In 2004, Tim Cusack—an actor, director, long-time artistic partner and friend—and I formed Theatre Askew. We formed the company around the open question: What does it mean to create “queer theatre” in New York in the 21st century? We both believe a radical new approach to the representation of “queerness” is called for—one that embraces a diverse spectrum of relationships and gendered identities. We define queerness as a metaphor for ALL those who stand outside of, challenge, or reject mainstream, consumerist models. This is the community for whom we make our work—gay and straight. This mission drives Theatre Askew to make ever-evolving programming choices and to create a diverse body of work of social impact and spiritual consequence that reflects the complexity of our experience.

Our early productions emphasized adaptation and the ways in which a queer perspective can illuminate classic texts. Bald Diva! was an original absurdist farce inspired by Ionesco’s The Bald Soprano, The Tempest explored the Radical Faerie movement and interpreted Shakespeare’s play as an expression of the healing capacity of “gay spirit.” Our political satire I, Claudius Live was a parody of the BBC series, irreverently adapted to address global politics in the current climate and told from the point of view of a disabled heterosexual character who could never be a “real” man by the standards of Roman culture. Our 2007 production of i google myself was the first original play we produced that was not inspired by classic source material and was entirely contemporary in subject and feeling.

Our productions have garnered positive notices from The New York Times, The Village Voice, Time Out New York as well as other media outlets; we have been nominated twice for the GLAAD media award, listed on Theatermania’s best-of-the year lists, and most recently we were included on NYTheatre.com 2007 People of the Year list.

Visit the Theatre Askew website
Donate to Theatre Askew

To join the mailing list, please enter your email below.

 

Along with our core artistic programming, the Theatre Askew Youth Performance Experience (TAYPE) is our educational theatre program for LGBTQ youth and their allies in the New York area. We recognize that LGBTQ youth are an at-risk population and believe we have a unique role as the only theatre company in the New York area with an educational program specifically devoted to this population. TAYPE was established to provide a safe, creative forum for these often isolated and unheard youth.

Visit the TAYPE website
Donate to Theatre Askew