|
|
|
Written by Erin Frustaci
|
|
Thursday, 17 April 2008 |
|
|
|
|
Though many theatrical performances boast about being one of a kind, “The Tranny Roadshow” truly fits the bill. As co-organizer, Jamez Terry of Maine, would say, it’s simply something no one else is doing and isn’t something that is typically seen.
But that was the point all along.
Terry, along with Kelly Shortandqueer (yes, that’s the last name he uses) of Denver, started “The Tranny Roadshow” in 2005 because they wanted to go on tour. It didn’t take them long to discover just how many other transgender performers had similar dreams.
“A lot of trans-performing artists are trying to make it on their own,” Terry said. “This is a chance for people dealing with the same experiences to work together and reach a larger audience. It allows the audience to see the diversity that exists in the trans community.”
Beyond just looking for the best talent, Terry said performers are purposefully selected to represent a rage of experiences. The group is made up of individuals in their ’20s to late ’70s of both feminine and masculine identities, from various parts of the country with a variety of ethnic backgrounds and family structures.
Their performances are equally diverse. The format of the show is a series of acts which include music, dance, magic tricks, spoken word performances, puppetry and more. In addition to the nine touring performers, it is common for additional acts by local performers to be added. Some of the acts are light and humorous while others may evoke more serious emotions. Some are based on the life-experiences of the transgender performer and some are meant to be purely entertaining and fun.
“The core idea is all art is an expression of the self and if gender is a part of the self, then art is inseparable from gender expression,” Terry said.
This year’s series of shows, The Rocky Mountain Tour, begins April 19 and consists of an eight-day performance spree to colleges, community centers and other venues in Colorado and New Mexico. It will be the second time the tour has visited Fort Collins.
“We’ve toured all over the country,” Terry said. “We make it a point specifically to reach into small towns... Places like San Francisco have more access, but places that don’t have this sort of thing as often, need it more. We’ve been really well received everywhere we’ve gone.”
He said it’s common for members of the audience to come up to performers after a show to share their own personal experiences and how the performances related to their own lives. And while raising awareness is definitely part of the goal, Terry said the show is more about forming connections and enjoying life.
“I think possibly the most significant message comes out of this is not an illicit message at all,” he said. “Our show is absolutely about celebration. We are not just transpeople, but whole people.”
TO GO:
“The Tranny Roadshow” takes the stage at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 19 at the Lory Student Center Theater at Colorado State University. The show is free and open to all ages. For more information, visit www.trannyroadshow.org.
————— | Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. |
|
|  | "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth." | |
|  | We're not that bright, even though in our own little world, we're geniuses. We like 80s hair bands and one-hit wonders, but among us we have respectable tastes, too. Metallica, Iron Maiden, U2. Pursuit of all things trivial is a lifestyle, not just a game. We like some sports, love other sports, and can find something to say about anything. We watch TV and movies and we've read a book or two, even a few classics (Yes, Classic Comics count!)
We call it insight, you call it what you will. | |
|  | Felix Wong is an outdoor enthusiast living in Fort Collins. A mechanical engineer by day, he is especially passionate about bicycling, running, and backpacking. | |
|  | Hola Amigos! I'm Sandra. I like to believe that people are 70 percent good and 30 percent dumb. I'm stickin to that story. Reading this blog might make you want to be good, but probably just dumb. | |
|  | Donovan Henderson is editor of NEXTnc. | |
|  | Here at Nextnc we have some characters. Get a sneak peak behind the curtain and find out what amusing antics our staffers get themselves into on a weekly basis. | |
|  | What is up FoCo?
I am a recent college graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. After recieving my B.A. in English and Mass Communications this past August I moved down to Colorado.
I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and heavy metal. My hobbies include reading and writing, music, movies, and getting drunk. Some of my favorite contemporary authors include Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Kurt Vonnegut. My top movies are anything directed by Kubrick. I enjoy listening to anything that rocks.
Right now I am just trying to get to know Colorado and FoCo better. Mostly in order to find the best drink specials on each day that ends in Y. So if you know where I can get a cheap drunk on, let me know!
--Drew | |
|  | Life's little morsels of inspiration, observation and encouragement seen through the eyes of the Nextnc reporter.
| |
|  | Ms. Giles currently lives in Colorado where she stars in her own private reality show. She writes aphoristic accounts of her life, taken completely out of context, and embellished with characters and situations disguised to resemble something close to interesting. | |
|  | over and out | |
| | My name is Michelle Turley and I'm 28 years old. I live in Severance with my hubbie, Brandon. We have 2 dogs and a cat. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, and just being in the mountains. I like to cook, clean (go figure), flea market, and play poker. I have so much to say about poker... | |
|
|
