ST. LOUIS, Mo. - In their first collaboration, That Uppity Theatre Company and Alight Theater Guild will co-produce NYC Queer Playback Theater with “Pride in Progress” on Sunday June 13, at 7 p.m. CDT/8 pm EDT in a virtual interactive playback performance to honor Pride.
This event is open to all ages and orientations and will run approximately 90 minutes, and is sponsored by Pride St. Louis, St Louis Black Pride, #Boom Magazine and the Missouri Arts Council.
“I do artistic and organizing LGBTQ+ work throughout the year but I like to especially center our community at special times like Pride Month or Coming Out Day," said Joan Lipkin, the producing artistic director of That Uppity Theatre Company and Playback Now! St Louis.
"Our virtual live coproduction is an unprecedented opportunity for St Louis and New York and other parts of the country to share their stories in real time," added Lipkin. "We are very excited about this and invite people to join us, whether they want to share or just listen."
During the performance the audience will be invited to tell stories from their lives, then the story will be “played back” with facilitation, improvisational forms, and music by an ensemble, all around the theme of "Pride in Progress".
As we reflect on Pride in the midst of a pandemic and a racial reckoning, “Pride in Progress” hopes to ask what we are proud of individually and collectively, and what progress is left to be gained?
NYC Queer Playback Theater aims to forge connection in the LGBTQ+ communities, whether participants identify within the community or as an ally, by creating a safe and diverse space for personal growth through Playback. Co-founder Jamie Roach said he is excited to collaborate.
“The LGBTQ+ community is hugely diverse, which is one of its biggest assets,” Roach said. “Playback allows its participants to reach across differences of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, age, country of origin, language, and ability/disability by providing a rare and rich chance to be vulnerable with each other’s stories while learning the true feelings and experiences of this dynamic community. As the many perspectives and identities are better understood, the ever-evolving Queer community is strengthened.”
For tickets, please register at:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-queer-playback-theaters-pride-in-progress-june-13-at-8pm-edt-registration-156443162711, and an event zoom link will be sent out on the day of the performance. Tickets are priced at $12, with a pay-what-you-like option, including a free ticket choice.
We invite all people, those from the LGBTQ+ community and allies, to reflect on our lives within our community, our nation and globally in the space that we are creating to encourage openness, acceptance, respect, and equality regardless of one’s gender identity, sexual orientation, body size, ability, or status.
Personal sharing is encouraged and entirely voluntary. Feel free to tell a story or to enjoy the stories of others.
Long recognized as a leader in the queer community for her ground breaking work, Lipkin was named a Woman of Achievement last year as well as receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from Out in STL.