Please note: this event has passed
Jess (They/Them) is a trans / non-binary, multi-disciplinary clown and political actor. They have studied theatre in the U.S, France and the UK. Working professionally in the UK for the past 4 years, most of the roles Jess has performed and auditioned for have been to play cisgender women. Although grateful for the few trans / non-binary roles they have auditioned for, these have all been written by white, cisgender men and the audition populated by cisgender people.
Through experiences of being tokenized, being asked for emotional labour and to seemingly speak on behalf of the Trans* community, Jess has found ways to create more meaningful dialogues with industry professionals, including addressing issues of race and disability.
In this session, Jess will be reflecting on the duality of being oppressed whilst having privilege, sharing ideas of reducing harm and dismantling racist, ableist and transphobic practices within the industry, and how to hold our personal and artistic selves accountable for our work.
Through a non-violent practice, they are determined to examine the industry and institutions they have benefited from. Jess wants to have the conversations that people may avoid in auditions and in rehearsal rooms whilst encouraging curiosity and critical thinking.
(photo credit: Eivind Hansen)
Hosted by
Maryanne Saunders is a PhD Candidate in Theology and Religious Studies at King’s College London where her research focuses on gender and sexuality in contemporary religious art.
BSL interpretation
Martin Fox-Roberts (Twitter/Insta: @martinsli)
*** Please note this event will be held on Zoom and sign up is required via this eventbrite page. The meeting link and password will be sent to participants ca. 30 minutes before the start of the event. We kindly ask that you mute your microphone upon entering the meeting room.
Questions to the artist can be submitted via queer@kcl.ac.uk before the event and via the chat function during the event. For any further questions, please email queer@kcl.ac.uk.***