Baltimore Center Stage and Breaking the Binary Theatre Launch The Trans History Project

Baltimore Center Stage and Breaking the Binary Theatre are joining forces to launch a groundbreaking national initiative: The Trans History Project. Created by Baltimore Center Stage Artist-in-Residence Bo Frazier, the project aims to commission, develop, and publish 10 new plays about the real history of gender nonconformity which has existed across all cultures since the beginning of time.  Ten transgender and gender non-conforming writers will be selected and commissioned by BCS, and subsequently placed into 2-year development residencies at regional theaters across the country. 
 
The first cohort of five playwrights will be selected in summer 2025 through an open submission process, which is now live at centerstage.org/trans-history-project/. Each playwright will receive a commission fee of $10,000. Each play will then receive development support from a coalition of regional theaters including Diversionary Theatre in San Diego, CA, Rattlestick Theater in New York City,NY, Round House Theatre in Bethesda, MD, as well as Baltimore Center Stage. Every summer during the project, BCS will host an annual convening of commissioned playwrights to share work and be in community with fellow TGNC artists.
 
Baltimore Center Stage’s Artistic Director Stevie Walker Webb notes that "The Trans History Project is part of our broader commitment at Baltimore Center Stage to center marginalized voices in the cultural conversation. The trans rights movement stands in the lineage of the Civil Rights Movement—because trans rights are civil rights, and human rights. Until trans playwrights are produced as widely as Lynn Nottage, David Henry Hwang, or María Irene Fornés—none of whom are produced nearly enough—we have work to do. As Toni Cade Bambara said, the role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible and trans artists are often the most transcendent creatives I know. We’re excited and expectant that the work emerging from this project will be innovative, visionary, and artistically groundbreaking."
 
Creator and Program Director Bo Frazier says “The idea for this project came to me in 2018, but my original vision was to create one play with many playwrights, each one of them writing one vignette about a gender nonconforming person from their culture.  A dear friend told me to ‘dream bigger’ and thus this project was born. Through this work, we will educate the cisgender community, and uplift and empower the trans community, all while engaging the next generation of audiences.” Frazier added “One of the major problems about being trans and non-binary in 2025 is that many people think we didn’t exist until 10 years ago. They don't know the history of the world that has included all gender variant people in all cultures for centuries. Society needs to know about our history and I am grateful that Stevie Walker-Webb believes in the importance of this project and that an important institution like Baltimore Center Stage wants to tell our stories. This collaboration between BCS, Breaking the Binary and our regional theater partners is a dream come true, and I hope it inspires others to program, produce and commission work by the TGNC community.”
 
"We are thrilled to be partnering with Bo, Stevie, Adam, Ken-Matt, and the team at Baltimore Center Stage on this groundbreaking national initiative,” stated Breaking the Binary Theatre founder, George Strus. “As the transgender community remains under attack, with our histories and societal contributions being eradicated on a daily basis, it is a great gift to begin commissioning ten new plays written by members of our community to ensure that our stories are well-documented and more opportunities are presented to TGNC theatermakers. Breaking the Binary Theatre dedicates their participation in The Trans History Project to Z (fka Aziza Barnes)."
 
Diversionary Theatre’s Artistic Director Sherri Eden Barber remarks “As we approach our 40th year, we are especially proud to be among the many theaters supporting this historic moment in American theater. Trans history is LGBTQIA+ history, and we are honored to champion it. Diversionary is thrilled and committed to continue fostering relationships with trans artists, providing a space where their stories can be developed, celebrated, and shared with the world. We are an institution that uplifts trans voices and honors the depth and diversity of their experiences.”
 
Round House Theatre’s Artistic Director Ryan Rilette states “The Trans History Project aligns perfectly with Round House's mission to be a theatre for everyone. We strive to produce work that inspires empathy and demands conversation, so — especially at a time when our TGNC colleagues and loved ones face so much hostility — we are grateful to Baltimore Center Stage and Breaking the Binary for inviting us to be a part of this important work."
 
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Baltimore Center Stage and Breaking the Binary Theatre on The Trans History Project, a vital initiative uplifting trans and non-binary voices. Rattlestick is proud to support this urgent work and help bring these essential stories to the stage,” said Will Davis, Artistic Director of Rattlestick Theater.
 
The Trans History Project was one of five regional theatre projects to receive the competitive National Theatre Company Grant from The American Theatre Wing.
 
Project submissions are now open and will be accepted through May 11 at 11:59pm EST. The reading committee consists of trans and gender nonconforming theatre artists across the country as well as members of the Baltimore Center Stage artistic team.