About
Context:
As one of many 'trans cultures', trans performance makers have been celebrated over the last decade for interrogating trans lived experiences through autobiographical works. Yet, many of these artists have noted a need to move beyond venue programming cultures that frame trans performance as principally educational (for cis people to learn about trans personal trauma). In response to this need, this fellowship asks what is 'transness' in performance beyond personal testimony? What makes a stage design 'trans-informed'? What does 'transness' afford as a cultural political standpoint beyond gender identity? In investigating these positions and more, this fellowship will provide resources for centring trans and nonbinary experiences as vital to a fair and just society.
Method:
Trans performance makers and venue producers will be interviewed to establish a survey on the themes, opportunities and challenges of staging trans-led work in the UK today. To investigate new routes for producing trans-led work, in collaboration with our partners the project will commission at least 3 R&D phases for artists who already have production experience. This will focus upon methods and techniques of transness in performance beyond personal testimony - or more directly what counts as 'transness' in performance. The results of the survey and the commissions will be shared at two key events in London (2024) and Newcastle (2025). The overall aim of the project is to examine the cultural production of performance works as a method for examining broader social trends in an era of increased visibility and scrutiny of trans experience.
Project Partners
