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IN PURSUIT OF SAFE SPACES Brady Peeti on opening doors for trans, non-binary Māori and Pasifika artists.
“This is for the LGBTQAI, Black, Latina, Asian ... the many multi-beautiful colours of the rainbow around the world. This is not just for me, this is for y'all. This is the door that opens up for y'all. Not me, for y'all. There's going to be so many young individuals — young, talented, thriving individuals — that are going to be able to trail in, storm in the door. This is for y'all.” MJ Rodriguez acceptance speech after her Golden Globe win for Best Television Actress in a Drama Series. I watched MJ’s acceptance speech on Instagram several times after her glorious win and couldn’t help but think to myself – FINALLY! It is possible to be at the top! Finally, we are at the head of the table! Finally, our character narratives have surpassed what is always assumed of us and we can actually convey ourselves as humans! It was at this time that I closed Instagram and thought to myself – it's time to work! But we have been working in Aotearoa for years. Just like the Kiwi bird, we are slow in pace however still impactful. 2021 saw the beginning of some truly inspiring theatre, The Eternal Queers written by Estelle Chout made its premiere at the Wellington Pride Festival. The return of Fine Fatale in their
re-developed cabaret Fever: Return of the Ula graced the stage of the Auckland Live Cabaret Season. The return of Fine Fatale in their re-developed cabaret Fever: Return of the Ula graced the stage of the Auckland Live Cabaret Season and we welcomed the return of Fala Muncher this time directed by Amanaki Prescott-Faletau. Previously in 2020, The Glitter Garden by George Fowler and Lori Leigh gave children in Te Whanganui-a-Tara the chance to see ‘A Drag Musical Extravaganza’. We also saw larger scale productions show trans inclusivity. I played the coveted role of Audrey 2 in The Court Theatre’s rendition of cult classic Little Shop of Horrors directed by Benjamin Henson and Circa Theatre staged the American play Hir written by Taylor Mac. Hard discussions had to be made in 2021 that came with differing views from everyone wanting to be involved in the conversation. The question was posed; “Should transgender characters be played by cisgender actors?” putting the production of Things I Know To Be True written by Andrew Bovell in the firing line. To those not up to speed, the Court Theatre came under scrutiny when they announced the casting
