The Q Collective announces the playwrights for its first annual Transluminate Festival. We are pleased to be featuring five works by three St. Louis-based playwrights: Elon Ptah, Charlie Meyers, and John Waller in this year’s festival. The Q Collective is also excited to announce that the festival will feature visual arts on display from Feb. 4 through the end of the month with a gallery opening party on Feb. 10 from 2 to 5 p.m.
BREANNAby Charlie Meyersdirected by Sean MichaelAndy and Breanna are androids, centuries removed from the human bodies they were born in. What does it mean to be a man or woman, or even a person, in a posthuman society? How will their connection change them, and potentially change the future?
HOMEBODYwritten and directed by Elon PtahA series of brief glimpses into the life a young, black transguy, Malcolm, as he navigates body image, friendship and dating. A journey from self-loathing to self-love, expressed through the portrayal of Malcolm as 2 characters.
MISS ARKANSASwritten and directed by J.D. CharlesA transgender woman, Stella-Jane competes in a beauty pageant where one of her competitors, Harper, is not so accepting of who she is. A heated argument between the two girls escalates and Stella-Jane’s strength is tested.
NOW BOARDINGby Charlie Meyersdirected by Sean MichaelJo is stuck in an airport. The gate attendant, Roger, speaks in confounding riddles. Tina, a fellow passenger, won’t mind her own business. Jo just wants to get on the plane but has some personal baggage to work through before it can get off the ground.
TWO SUGARSby Charlie Meyersdirected by Sean MichaelTwo friends, Rose and Max, meet for coffee after long years of silence between them. Though both have changed, they feel drawn to each other over coffee and conversation.
Performances of TRANSLUMINATE are Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 21 and 22 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 23 at 4:30 pm and 8 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance through Eventbrite.com or $20 at the door. All performances are at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive, St. Louis, MO 63105.
Casts for each play will be announced in the coming weeks.
Some plays contain adult language and frank sexual situations.
Artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
Visit The Q Collective at www.TheQCollective.theater, and “like” them on Facebook. To contact the staff, email the.q.collective.stl@gmail.com.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.