"Unbending" – A Bold New Play Premieres at IHRAF 2024

PLACE: The Tank
312 W 36th St., New York, NY (Map)
DATE: Friday, December 13th @ 8:30 PM
PRICE: $25

I’m grateful to share that my short play, "Unbending," will be featured at this year’s International Human Rights Arts Festival (IHRAF) as part of IHRAF TRANSforms: Celebration of Trans Artists. On Friday, December 13th, at The Tank in NYC, we’ll gather for an evening of queer-led theatre that refuses to be silenced—an evening dedicated to stories and voices that demand to be heard.

"Unbending" is a tribute to the grassroots organization 50 Bills 50 States, which, in 2017, led the movement to ban conversion therapy across the U.S., challenging each state to protect LGBTQIA+ youth. In the play, a courageous young person (portrayed by Xiaoxiao Sun) confronts their conversion therapist (played by Connor Creagan), capturing the struggles of religious trauma, self-acceptance, and the power of resilience. It will feature an original score composed by Harley Putzer.

Message From The Artist:

Hi everyone. How are you doing? Terribly?

That's okay, I am too. These days, it’s hard not to feel the weight of everything happening around us, especially when voices like mine, queer voices, are constantly under attack. It’s a time when the very right to tell our stories is being questioned - and that’s exactly why it’s so important for us to gather around art that speaks our truths.

As queer voices continue to be marginalized, I’m appreciative for spaces like IHRAF that amplify and celebrate underrepresented storytellers. In a time when art by trans and queer creators faces growing censorship, the need for solidarity through artistic expression has never been greater. "Unbending" pays homage to queer resilience, and I’m honored to bring this story to life as part of IHRAF. It’s a reminder that we are still here, still telling our stories, and still demanding to be heard.

If you can, I’d love for you to come and experience not just "Unbending" but the rest of the lineup IHRAF has to over. You can check out their full week offerings here, with plays covering a variety of human rights topics, from women's rights, climate action, immigrant's rights, and more.

Thank you for your support. Hang in there - we've got a hell of a journey ahead of us, but together I know we can survive it.

Queerly yours,