Thesis on Joan: Recent Episodes
Broadway Podcast Network
Thesis on Joan is a podcast dedicated to amplifying voices from the LGBTQ+ community in the New York performing arts scene and examining the industry from a queer perspective! Join fanqueers and theatre professionals Holly (they/them) and Meghan (she/her) as they sit down with groundbreaking theatre folx, from Brooklyn cabaret performers to people backstage and on Broadway. For many queers, theatre has been an escape, this podcast looks to have open conversations on where we’ve come from and where we’re headed as a community, while queering the canon along the way.Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.
Hosts Harrow and Meghan share Tony reactions, queer recommendations and Summer plans. We talk Ruthie Ann Miles’ spit takes, the Tony as a marketing tool, our love of Ariana Debose (host everything!), the Tony’s response to the writer’s strike, the Tonys continuing to sideline the creative awards, disappointments and celebrations of the big night, the Jimmy to City Center pipeline, the shows we wish got more attention (KPOP, Ain’t No Mo’) and, of course, spoilers for The Ultimatum. Our Action of the Ep is all the ways that you can support Drag Story Hour here in NYC!
Tony Moments:
Opening Performance
Kimberly Akimbo Performance
Some Like it Hot Performance
& Juliet Performance
Sweeney Todd Performance
Into the Woods Performance
Shucked Performance
Action of the Ep: Drag Story Hour
Web Site
Volunteer Sign-Up
Virtual Programming
Queer Culture Recs:
Mary’s Bar
The Ultimatum
Carmen Machado’s Writing on The Ultimatum
Episode Credits: Edited by Meghan Dixon
Thesis on Joan:
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Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
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Hosts Meghan and Harrow discuss a new round of queer theatre including the Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival readings of TRANS WORLD by Ty Defoe, Hide and Hide by Roger Q. Mason, and Overheard directed by L Morgan Lee, as well as Where the Mountain Meets the Sea by Jeff Augustin and I Wanna F*ck Like Romeo and Juliet by Andrew Rincón. Special guest and Harrow’s partner, Luci DeVoy joins in a deep dive into Roundabout Theatre’s revival of 1776 with her thoughts on representation, land acknowledgments, and where she expects them to show up next. A full transcription of this episode is available here.
Show Discussions:
Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival
TRANS WORLD by Ty Defoe
Hide and Hide by Roger Q. Mason
Overheard directed by L Morgan Lee
Where the Mountain Meets the Sea by Jeff Augustin
I Wanna F*ck Like Romeo and Juliet by Andrew Rincón
Listen to a reading on The Parsnip Ship - 32:40
1776 music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards, book by Peter Stone
Sara Porkalob Vulture Interview
References: Special guest Luci DeVoy: Instagram
Action of the Ep:
Call on Congress and the Biden administration to swiftly pass permanent protections for undocumented immigrants in our country.
National Domestic Workers Alliance: Sign the petition
New York Immigration Coalition: Write to your representatives
Queer Culture Recs:
Cruise with Ben and David
Queer Folx Book Club
Episode Credits: Edited by Harrow Sansom
Thesis on Joan:
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Artist, Activist, and Self-Proclaimed Sister to thee people Sis joins us from the road as she wrapped up playing Ado Annie in the National tour of Oklahoma! We talk about how Ado Annie has been with her for years, execution and expectations when it comes to revivals, and theatre as a mirror to realize the world that we’ve created. We find out why now is the time for Sis to be Elle Woods, discuss the challenges of creating your own work as a marginalized creator, not being OK with the state of theater, the lasting effects of the Trans March on Broadway, and the dangers of conflating experiences of trans folx. Sis is hands down the most excited we’ve ever had a guest get for Queer Culture Recs - let’s just say we should all have the best of both worlds. SIS: Instagram | Twitter
The Next Generation Project: Website | Instagram | Twitter
Our Offering
The Open House Project
Queer Culture Recs: Hannah Montana
Queer Gives: Next Generation Project - Donate
Episode Credits: Edited by Meghan Dixon
Thesis on Joan:
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Hosts Meghan and Harrow discuss all the queer shows they’ve seen recently (and not so recently)! Hear shout outs to Songs From Bark of Millions by Taylor Mac and Matt Ray, Gumiho by Nina Ki, The Nosebleed written and directed by Aya Ogawa, As You Like It adapted by Shaina Taub & Laurie Woolery, and Lavender Men by Roger Q. Mason. They go into deeper dives on Once Upon a (Korean) Time by Daniel K. Isaac and american (tele)visions by Victor I. Cazares! Plus, get behind-the-scenes thoughts on the making of this podcast, a discussion of the current “drag moment” trend in theatre, and what playwright Harrow and Meghan moved aside in order to take a photo with their show poster.
A full transcription of this episode is available here
Content Warning: Discussion of sexual assault between 27:16-29:13
Show Discussions:
Songs From Bark of Millions by Taylor Mac and Matt Ray
Gumiho by Nina Ki, directed by Kai Kim
The Nosebleed written and directed by Aya Ogawa
As You Like It adapted by Shaina Taub & Laurie Woolery, directed by Laurie Woolery
Lavender Men by Roger Q. Mason, directed by Lovell Holder
Once Upon a (Korean) Time by Daniel K. Isaac, directed by Ralph B. Peña
american (tele)visions by Victor I. Cazares, directed by Rubén Polendo
Upcoming Shows:
1776 - September 16, 2022-January 8, 2023, American Airlines Theatre
& Juliet - previews begin October 28th, Stephen Sondheim Theatre
I Wanna F*ck Like Romeo and Juliet - October 20-November 5, 2022, 59E59 Theaters
Turning Krasniqi - November 3- 6, 2022, AMT Theater
The Patient Gloria - November 16-December 4, 2022, St. Ann’s Warehouse
Episode References: Some Like It Not: Are Men in Dresses Still Funny?
Action of the Ep:
Fair Chance for Housing Campaign
Take action
Queer Culture Recs: A League of Their Own
Episode Credits: Edited by Harrow Sansom
Thesis on Joan:
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Victor I. Cazares, a non-binary Poz Queer Indigenous Mexican Artist, sits down with Harrow and Meghan to talk about the premiere of their show american (tele)visions, opening the New York Theatre Workshop season. We discuss the villains of capitalism and the art and politics that inspired the play, the incredible team that has brought the multi-media world of American (Tele)Visions to the stage, queers and the multi-verse, and a demand for messy realities on stage. Victor also discusses their role as a teacher and mentor of young playwrights, the sinister nature of linear storytelling, and a call for more Brown and Black Latine folx in theatre. We reveal to Victor how creepy stalker we can get with twitter feeds, we choose violence in our Queering the Canon, and discuss who gets to be our storytellers (spoiler: one is Tony Soprano).
Victor I. Cazares: Instagram | Twitter
American (Tele)Visions Learn More & Get Tickets
Queer Culture Recs: The Sopranos
Other Links:
Papa Was a Rodeo by The Magnetic Fields
PENAmerica Dreaming Out Loud
Queer Gives:
RAICES- The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education & Legal Services
Learn More
Support
Episode Credits: Edited by Meghan Dixon
Thesis on Joan:
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Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
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The Founding Artistic Director of the Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival (BTB), George Strus, joins us as we kick off the second half of Season 3! Hear from George about BTB, a communal, new play development hub for trans, nonbinary, two-spirit plus actors, directors, writers, dramaturgs, and stage managers, created by members of that community. Geroge discusses how BTB was inspired and created within a year, the incredible artists involved (including many past Thesis on Joan guests), what developmental choices they’re most proud of, the urgency and necessity of this kind of work, and the future of BTB. Hosts Harrow and Meghan check in after their summer hiatus to chat about Meghan’s honeymoon and Harrow’s name change! A full transcription of this episode is available here
Action of the Ep
Sign up to volunteer with a local organization!
SAGE
New York Civil Liberties Union
American Indian Community House
Theatre of the Oppressed NYC
George Strus: Instagram | Twitter
Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival: Instagram | Twitter
Tickets on sale Monday, September 26th
October 10-16th at Theatre Row
TRANS WORLD by Ty Defoe, Director Dominique Rider, Dramaturg Josephine Kearns
TWITCH by Liliana Padilla, Director Jack Ferver, Dramaturg Desiree (Des) Mitton
HIDE AND HIDE by Roger Q. Mason, Director é boylan, Dramaturg Gaven Trinidad
WORK HARD HAVE FUN MAKE HISTORY by Ruth Tang, Director Kedian Keohan, Dramaturg Lewis Fender
NANA by Aziza Barnes, Director Rad Pereira, Dramaturg Al Parker
THELMA AND LOUISE AND THE TIME MACHINE by Mara Vélez Meléndez, Director Sivan Battat
AN EVENING OF COMMISSIONED MONOLOGUES, Director L Morgan Lee, Dramaturg George Strus
Pride Plays
Queer Culture Recs:
RuPaul’s Drag Race
International Spin-Offs
Queen of the Universe
Monét X Change
The Real Housewives
Beyoncé’s Renaissance
Rina Sawayama
Demi Lovato’s Holy Fvck
Queer Gives:
Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival
Black Trans Liberation
Trans Entertainment Guild
The Okra Project
Legacy
Episode Credits: Edited by Harrow Sansom
Thesis on Joan:
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The incomparable Qween Jean, costume designer and activist, sits down with Holly and Meghan to talk activism, theatre design, and hopes for the future of queer liberation. We discuss designing for revivals versus new work, what makes a good collaborative relationship, not living with the rules, and creating freedom for the stories of BIPOC artists to be told without relying on adjacency to whiteness. In a relevant and prophetic conversation, Qween Jean breaks down the wars we are facing today that we can’t ignore, the direction towards real equitable change, the need to uproot and reimagine failing systems, multiple ways to support Black Trans folx, and the way for everyone to have the chance to rise.
Check the show notes to find out more about Lavender Men by Roger Q. Mason playing this Summer at Skylight Theatre in LA and streaming. Qween Jean: Website | Instagram Episode Mentions
Lavender Men by Roger Q. Mason
soft at MCC
Stonewall Protests
Bridges4Life
GLITS
Black Trans Travel Fund
For the Gworls
Black Trans Femmes Artist Collective
Queer Culture Recs: Queer Cook Outs!
Queer Gives:
Black Trans Liberation
Black Trans Liberation Kitchen
Episode Credits: Edited by Meghan Dixon
Thesis on Joan:
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Welcome to a Tony Award reaction episode with hosts Meghan and Holly! Hear about the highlights and shocks of the evening, their love of Ariana DeBose and Ruthie Ann Miles, the queer kiss you might have missed, the stress and joy for A Strange Loop, and lots of ideas for a new recurring section of the ceremony. They also discuss how it’s actively becoming impossible to watch the Tonys, what was overdone, the show they really want to see now, what they’ll pass on, and the honorary CoPros of a previous Tony Award winner. Finally, thoughts on Holly’s experience of a Korean production of Hadestown, Meghan revisiting A Strange Loop, and shoutouts to upcoming events and shows this summer!
References:
Hadestown at the Dream Theater in Busan, Korea
Closed June 5, 2022
A Strange Loop
On sale through October 30th at the Lyceum Theatre
Fat Ham
Now through July 17th at The Public Theatre
Six
On sale through January 8, 2023 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre
BroadwayCon
July 8 - 10th at the Manhattan Center + New Yorker Hotel
Dreaming the Queer Future: TGNC Representation & Playwrights in the American Theatre
HOT! Festival
July 2022 at Dixon Place
2022 Tony Award Nominations and Winners
Watch now on Paramount Plus
Dear Evan Hansen Best Musical win photo and video
Action of the Ep/Queer Gives:
Katelyn Jetelina - Your Local Epidemiologist
Firearms: What you can do right now
Swiss Cheese method for reducing firearm deaths in the US
Everytown Support Fund
Sign up to volunteer in your community with Everytown Support Fund
Donate to Everytown Support Fund here
Episode Credits: Edited by Holly Sansom
Thesis on Joan:
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Happy Pride! Join Holly and Meghan for a super queer round-up of everything we’ve seen recently and are excited to see this month. Beware - spoilers abound! We talk about the genius of Paula Vogel and the revival of How I Learned to Drive. We attempt to manifest a queer dating conversation between Ryan Haddad and Michael R. Jackson and share our love of fat protagonists as we talk about A Strange Loop. Holly has thoughts on The Minutes and we both try to unpack our experience at Which Way to the Stage. As queer psychics, we predict the transfer of Into the Woods and The ThanksGiving Play (we promise we recorded this weeks ago), dream cast and queer Into the Woods, and welcome Milky White into the queer canon. We also shout-out upcoming shows in June we’re excited to check out and our current queer culture recommendations.
Shows Discussed:
How I Learned to Drive
Now in performance at the Friedman Theatre on Broadway
Closing June 12th
A Strange Loop
Now in performance at the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway
Tickets on Sale through October 16th
Which Way to the Stage
Performances ended June 5th at MCC
Into the Woods
Broadway Transfer begins June 28th at the St. James Theatre
Performances June 28th-August 21st
Upcoming Shows:
Fat Ham
Through July 3rd at the Public Theatre
FRIGID New York Queerly Fest
Various performances throughout June
soft
Through June 26th at MCC Theatre
Criminal Queerness Festival
June 22nd-26th at Lincoln Center
Action of the Ep/Queer Gives:
NYCLU SRG Campaign
SRG Fact Sheet
Social Media Toolkit
Sign the petition
Queer Culture Recs:
Gentleman Jack
Man About Town: The Story of Murray Hall from The Gilded Gentlemen Podcast
Episode Credits: Edited by Meghan Dixon
Thesis on Joan:
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Hosts chat with two-time Tony nominated playwright, composer, and lyricist, Michael R. Jackson, creator of the Pulitzer Prize winning musical A Strange Loop which is up for 11 Tony awards! They discuss how A Strange Loop developed into an all Black queer and trans cast that manifested themselves to Broadway, how choreographer Raja Feather Kelly turns up the volume on people, queering religiosity, and the ongoing beef with the cast and a certain actor. Jackson also gets into what he hopes audiences are thinking about when seeing the show, what it feels like to now be a gatekeeper, the horror musical he’s currently working on, and advice for the next generation of artists. A full transcription of this episode is available through this link.
Michael R Jackson: Website | Instagram | Twitter
A Strange Loop on Broadway
The Patti Murin “Beef”
Creator References
Troy Anthony
C.A. Johnson
Thesis on Joan episode with C.A.
Keelay Gipson
Queer Culture Recs: Murder, She Wrote
Queer Gives: Musical Theatre Factory
Episode Credits: Edited by Holly Sansom
Thesis on Joan:
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We are thrilled to welcome the legendary Paula Vogel as our first guest on Season Three! We talk about the revival of How I Learned to Drive currently making its Broadway debut at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Friedman Theatre as well as other highlights from Paula’s incredible career. We talk gender collision, theater-viewing as obligation, the inspiring next generation of playwrights and theatermakers, subverting dangerous myths about queers through theater, reinventing Paula’s theatrical catalogue, how Holly followed in Paula’s footsteps, and increasing access to plays by BIPOC and queer writers through the virtual archive Bard at the Gate. Additionally, Paula gives us a ton of ways to support queer youth in Texas and Florida and wants your ideas on how else to create safe spaces. Stay tuned after the credits for very special surprise guests.
Paula Vogel: Website | Twitter
Paula Vogel’s Reading List
Bard at the Gate
Dr. Anne Fausto-Sterling’s Writing
Charlie Francis Chan Jr.’s Exotic Oriental Murder Mystery by Lloyd Suh
Unmerciful Good Fortune by Eddie Sanchez
The Drag by Mae West
Philip Kan Gotanda
Naomi Iizuka
The Country Wife by William Wycherly
Do a Paula Vogel Bake-Off!
Queer Culture Recs:
Cheryl Wheeler- Music / Concert Dates
Bush Tetras - Snakes Crawl / You Taste Like the Tropics
Queer Gives:
Donate to Bard at the Gate
Gay Pride Orlando - October 15, 2022
Equality Florida
TENT- Transgender Education Network of Texas
Episode Credits: Edited by Meghan Dixon
Thesis on Joan:
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Hosts Meghan and Holly kick off season three of Thesis on Joan and share how they’re queering up the format this year! They discuss shows they saw during the hiatus, including Wolf Play by Hansol Jung at Soho Rep, Company on Broadway, and a deep dive on Suffs by Shaina Taub at The Public. Also, get a sneak peek of all the shows they have booked and want to see so you can join in on the conversation.
A full transcription of this episode is available through this link.
Shows We Saw
Ring of Keys: Queering the Canon Concert Series at Joe's Pub
Wolf Play at Soho Rep.
Company at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
Suffs at The Public
Shows We Want to See
Seven Sins by Company XIV
KPOP at Circle in the Square Theatre
Justin Vivian Bond: Oh Mary, It’s Spring! At Joe’s Pub
Taylor Mac and Matt Ray: Songs from the Bark of Millions at Joe’s Pub
Shows We Are Going To See
for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf at the Booth Theatre
Strange Loop at the Lyceum Theatre
How I Learned to Drive at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Funny Girl at the August Wilson Theatre
Action of the Ep & Queer Gives:
ACLU Pledge: Support Trans Youth Now
Donate to Thrive Youth Center in San Antonio Texas
Queer Culture Recs:
Astrid and Lily Save the World - free on NBC!
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby
Episode Credits: Edited by Holly Sansom
Thesis on Joan:
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Legendary advocate, organizer and storyteller Cecilia Gentili joins us for the final episode of Season Two! We talk about her autobiographical show The Knife Cuts Both Ways and finding beauty in your story when the world wants to “reduce you to a ball of trauma.” She shares the joy of being a part of Pose (her first ever audition!) and some behind the scene stories from late night filming with Janet Mock. We talk more about her work being a resource and voice for the community in issues of gender equity through Transgender Equity Consulting and Cecilia closes us out with a call to action for all queer artists, reminding them of their power to shape the future.
Holly & Meghan talk queering the holidays and some work they’ve seen featuring previous guests: National Queer Theater’s LUCIÉRNAGAS written by Javier Rivera DeBruin and IS THIS A ROOM featuring Becca Blackwell. For our action of the ep, find out the many ways that you can get involved with The Center’s statewide advocacy coalition, RiseOut, The People’s Platform. Thesis on Joan will return for Season Three in Spring 2022! A full transcription of this episode is available through this link.
Action of the Ep: RiseOut, The People’s Platform
Contact Your Reps
Volunteer with the Action Team
Join the Mobile Advocacy Network
Check Out Advocacy Bootcamp
Cecilia Gentili: Instagram | Twitter Transgender Equity Consulting
Queer Culture Recs: Dangerous Liaisons
Queer Gives:
Solutions Not Punishment
Brave Space Alliance
St. James Infirmary
Episode Credits: Edited by Meghan Dixon
Thesis on Joan:
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This week’s guests, ayla xuân chi sullivan, Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko, and Roger Q. Mason come from the inaugural New Vision Fellowship for Black trans and gender non-conforming playwrights, a partnership with the National Queer Theatre and Dramatist Guild! As the Fellowship co-founder/lead mentor, Roger shares the genesis of the program, the need for work, mentorship, time, space, and the opportunity to just be. Fellows Nick and ayla discuss their plays in development, having a space where they can be their fullest selves, learning from each other non-hierarchically, and decolonizing the process of professional work. The trio also gets into trans identity as spiritual identity, theatre as a ritual, assumptions about what Black, queer, trans joy looks like, and the gift and journey of preparing the road for the next generation.
Hosts Holly and Meghan discuss how the last year and a half have affected their relationships to theatre, Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord, and signing up for free bystander, conflict de-escalation, harassment response, and resilience training with Hollaback! You can find a full transcript of this episode here.
Action of the Ep:
Sign up for a free Hollaback! Training!
Hollaback!’s mission is to end harassment in all its forms by transforming the culture that perpetuates hate and harassment. They carry out this mission by building the power of everyday people to create safe and welcoming environments for all. The free trainings include bystander intervention, conflict de-escalation, responding to and preventing harassment, and resilience.
GUESTS:
New Visions Fellowship: Instagram
ayla xuân chi sullivan: Website | Instagram | Twitter
Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko: New Play Exchange | Instagram | Twitter
Roger Q. Mason: Website | Instagram | Twitter
Afrofuturism with Carnegie Hall
Queer Gives:
Diamond Stylz: Marsha’s Plate Podcast | Black Trans Women, Inc
FIERCE NYC
National Queer Theatre - with a comment for the New Visions Fellowship!
Episode Credits: Edited by Holly Sansom
Thesis on Joan:
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Mei Ann Teo, theatre, film maker, and Associate Artistic Director of New Work at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, stops by the podcast to give Holly and Meghan a master class in civically minded art, church skits as artistic awakenings, queer plays written by “straight” identifying teens, liberation as a way to subvert the grand narrative and the life changing moment that set them on the path to being a devised theater creator. She shares more about the unique way that Oregon Shakespeare Festival @OSFashland is approaching the artistic director role and how we need to all come to terms with our addiction to producing Shakespeare. Most importantly they blow our mind by teasing the queer camp Little Shop of Horrors of our dreams that we’re unapologetically thirsty for.
Meghan and Holly talk about the New York Times article “As Broadway Returns, Shows Rethink and Restage Depictions of Race” and share some upcoming work from previous guests.
You can find a full transcript of this episode here.
Article Discussed As Broadway Returns, Shows Rethink and Restage Depictions of Race
Action of the Ep: Check out our previous guests’ creative projects!
Luciernagas with National Queer Theater at the 14th St. Y November 11-30th - written by prior guest Javier Rivera DeBruin
Chicken and Biscuits on Broadway through January 2, 2022- sound design by prior guest Twi McCallum
“Wait, Is This a Date?” - new podcast hosted by prior guest Drew Gregory
August Wilson’s Seven Guitars at Arena Stage in DC November 26-December 26th featuring prior guest Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi as Ruby
Mirrors by prior guest Azure D. Osborne-Lee premiering virtually on November 10, 2021
Maybe Burke in Maybzgiving: A Queernucopia at 54 Below November 23, 2021
Mei Ann Teo: Website | Instagram Oregon Shakespeare Festival Web Site
Queer Culture Recs:
Eye to Eye: Portraits of Lesbians by JEB
Queer | Art | Film Screenings at the IFC
Queer Gives: The Jean Moye Dark Fund - Learn More & Donate
Episode Credits: Edited by Meghan Dixon
Thesis on Joan:
Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
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Hosts chat with Miss Hazel Jade, director, dramaturg, playwright, librettist, literary consultant, and investor for Broadway and the West End! Miss Hazel shares her current focus to decenter Broadway, return to grassroots nonprofit regional theatre, and inspire the next generation of theatre-makers. She highlights the legal issues with investing in American theatre, her love of creating theatre for the West End and UK, and why we need to dissolve the Broadway League. She also shares how one of her many upcoming projects, The Regulars: A Folk Musical, will give us the queer and trans creative team, cast, and bar of our dreams. Holly and Meghan discuss the 2021 Tony Awards and some action steps to help end solitary confinement and reduce the incarcerated population in New York City and State. You can view a transcript of this episode here.
Action of the Ep:
New York Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement (CAIC)
HALTsolitary Campaign - Humane Alternative to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act
Phone to Action Tool to Email, Tweet, & Call City Council Speaker Corey Johnson to urge him and the city council to truly end solitary confinement in New York City
VOCAL-NY - working to end mass incarceration by ending discriminatory and abusive policing practices, reducing the number of people incarcerated, and removing barriers to jobs, housing & voting for people with conviction histories
Miss Hazel Jade: Website | Instagram | Twitter
The Regulars: A Folk Musical Website | Instagram
Queer Culture Recs:
The L Word
Gossip Girl
Ridley Jones
Queer Gives:
The Trevor Project - Donate here!
Episode Credits: Edited by Holly Sansom
Thesis on Joan:
Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
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Today we sit down with playwright, aerialist, and mother of three dogs, Queerean Nina Ki! We discuss the extra labor that goes into submitting as an artist of color, acting in your own plays (because you’re the only person who knows Korean), writing horror (Asian style), finding inspiration from unlikely sources on Netflix, queering deeply upsetting Korean folk tales, integrating aerial work into musicals, looking for Queerean representation in media, and Holly has their bi-annual podcast Buffy fan moment with Nina.
We also discuss our thoughts ahead of the Tony Awards, our return to Broadway seeing Wicked the musical and how you can help raise awareness for missing LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals.
You can view a transcript of this episode here.
Action of the Ep:
Action & Awareness for Queer and BIPOC Missing Persons
Further Reading
Why Cases of Missing Trans Individuals are Rarely Solved
Media Bias in Missing Persons Cases
Not our Native Daughters
Trans Doe Task Force
MMI People Who Are Missing
Nina Ki: Website | Instagram
Soft Jade, A Radio Play - Yale Summer Cabaret
IAMA Theater - Broken English
Queens Theater - Broken English, Primary Colors, One Small Step
Queer Culture Recs:
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
Monstress by Marjorie Liu
The Half of It - Netflix
Queer Gives:
Venmo - @FCFilms
Instagram - @DecolonizeAcupuncture
Episode Credits: Edited by Meghan Dixon
Thesis on Joan:
Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
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Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
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Hosts Meghan & Holly chat with Twi McCallum (she/they/he), the first woman of color sound designer of a Broadway show! Hear how Twi came to work on their Broadway debut, Chicken & Biscuits (previews begin TOMORROW, September 23, 2021), the history of women and POC sound designers on Broadway (not many), how things have changed since Twi published an open letter to the theatre community last year, and her concerns for the future. They also share their love of designing musicals, how she manifested more musical projects, the difference between sound designers and composers, thoughts on virtual theatre, and his dream role in film production. Holly and Meghan also check-in about their upcoming trip to a Broadway show and some ways to fight for reproductive justice.
You can find a transcript of this episode here.
Action of the Ep:
Tell your members of Congress to support the Women’s Health Protection Act
Sign petition from Planned Parenthood
Twi McCallum: Website
Open Letter to the Theatre Community on Hiring Black Designers and Creatives
Chicken & Biscuits - Circle In The Square Theatre
It Came From Outer Space - Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Queer Culture Recs: Pose
Queer Gives:
Qween Jean: Website | Instagram | Black Trans Liberation | Venmo - @Miss_Jean
Donja R. Love: Instagram | Twitter | Write It Out! - Donate
Episode Credits: Edited by Holly Sansom
Thesis on Joan:
Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We’re back with the hilarious and insightful actor and playwright Ryan J. Haddad to kick-off the second half of Season Two! Ryan’s show Hi, Are You Single? was a pandemic, digital theater high point for us - we go into the backstory and creation of this piece and what it was like to tell stories about connections during COVID. Ryan also (maybe accidentally?) announces his next show coming in 2022, Dark Disabled Stories. We also discuss radical accessibility, exploring ableism in Dark Disabled Stories, the lack of true depictions of disabled stories, the sinister nature of tearjerkers, frozen custard and other Northeast Ohio hotspots, and an upcoming opportunity to go on a date with Ryan. Meghan and Holly also encourage you to go out and patronize your queer spaces! Cheers, queers! You can find a transcript of this episode here. Action of the Ep:
Eat, drink and be queer at your local Queer hangs!
Lesbian Bar Project
Alibi Lounge
Ryan J. Haddad: Website | Instagram | Twitter Woolly Mammoth 2021-2022 Season
Queer Culture Recs:
Megan Stalter at New York Comedy Festival
Megan Stalter: Twitter
Otherworld - Holly’s Columbus pick!
Queer Gives:
Follow Imani Barbarin: @crutches_and_spice
Imani Barbarin Patreon
Episode Credits: Edited by Meghan Dixon
Thesis on Joan:
Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wrap up Pride month with playwright and impact producer, Javier Rivera DeBruin, and hosts Meghan and Holly! Javi discusses how queerness, magical realism/fantasy/scifi in theatre allows a unique opportunity for anything to happen, the dynamics of family in their writing and in the theatre community, and why theatre is the Grey Gardens of the arts. Learn what Javi does as an Impact Producer for documentaries like DISCLOSURE and TRANS IN TRUMPLAND, practices that theatre could adapt from documentaries, and the rewards of contributing to the counter narratives to the recent attacks against trans youth.
Holly and Meghan also discuss upcoming shows in July and how you can support the Equality Act! Upcoming Shows:
Trans Moses at Ars Nova - Created & Performed by Christian Luu
Brother, Brother at NYTW - by Aleshea Harris, directed by Shayok Misha Chowdhury
Action of the Ep:
Call and email your Senators to support the Equality Act
Javier Rivera DeBruin: Website | Instagram | Twitter
Parsnip Ship Radio Roots Writers’ Group
DISCLOSURE
TRANS IN TRUMPLAND
Queer Culture Recs:
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
Queer Gives:
Third Wave Fund - DONATE
Sex Worker Giving Circle
Thesis on Joan:
Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
You can find a full transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Celebrate Pride with National Queer Theater’s Criminal Queerness Festival! Hosts are joined by director, playwright, actor, teaching artist and National Queer Theater (NQT) Artistic Director Adam Odsess-Rubin and playwright, dramaturg and Co-Producer of the Criminal Queerness Festival Adam A. El-Sayigh. In addition to the trio of shows for this year’s Criminal Queerness Festival we talk about fighting for queer liberation through art, queerness as a political act, a producing theater’s responsibility to artists, the many incredible programs offered by NQT, and the trials and tribulations of producing outdoor theater. Meghan and Holly talk about their dream pride celebrations (it’s not in June), pride celebrations happening this month, the work of Communities United for Police Reform and the MaYi Theater’s production of ONCE UPON A (KOREAN) TIME by Daniel K. Isaac and directed by Ralph B. Peña.
ONCE UPON A (KOREAN) TIME: Show Information
National Queer Theater:
Web Site
Get Tickets for the Criminal Queerness Festival
THIS IS NOT A MEMORIZED SCRIPT, THIS IS A WELL-REHEARSED STORY By Dima Mikhayel Matta, Directed by Em Weinstein
<> By Victor I. Cazares, Directed by Borna Barzin
LAYALINA By Martin Yousif Zebari, Directed by Sivan Battat
NQT Programs
Adam A. El-Sayigh
Web Site
Instagram (for charcuterie gold)
Adam Odsess-Ruben Instagram
Action of the Ep
Communities United for Police Reform
Take Action: Budget Justice
Dyke March
New Marshal Training Information
June 12th-13th - Haircut Fundraiser at Hairrari
Queer Liberation March
Queer Culture Rec:
Genera+ion
Veneno
It’s a Sin
The Circle (Season 2)
Queer Gives: National Queer Theater - Donate
Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, hosts chat with filmmaker, theatremaker, and writer Drew Gregory! Drew shares about the short she made in quarantine, “The First Time”, reminisces about directing immersive theatre immediately after coming out, and giving young people the trans representation in media she did not have. As a writer for Autostraddle, Drew discusses the freedom of writing for queer indie media, finding the one second of queerness in the In The Heights trailer, and assigns us the best kind of homework, to watch her queer media recommendations. Hosts Holly and Meghan discuss more thoughts on the return of in-person theatre and Chonburi International Hotel and Butterfly Club written by and featuring Shakina Nayfack and directed by Laura Savia on Audible.
Show Discussion:
Chonburi International Hotel and Butterfly Club written by and featuring Shakina Nayfack, directed by Laura Savia, produced in collaboration with Williamstown Theatre Festival
Narrated by: Shakina Nayfack, Kate Bornstein, Annie Golden, Telly Leung, Jason Tam, Bianca Leigh, Ivory Aquino, Pooya Mohseni, Samy Figaredo, Angelica Ross, Liz Lark Brown, Ita Segev, Dana Aliya Levinson
Action of the Ep:
Upcoming NYC voting dates
Saturday, June 12, 2021 - early Voting begins
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 - absentee ballots must be requested
Tuesday, June 22, 2021 - primary election
Tuesday, November 2, 2021 - general election
NYC Registered Voter Search
Find Your Pollsite and View a Sample Ballot for Democratic Primary elections!
Research candidates for Mayor, City Council, District Attorney, Cit Comptroller, Borough President, and more!
Learn about the new Ranked Choice Voting
Gothamist 2021 Voter Guide
Theater in Asylum’s 2021 Voter Guide
Drew Gregory: Instagram | Twitter | Autostraddle
“The First Time” - short from Drew Gregory
“This Is an Essay About Penises”
“The Poet’s Choice” - essay about Portrait of a Lady on Fire
“From “Calamity Jane” to “The Prom”: A History of Queer Women in Movie Musicals”
Holy Camp!
The 200 Best Lesbian, Bisexual & Queer Movies Of All Time
House of Hummingbird
Alice Junior
The Watermelon Woman
Mommy is Coming
Eva & Candela
Second Star on the Right
“Sundance 2021: “4 Feet High” Is a Monumental Work of Queer Disabled Media”
Queer Gives:
Trans Justice Funding Project - Donate!
Thesis on Joan:
Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
You can find a full transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The multi-talented Dionne McClain-Freeney is a musical theatre septuple threat - pianist, composer, lyricist, choral and musical director, arranger, singer and teaching artist. Join Meghan & Holly as they sit down with Dionne to discuss her many roles in the theater world, musical theater as a medium rather than a genre, the importance of “working it out” in a collaboration, genre-fluidity, love song lyrics that make her swoon, uplifting the next generation of musical theater creators, redefining success in theater, faith and spirituality as a queer person, the beauty in the mundane lives of queers, and our shared enduring love of Anybodys. Meghan and Holly also discuss the LAST GASP WFH, written and performed by Peggy Shaw and Lois Weaver of Split Britches and presented by La Mama and shout out Rock Steady farm.
Dionne McClain-Freeney:
Maestra Music Profile
Into the World - from THIS ONE GIRL’S STORY
Last Gasp WFH - Split Britches Through May 31, 2021 Streaming
Action of the Ep
Rock Steady Farm - Web Site
Black Farmers United - Web Site
Queer Culture Rec: Soul Summit- Instagram
Queer Gives:
Mizz June
The Audre Lorde Project
Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
A full transcript of this episode is available here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In Thesis on Joan’s first duo interview, musical theatre writing team Melissa Li (she/her) and Kit Yan (they/she/he) check in with hosts about the recent rise in anti-Asian violence, how they’ve grown as creative partners over a decade, and what our responsibility is to our elders even when they’re part of the problem. Kit and Melissa also discuss how they healed their friendship through writing the musical Interstate, met the community they now write for while touring to 32 states, and what to do when casting directors tell you they can’t find someone for a role. Get your athletic wear ready for their next musical, Miss Step, with an entirely trans lead cast telling the story of the boring and remarkable life of a trans person, the importance of queer joy, and living our best lives.
Hosts Holly and Meghan discuss nonbinary erasure and ciswashing of Jagged Little Pill and their thoughts on the Ars Nova Vision Residency of The Women, created by L Morgan Lee and Raja Feather Kelly.
Content Warning: 18:18 - 19:10 Mention of sexual assault, rape, death
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Broadway’s Jagged Little Journey Toward Nonbinary Inclusion by Christian Lewis
Show Discussion:
Ars Nova Vision Residency of The Women
Created by L Morgan Lee & Raja Feather Kelly
Featuring works by Kirsten Childs, Dane Figueroa Edidi, Donnetta Lavinia Grays, Christine Toy Johnson, Bianca Leigh, Carmen LoBue, & Nia Witherspoon
Directed by Raja Feather Kelly
Featuring Dane Figueroa Edidi, Kim Exum, Jordan Ho, Lacretta, L Morgan Lee, Ronald Peet, Aneesh Sheth
Action of the Ep:
March on Broadway: @randomblackgirllll, @50milerunforjusticeprotest, @papimagic
March on Broadway Demands
Melissa Li and Kit Yan:
Melissa Li: Website | Instagram | Twitter
Kit Yan: Website | Instagram | Twitter
Interstate website
Queer Culture Rec:
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
Queer Gives:
East West Players - Donate here
No Place For Hate • EWP responds to rising anti-Asian violence
Thesis on Joan:
Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
A full transcript of this episode can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Maybe Burke has been all over your TV this pandemic! In our third episode of the season, Meghan and Holly sit down with the award-winning actor, writer and human rights advocate! We talk about the many ways to identify as a theatre-maker, the dangers of producers auditioning trans actors to “check a box,”, the glamours of screen work (umbrella PAs?), why this is now a Victor Garber stan podcast, how we all wish theater was better to us, shutting up and listening in order to be an advocate, and why some of our favorite musical theater characters should be trans! Meghan and Holly give updates on their pups and discuss the Women’s Project Theater, in collaboration with Red Bull Theater, production of GALATEA by MJ Kaufman and directed by Will Davis.
Maybe Burke:
Website
GALATEA
Show Information
MJ Kaufman
Action of the Ep NYC Community Fridges
Queer Culture Rec:
Redefining Realness by Janet Mock
Surpassing Certainty by Janet Mock
Janet Mock’s Website
Queer Gives:
The Transgender Training Insitute
Learn More
Donate - Website
Upcoming Webinars
Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
You can find a full transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Critic and cheerleader, Jose Solís chats it out with hosts Holly and Meghan this week! A critic at the age of 16, Jose shares how to become an authority on things we’re “not allowed” to be a part of and why he has his matches ready (fuck the Tonys). By creating the BIPOC Critics Lab and Token Theatre Friends podcast, Jose works to disrupt the white supremacist structure in criticism, queer the relationship between artists and critics, remove barriers, and teach critics how to start conversations, not end them. Holly and Meghan also discuss the last shows they saw in person, what they’re looking forward to with theatre returning, and Parity Production’s 2019 Parity Commission winner, CERCLE HERMAPHRODITOS by Shualee Cook, directed by Ludovica Villar-Hauser.
Show Discussion:
CERCLE HERMAPHRODITOS by Shualee Cook, directed by Ludovica Villar-Hauser
Action of the Ep:
Red Canary Song
Statement about Atlanta shooting
Thread uplifting Atlanta shooting survivors and families' direct funding requests
Jose Solís:
BIPOC Critics Lab
Token Theatre Friends Podcast
Queer Culture Rec:
Kylie Minogue - DISCO
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Queer Gives:
Latino Equality Alliance
Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES)
Thesis on Joan:
Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
You can find a full transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome back, queers! The incomparable L Morgan Lee is our first guest of Season Two! Join Holly and Meghan as they talk to L Morgan about making space in developing projects, the Pulitzer situation, intersectional change, always being a student, the demands on musical theater actors, the genius of Michael John LaChiusa and searching for L Morgan’s personal George Seurat. In this episode we discuss the productions HI, ARE YOU SINGLE? By Ryan J. Haddad, directed by Laura Savia and Jess McLeod, and presented by Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in association with IAMA Theatre Company. We also discuss THE BLACK QUEENS SCREEN TESTS written and directed by Jerome A. Parker, A Patterson Projects Workshop Production sponsored by the Tank NYC and produced in conjunction with Alan K. Schuster.
L Morgan Lee:
Website
HI, ARE YOU SINGLE?
Show Information
Ryan Haddad- Website
THE BLACK QUEENS SCREEN TESTS
Show Information
Patterson Projects Inc- About
Queer Culture Rec:
Veneno
Real Housewives
Fate: The Winx Saga - Netflix
Queer Gives:
LEGACY: A BLACK QUEER PRODUCTION COLLECTIVE
Donate - Website
Learn More - Instagram
Our Dogs!
Business
Indigo
Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
You can find a full transcript of this episode through this link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We're (almost) back, queers! Season Two of Thesis on Joan premieres this month, March 2021! Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join us for our season finale episode in which we get to talk to the artist who coined the name for our podcast, writer and actor Lisa Kron! We discuss Lisa’s early artist days and the “living culture” of WOW Café as well as the origins and almost European tour of the Five Lesbian Brothers. This leads us to the importance and rarity of queer spaces, queer identity outside of the patriarchy, the incandescent and creative life of the subculture, and the sanctification of a chosen family. In our discussion of Fun Home, we get to hear excerpts from Lisa’s childhood diary and about the autograph line confessions at the Fun Home stage door. Lisa reflects on the intersection of art and activism and her family history in light of today’s political climate and provides some pre-election insight that’s still prescient to our presidential transition time. We leave you this season with the reminder, as Lisa says, of “our power to create the future.” Be powerful and keep it queer.
Lisa Kron: Website
Queer Culture Rec:
AOC Sunrise Speech
Gentleman Jack - HBO
Great British Bake-Off (specifically Noel Fielding) - Netflix
Taskmaster - Amazon, Youtube
Queer Gives:
Lesbian Herstory Archives
Outright International
Georgia Senate Runoff Campaigns to Support:
Jon Ossoff
Raphael Warnock
Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
You can view a transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In our season one penultimate episode, hosts Meghan and Holly talk with Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi. As a performance artist, author, educator, advocate, choreographer, priestess, speech writer, playwright, and healer, Lady Dane takes us through her teenage years creating cabarets and if you’re a fan of WAP, recommends some nasty songs from her Bad B Medley. She shares some past and upcoming projects and how she leverages her access to fight against white supremacy and ask for what she feels is necessary. Join her call to action of advocating for Black trans women and ask yourself who do you want to be and what do you want the place where you work to be?
Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi: Website | Instagram | Twitter
Additional Mentions:
Pull Up to The Bumper by Grace Jones
Slow Tongue by Millie Jackson
All the Way Lover by Millie Jackson
Lady Dane’s books
Long Wharf Theatre’s Black Trans Women at the Center
Baltimore Center Stage
Theatre Alliance
Queer Culture Rec:
P-Valley
Lovecraft Country
The Black Trans Prayer Book
First gay marriage in Marvel First Gay Wedding in ‘Astonishing X-Men’
Queer Gives:
For the Gworls
The Okra Project
Black Trans Travel Fund
Marsha P. Johnson Institute
Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
You can find a transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today our guest is none other than the interdimensional Aneesh Sheth! We talk to Aneesh about creating during quarantine, making Shakespeare accessible and relevant (and Bollywood infused, of course), inhabiting many roles as an artist, the magic of Fun Home (we didn’t bring it up, we swear!), trans folx in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, what we really need to see when we talk varied representation and why your quarantine queer culture indulgence should be Aneesh’s new vlog!
Aneesh Sheth: Website | Twitter | Instagram
Queer Culture Rec from Aneesh: The News! Stay Informed! Aneesh recommends CNN.
Queer Gives:
South Asians for Black Lives Matter- Instagram & Web Site
Black Trans Femmes in the Arts Collective - Instagram & FB & Web Site
Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
You can find a transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Surprise! Join Holly & Meghan on this special mini episode as they talk election hopes & fears and queer culture comfort. They’ll provide a quick fix of bisexual pirates, queer sci-fi, dog talk and road trip paranoia before tomorrow’s election. Get out and vote and we’ll be back on November 11th with our regularly scheduled programming with the incomparable Aneesh Sheth!
Queer Culture Rec:
Tik Tok Birates
San Junipero - Netflix Black Mirror: Season 3 Episode 4
HalloweenDog on Instagram
Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hosts Meghan and Holly keep it in the working family this week with Holly’s co-worker, Sulu LeoNimm, a Theatre of the Oppressed NYC (TONYC) Joker and Interim Executive Director, actor, director, and parent of 2 small kids. Hear about Sulu’s very serious start in drag performance that eventually led to an Asian musical mashup drag show in the back of straight bars. We get to dive into Peg-ass-us, a romantic sex-ed burlesque they created, performed, and toured with their real-life partner (and yes, it’s about what you think it’s about) and how their relationship with theatre has changed since becoming a parent. Learn more about TONYC, how they are shifting the nature of their work, how TONYC is different from other theatre companies, and how to approach administrative tasks with care, including the difference of getting something done right versus getting it done in a way that serves the needs of the people involved.
Sulu LeoNimm: Twitter
Theatre of the Oppressed NYC: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Additional Mentions:
Ali Forney Center
Hetrick-Martin Institute
Augusto Boal - created Theatre of the Oppressed (TO)
Paulo Frierie - works inspired TO
Queer Gives:
Trans Boxing - become a Patron to support their new space!
Queer Culture Rec:
Samuel Delaney
Octavia Butler
Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
You can find a transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On our most bookish episode yet Holly and Meghan sit down with award-winning Black queer theatre maker and founder of Roots and River Productions, Azure D. Osborne-Lee! Join us as we chat Black sci-fi, sharing stories with family, being a weird kid, our queer night missed connection with Azure at their show Mirrors, the importance of paying artists, fat love interests, the emotional core of Worst Cooks in America and making big queer announcements at family gatherings. Azure explains why Shakespeare needs to take a back seat and why non-profit orgs should be putting their budgets where their mouth (mission statement) is!
Azure D. Osborne-Lee: Website | Twitter | Instagram
Queer Culture Rec from Azure:
N.K. Jemisin
Escape Pod
Work Cooks in America
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency - Netflix
Queer Gives:
Roots and River Productions - donate and support!
Take Action! Voting Dates - New York State (if out of NYS, please check local dates!)
Oct 9th - Register to Vote
Oct. 27th - Request Absentee Ballots
Nov. 3rd - Postmarked Date, Return In Person
If you are voting in NYS please vote for Biden/Harris under the Working Families Party so they can maintain their spot on the ballot in the future.
Democratic Senate Candidates to Support in Close Races:
Arizona: Mark Kelly
South Carolina: Jaime Harrison
Justice for Breonna Taylor:
Donate to the Louisville Community Bail Fund
Call:
502-574-7111 or 502-574-2111 - Louisville Police Department
502-696-5300 - Special Prosecutor State AG Daniel Cameron
(502) 574-2003 - Mayor Greg Fischer
(502) 564-2611 - Kentucky Gov. Andy Breshear
(502) 574-2136 - Police Public Integrity Unit
Demand:
Immediately fire and revoke the pensions of the officers that murdered Breonna.
Divest from LMPD and Invest in community building.
Immediate resignation (or impeachment) of Mayor Greg Fisher.
Metro Council ends use of force by Louisville Metro Police Department. Police shootings are gun violence.
Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
You can find a transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hosts Meghan and Holly receive a virtual fridge tour and so much more from polyspirited Artist Diana Oh. Learn about Diana’s doula in birthing art, how they define chosen family, and why her art is so big, sparkly, colorful, and bombastic. Diana also gives us some advice on how to find some of the joy from Infinite Love Party during quarantine and some initial steps to salvage the Gr8 American Theatre. Before the interview, Holly and Meghan check-in about their favorite aspects of making the podcast and what’s been getting them through 2020.
Diana Oh: Website | Instagram
Additional Mentions: Korean Queer & Trans National Network
Queer Gives:
API Rainbow Parents
Developing Artists
Queer Culture Rec:
Harney & Sons Fine Tea
PEN15
A Black Lady Sketch Show
Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
You can access a transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On a “We all escaped from Ohio” special edition of Thesis on Joan- your friendly neighborhood Schmerm, Becca Blackwell, joins your favorite buckeye queers, Holly and Meghan, to talk labels, imagining Midwest queer communities, the many reasons Holly and Becca are destined to be friends, that paradox of trying to understand the gender binary (through comedy, of course!), cutting your hair and joining the circus, Daoism and facing the dreaded “I just don’t know what to do with you.” Hear more about Becca’s experience working on Hurricane Diane and how dispelling the myth of gatekeepers can help us fix the American Theatre!
Becca Blackwell: Website | Instagram
This episode contains mentions of sexual trauma, please see the time codes below to skip these portions of the episode: 3:30-4:20 34:33-34:43 50:23-50:39
Queer Resources:
Dixon Place
Bushwick Starr
SoHo Rep
Queer Culture Rec from Becca:
High Maintenance
Schmermterion Collection
Queer Gives:
Callen Lorde
Sylvia Rivera Food Pantry- Volunteer or Donate
Mutual Aid for Sex Workers of Color
Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
You can access a transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tune in this week with Meghan and Holly as they talk with interdisciplinary artist Ty Defoe about breaking out of binaries as a two-spirit Indigiqueer person and finding balance between safe and brave space in theatre. Ty also speaks on being “genre fluid,” building just systems to create justice on stage with projects like Broadway’s Straight White Men, and imagining queerness seven generations from now.
Ty Defoe: Website | Instagram | Twitter
Ty’s Work:
Indigenous Direction
artEquity
All My Relations - GIZHIBAA GIIZHIG | Revolving Sky
Queer Culture Rec from Ty: Hot Comb by Ebony Flowers
Queer Gives:
American Indian Community House
Brooklyn Community Pride Center
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
You can read a transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join Meghan and Holly as they sit down with Tony Award winning producer extraordinaire Sally Cade Holmes as she navigates producing in the age of digital theater. We talk about our mutual love of drag kings, why strong female characters in musicals are probably queer, Holly’s go-to fourth date spot in 2014-2015, the need for queer mentors, and living in the discomfort in 2020.
Support Sally Cade! Website Instagram - @sally_cade
Pickle the dog - @pick1e__
Sally Cade Projects: Play On Shakespeare Gender And Family Project - @GenderAndFamilyProject
Support Justice! Queer Gives - Marsha P. Johnson Institute
Support Us! Instagram - @thesisonjoan Twitter - @thesisonjoan Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
Queer Culture Recs from Sally Cade: The Jungle Upstairs - @thejungleupstairs Queerology Podcast Making Gay History Podcast
Additional Mentions: Junior Mintt - @juniormintt Lou Henry Hoover - @LouHenryHoover Switch n' Play - @SwitchnPlay Takarazuka Review Ballez
You can read a transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week’s episode, Thesis on Joan hosts speak with writer C.A. Johnson. Hear about her recent production and premature closing of MCC’s All the Natalie Portmans, writing for sad queers watching movies about women who don’t want them, and our shared love of a certain teen heartthrob. C.A. also talks about the residencies and fellowships she’s done that give playwrights what they need, writing for tv and theatre, and experimenting with plot structures outside one based on the male orgasm.
C.A. Johnson - Instagram, Twitter
More about MCC Theater’s All the Natalie Portmans
The Lark Space on Ryder Farm The Civilians R&D Group Sundance Institute Theatre Program
Queer Gives: SAGE NYC - Advocacy & Services for LGBT Elders
Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
You can view a transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In Episode 4 get to know Thesis on Joan’s hosts, FanQueers Meghan and Holly! Hear about the inspiration for the podcast, their friendship meet cute, growing up in Ohio as budding musical theatre nerds, their (kinda) matching tattoos and what musical theatre moments probably made them queer.
Places / Orgs We Shout Out! ART New York - Body Autonomy Program TDF - Autism Friendly Performances Theatre on Film & Tape Archive Theatre of the Oppressed NYC Queer Folx Book Club
Queer Gives- Ali Forney Center
Support Us! Instagram - @thesisonjoan Twitter- @thesisonjoan Leave us a voicemail: (845) 445-9251 Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
You can view a transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thesis on Joan hosts Meghan and Holly chat with Andrea Prestinario, performer, producer and the Executive Director / Co-Founder of Ring of Keys, an advocacy organization that promotes the hiring of queer women, transgender, and gender non-conforming artists working in musical theatre. Learn about Ring of Keys’ mission, the organization’s members (“keys”), and how they’re changing the face of musical theatre. Andrea also gives us her take on Fun Home after playing Allison TWICE, shares her queer musical theatre meet cute, and fixes a problematic musical by queering it up!
Andrea Prestinario - Instagram, Twitter
Ring of Keys - Instagram, Twitter
Turn up the Volume: A Virtual Pride Concert Amplifying Black Keys
Check Out Videos from the “Queering the Canon” Concert- ROK Youtube
Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
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In Episode 2 Thesis on Joan’s hosts Meghan and Holly talk to writer and performer Marga Gomez just before her 13th solo show Spanking Machine heads to Dixon Place for a digital presentation July 16-25, 2020. Hear about Marga’s inspiration for Spanking Machine, the highs and lows of creating a show for the digital space (she has some notes for the 5 Lesbian Brothers), the influence of her parents on her work, Marga’s take on many queer culture moments (hey, Kiling Eve and Generation Q!) and who she would most like to send a Seamless dinner date to during quarantine.
Support Marga! Web Site - http://www.margagomez.com/ Spanking Machine Tickets & More Info - DixonPlace.Org Instagram- @themargagomez Twitter- @margagomez
Support Justice! Queer Gives- Louisville Community Bail Fund & Jaime Harrison for US Senate
Support Us! Instagram - @thesisonjoan Twitter- @thesisonjoan Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
Read a transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For Thesis on Joan’s inaugural episode for Pride, hosts Meghan and Holly talk to Ianne Fields Stewart, a Black, queer, nonbinary, transfeminine, actor/activist and founder of The Okra Project. Hear about Ianne’s many talents, the work they want to focus on, and how theatres can actually show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Follow Ianne Fields Stewart at iannefieldsstewart.com and on Twitter and Instagram!
Watch Ianne in The Feels.
QUEER GIVES Donate and follow the organizations mentioned in the episode:
The Okra Project - @theokraproject
FEMMEPREMACY - @FEMMEPREMACY
A Ratchet Realm - @aratchetrealm
For the Gworls - @forthegworls
Black Trans Femmes in the Arts - @BTFAcollective
Black Trans Media - @blacktransmedia
Black Trans Travel Fund - @blacktranstravelfund
Contact your NY City Council rep to demand they #DefundtheNYPD.
Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter @thesisonjoan Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com
Read a transcript of this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices