cities, and I shamelessly promoted the show

Tonight’s show was spectacular! I cannot wait to see it on DVD. I don’t know when, but eventually it will be on DVD.

Also still running on adrenaline in general. Bused over to the Guthrie earlier this afternoon to watch the dress rehearsal of Pride and Prejudice (very pretty set + costumes… a main “mad” man, however, didn’t wow me like Firth could in film), then bused back to Lowry Lab to make it by call time. Now, I’m pants-less, full from spagetti, and waiting for Mario Party to start. 

Until tomorrow!

Second Round of QUEER! (1/4)

Show #1 of 4 highlights:

– First time the audience applauded after each scene (the first time it happened, the entire cast backstage lifted up their heads in unison)

– First after show Q & A – one of the audience members wants to interview a few of the cast members before Sunday’s show for his youtube channel (including yours truly)

Overall, it was a lot to come back into after Pride last weekend AND the fourth holiday

Tomorrow will be very exciting because QUEER! will be filmed, and some of my chosen family will be there in attendance

Inspiration to bring my A game!

Especially after this completely honest review of the show from City Pages….

Week #2 of QUEER! Performances Soon!

Gadfly Theatre Production’s “QUEER!” has another round of performances this week, from Fri 5th July to Mon 8th July!

In case you need more incentive to see our illustrious show, we were positively reviewed by the City Pages blog, and by Midwest Bi* Activist.

The remaining Friday performances will include a Q&A with cast and crew after the show.

The wonderful thing about QUEER!, other than the fact that it brings the discourse of many identities within the GLBTQAI+ community, is that our performances are before the MN Fringe Festival (so then you won’t be conflicted about whether to see QUEER!, or the dozens of other shows offered).

Hope to see you there, lovelies! ^_^