Streaming Media

Abstract

This Independent Study project explores the experiences of professional theater artists who identify as transgender. I accomplished this purpose with an examination of trans creators’ published works and stories, interviews with seven trans artists currently working professionally in various areas of the theater industry, and the development of an original performance piece detailing my experiences as a member of this demographic. Through this multifaceted approach, I discovered that there are a number of common issues affecting trans theater artists, such as tokenism causing isolation from their community and biases influencing which stories are told. My interviewees offered solutions to these problems based on their previous experiences, most notably structural changes like including more trans people in production spaces and prioritizing works by trans artists. I integrated these observations into a script alongside anecdotes from my life, which I then performed as a one-person show. My reflections on this process indicate that while there may be differences between individual trans artists, we share common struggles and goals for our art and the future of our field.

Advisor

Baird, Emily

Second Advisor

Johnson, Michelle

Department

Communication Studies; Theatre and Dance

Disciplines

Acting | Gender and Sexuality | Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication | History of Gender | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies | Playwriting | Social Justice

Keywords

transgender, transness, gender identity, performance, theater, theater artists, interviews, devised performance, representation

Publication Date

2023

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2023 Sam Caley