In celebration of Trans Awareness Month this November, PrideArts will honor transgender pioneers and showcase ten Chicago trans performers who are reshaping our history. Artistic Director Donterrio Johnson today announced the multi-platform educational and entertainment effort called, WHAT'S THE TEA, CIS?* Twice weekly, from November 3 through November 19, Chicago performer MJ Rawls will host a one-minute video on PrideArts’ Instagram page (@PrideArtsChicago), providing historical profiles of trans pioneers such as Marsha P. Johnson, Jackie Shane, Miss Major Griffin, and Willmer “Little Ax” Broadnax.
These segments will post on November 3, 5, 10, 12, 16 and 19. On Monday, November 30, PrideArts will stream on YouTube a Trans Showcase cabaret of performances from ten incredible Chicago trans performers. Acts will range from stand-up comedy to singers belting today's top radio hits. Cast to be announced. This will be a Pay-What-You-Can event, and tickets are available at www.pridearts.org. A portion of the funds raised from this event will be donated to Brave Space Alliance a trans/non-binary organization here in Chicago.
Johnson says, “We are very excited to be bringing you all WHAT’S THE TEA, CIS? this November during Trans Awareness Month. I am also thrilled to be collaborating with MJ Rawls who’s patiently guiding and educating me on this process. It’s going to be fantastic, Let the education begin HENNY!”
*The phrase, “what’s the tea?” means something like “what’s the gossip?” or “what’s the inside scoop?”
MJ RAWLS BIO
MJ is excited to collaborate with Pride Arts on this project! Chicago credits include Chicago Shakespeare Theatre (MADAGASCAR; A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM), Mercury Theater (PIPPIN), MadKap Productions (MAN OF LA MANCHA), Kokandy Productions (THE WIZ). Regional credits include: Creede Repertory Theatre (PETER AND THE STARCATCHER; LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS), Coachella Valley Repertory (CHESS THE MUSICAL).
She is a proud member of the Actors Equity Association. She is represented by Big Mouth Talent. She is also a trans rights activist and hopes that this project expands the theatre community as a whole.
REIGNITE SERIES CONTINUES
The second entry in the company’s four - show virtual fall season called REIGNITE! will be the hilarious comedy BOX AND COX by John Maddison Morton. PrideArts Artistic Director Donterrio Johnson will direct a loosely staged production to be recorded live in the Pride Arts Center’s Buena Theatre. The recorded performance will be presented online two nights only – on Thursdays, October 22 and 29, at 7:00 pm each night.
Following BOX & COX in the fall Virtual Season will be the two-character one-act comedy A PAIR OF LUNATICS, by W.R. Walkes. In A PAIR OF LUNATICS, which premiered in London in 1898, He and She meet for the first time in an asylum and each mistakes the other for an inmate. A PAIR OF LUNATICS will be streamed twice only - on Thursdays, November 19, and December 3; at 7:00 pm each evening.
The final play of the virtual fall season will be Anton Chekov’s THE PROPOSAL, to be streamed twice only - on Thursday, December 17 and Wednesday, December 30; at 7:00 pm each evening. In this one-act Chekov comedy, Ivan, an hypochondriac, has a proposal for Natalya the neighbor. That is, if they can ever agree on anything. Casts of A PAIR OF LUNATICS and THE PROPOSAL will be announced later.
LISTING INFORMATION
WHAT’S THE TEA, CIS? Showcase
Hosted by MJ Rawls
A showcase of transgender performers
November 30, 8 pm
Streaming on YouTube (Link to follow)
Pay what you can. Reservations available at www.PrideArts.org
A cabaret of performances from ten incredible Chicago trans performers. Acts will range from stand-up comedy to singers belting today's top radio hits. A portion of the funds raised from this event will be donated to Brave Space Alliance a trans/non-binary organization in Chicago.
REIGNITE series:
BOX AND COX
By John Maddison Morton
Directed by Donterrio Johnson
Streamed on YouTube Thursdays, October 22 and 29; 7 pm
Ticketing and more info at www.pridearts.org.
Tickets $15.00
A three-character one-act farce that premiered in London in 1847. BOX AND COX is a hilarious romance of real life in one act.
A PAIR OF LUNATICS
By W.R. Walkes
Directed by Donterrio Johnson
Streamed on YouTube Thursdays, November 19, and December 3; 7 pm
Ticketing and more info at www.pridearts.org.
Tickets $15.00
A one-act comedy that premiered in London in 1898, He and She meet for the first time in an asylum and each mistakes the other for an inmate.
THE PROPOSAL
By Anton Chekov
Directed by Donterrio Johnson
Streamed on YouTube Thursday, December 17 and Wednesday, December 30; 7 pm
Ticketing and more info at www.pridearts.org
Tickets $15.00
Ivan, a hypochondriac, has a proposal for Natalya the neighbor. That is, if they can ever agree on anything.
ABOUT PRIDEARTS
PrideArts is working to produce year-round theater and film projects that change lives. In normal (non-COVID) times, the company produces a season of full play and musical productions, as well as events including dance, cabaret, film, and more. It was recently honored with seven Jeff award nominations for the 2019-20 season. Events can be one-night or limited run productions or feature national treasures like Charles Busch. PAC occupies The Broadway at 4139 N. Broadway, which has 85 seats, and The Buena, which has 50 seats at 4147 N Broadway.
PrideArts is supported by The MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at The Richard Driehaus Foundation, The Illinois Arts Council, City of Chicago’s City Arts Fund, the Elliott Fredland Charitable Trust, Proud to Run, The Pauls Foundation, The Heath Fund, The Service Club of Chicago, the AmazonSmile Foundation, Arts and Business Foundation, Tap Root Foundation, Arts and Business Council, and Alphawood Foundation.
PrideArts is a member of the Smart Growth Program of the Chicago Community Trust. PrideArts is a member of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, Northalsted Business Association, Uptown United, and The League of Chicago Theatres.
For more information and to donate, visit www.pridearts.org or call 1.773 857 0222.