The International Human Rights Art Festival:

Celebration of LGBTQIA+

Wednesday, December 11 @ 8:30pm

Featuring:

Turbulence presented by Jill Ohayon & Ryan O'Dea

CREATIVE TEAM
Directed by Ryan O'Dea
Music Direction by Jonja Merck

CAST
Zoe Dean
L.D. Kelley
Jill Ohayon

Put your tray tables up and fasten your seatbelts! Turbulence is a 20-minute musical that follows three characters over the course of a flight from New Jersey to Milwaukee. Each struggling in their own way, the three characters help each other face and begin to overcome their respective fears.

Infractions presented by Maddie Moayedi

Choreographed by Maddie Moayedi

Performed by Sabrina Stilson and Camila Govea

Infractions is a four-part, neo-classical ballet duet featuring two female dancers that breaks gender barriers while embracing the dancers' identities. Originally performed by a male and female dancer, the duet has been adapted for two female dancers, challenging the restrictive gender norms of dance partnering. Dancers of any gender identity should be able to perform either role in this piece. The music consists of four selections from Ryuichi Sakamoto's 1996 album.

Lucy Joseph presented by Farm Arts Collective

Directed by Mimi McGurl

performed by Jess Beveridge

MUSICIANS

Doug Rogers, Annie Hat, Pam Arnold, Tannis Kowalchuk

A new Farm Arts Collective performance based on the life of a 19th century gender non-conforming pioneer Lucy Ann Joseph Israel Lobdell. Directed by Mimi McGurl with contributed story and texts from the Farm Arts Collective Ensemble, author William Klaber, and historical texts by L.A. Lobdell and others. The original musical performance is in development with Jess Beveridge, Tannis Kowalchuk, Doug Rogers, Pam Arnold, Annie Hat & John Roth.

BIG ASS SECRET presented by Justin Anthony Long

Florida high schooler Jimmy Short navigates first love, friendship, family, religion, and being secretly gay in this funny and heartfelt coming-of-age musical about the struggles and joys of being LGBTQ+ in a repressive world. Past trauma around the Pulse Nightclub shooting, the expansion of the “Don’t say gay” legislation and good old teenage angst stand in the way of embracing his true identity. When an unexpected queer role model emerges, Jimmy finally finds the courage to come out, take his shot at young love, say goodbye to lost time, and live an authentic life.