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Transition: A Story of Two Trans People Becoming Themselves
By Emily Boyajian
Created by Emily Boyajian
Playing at
Show Description
Two trans people experience the joy of living authentically, face internalized transphobia, overcome their self-doubts to find happiness outside of the gender binary, and sing with music from a live orchestra!
Genre and Content
Content Warnings
The creators say this show is appropriate for ages 12-15 and up
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Seat Reservations and Show Tickets
| Add to Schedule | Date | Time | Ticket Options | Quantity | Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 08/01 | 5:30 PM | ||||
| Mon 08/05 | 8:30 PM | ||||
| Wed 08/07 | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Thu 08/08 | 5:30 PM | ||||
| Sat 08/10 | 4:00 PM |
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Video Trailer
Cast and Crew
Emily Boyajian
Conductor, composer, lyricist, and playwrightEmily Boyajian is a composer who uses her strong background in music theory to write music that is intellectually stimulating and emotionally captivating. She has written solo piano works, chamber music, orchestral music, and art songs. She has had her music performed at the 2019 Source Song Festival, the 2021 and 2023 Film Score Fest, the 2023 Cedar Commissions, and in other concerts in the Twin Cities. Her songs focus on topics such as her experiences as a trans woman, contemporary political and social issues, and silly songs about things such as Delta Airlines and arguing with a sock puppet.
Gillian Gauntt
Actor/singerGillian Gauntt (they/them) is a Twin Cities-based actor, singer, and educator. Since graduating from St. Olaf College in 2019, they’ve performed with several local music/theatre orgs including Minnesota Opera, One Voice Mixed Chorus, and Opera on Tap-Twin Cities. Gillian has also enjoyed independently producing, programming, and performing in their own projects, including making their drag debut as G. Alexander in “Bosom Buddies: a Titillating Cabaret” this last February. They are deeply passionate about creating more safe and affirming spaces for queer, trans, and plus-sized artists in the performing arts. Gillian is so excited to be returning to MN Fringe for a third time!
Kymani Kahlil
Actor/singerMN born and raised with southern roots, Kymani is a multi-disciplinary performing artist, who continues to evolve as a generative artist and storyteller. Kymani believes the Performing Arts are essential to building community, not only as entertainment, but because of its power to engage audiences in social discourse and elevate new and uncommon narratives that can be informative, cathartic and community building.
Ashley Ng
Violin IAshley is a freelance artist in the Twin Cities area where she directs and performs in a women-led BIPOC chamber music ensemble, 10th Wave, as well as teaching at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis and Chanhassen. Outside of work Ashley enjoys playing videogames and spending time with her wife Kelsey (also a musician) and their Siamese cat Lucy (an aspiring vocalist!).
Leah Meyer
Violin IIJoshua Dieringer
ViolaJoshua Dieringer is a violist and violinist in the Twin Cities, MN. He mainly performs video game music with the Bards Quartet in addition to appearing with other bands, orchestras, and ensembles across the Twin Cities. He is part of an initiative to plan the Twin Cities Gamer Symphony Orchestra (TCGSO) that will hopefully start later this year. He also catalogs music materials for the University of Minnesota Libraries while focusing his research on video games and video game music in libraries. Video games he has finished recently are Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door and Pokémon Violet.
Stephanie Knapper
CelloStephanie Knapper is a freelancing cellist from Blaine, MN. Stephanie plays in the Mankato Symphony Orchestra and the Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra as a full time member and she also is a substitute cellist in the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra and the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. Besides playing in various orchestras, she also is a member of a local video game quartet named the Bards Quartet. Teaching cello lessons is another part of Stephanie’s musical journey. She teaches cello lessons at Modern Day Music and also her own private cello studio.
Liz Draper
Double BassUpright bassist Liz Draper has played with everyone from Sub-Pop's Grammy-nominated slowcore band Low to the Balkan folk group Orkestar Bez Ime, Righteous Babe artist Pieta Brown, Grammy Award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers, and Smithsonian recording artist folk troubadour Charlie Parr. Liz grew up playing jazz and has a degree in classical bass performance. Her improvising led her to Brooklyn's SIM (School for Improvised Music 2003). Liz is a 2019 Giant Steps Fellow (San Francisco). She is a 2021 American Composers Forum awardee for her solo work which can be described as "classicaldoomfolkjazz." Liz is currently touring with 2 time Grammy-nominated songwriter Iris Dement.
Jason Wells
Double BassJason Wells (he/him/his) studied music at Interlochen Arts Academy and DePaul University and now plays with the Des Moines Symphony, Sioux City Symphony, and subs regularly with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. As a bass teacher and performer, Jason has taught, facilitated clinics, and performed all over the US and the world. Jason can be seen performing a multitude of genres including: classical, jazz, R&B, folk, and gospel music.
Dea Bruzelius
FluteDeanna Bruzelius (they/them) is a chaotic artist and educator. They play a plethora of instruments, make mixed media art, teach piano lessons, organize with a local mutual aid group, and can often be found in the woods searching for bones, rocks, and animal tracks. They are interested in how music and education can be used in world building, breaking musical trauma patterns of perfectionism and rigidity, and how curiosity, care, and exploration can change learning experiences for all students.
David Thompson
OboeAlex Pritchard
ClarinetAlex studied clarinet with Ted Oien of the Detroit Symphony and graduated with a performance degree from Wayne State University. His musical journey has taken him from local symphony orchestras to chaotic street bands, and his favorite musical experience was touring the Netherlands while playing the Cross-Linx festival with the Detroit Party Marching Band and My Brightest Diamond. Today he works as a software developer and enjoys playing in wind bands and chamber ensembles.
Amanda Mastrian
BassoonHarlie Lane
French hornHarlie Lane (she/they) is a Twin Cities based horn player and mental health advocate. After picking up the instrument in 2012, they've had the opportunity to play in many wind groups, marching bands, and exciting out-of-the-box shows. They typically play with the Northeast and Star of the North community bands, as well as the Twin Cities Horn Club, a horn only ensemble. When they're not playing music, they typically can be found dancing or listening to it. They are passionate about arts and movement as a means of healing and expression for all people, especially those who have been told that they're not already perfect just the way they are.
Isaac Mayhew
TrumpetIsaac Mayhew is a trumpet player and composer based in Saint Paul, Minnesota whose music has been performed across the United States. He is a dedicated advocate for new music, serving on the Boards of the Twin Cities-based RenegadeEnsemble and the Millenium Composers Initiative.
More Information
After being closeted and hiding their true selves for years, Charlie and Maria are ready to come out as transgender! They discover that transitioning can be a joyous experience, with opportunities for self-expression that were previously forbidden. However, they also deal with the difficult parts of the transgender experience, including unsupportive friends and family, transphobic strangers, and pressure to conform to gender roles in the genders they are transitioning into. It's up to Charlie and Maria to support each other as they navigate life as openly trans people, and pursue happiness as their authentic selves outside of the constraints of the gender binary!
Featuring two singers and a live chamber orchestra of 11 instruments, there are some catchy musical numbers, and a storyline that should be meaningful for anyone who is transgender, or anyone who has navigated a major life transition!
Emily Boyajian, the creator and producer of the show, draws upon her own life as a trans woman and the experiences of many of her trans friends. In her words: "I want the transgender audience members to receive the message that they are valid even if they do not 'pass', even if they are not always self-confident, and even if they do not fulfill other people’s expectations of how a transgender person should be. I want the cisgender audience members to receive the message that trans people are neither monsters nor heroes, that we are simply people trying to live and be happy in a complicated and often difficult world."
