Cesario Tirado-Ortiz

Cesario Tirado Ortiz (they/he/it) is a playwright, actor, singer, producer, and exhausted barista. A SUNY New Paltz graduate, Rio bases most of his work around creating queer stories for queer folk that's not really about being queer. They're also a successful drag artist performing under the name Scam Likely (it/its), and utilizes drag frequently in their work. Cesario was part of the first cohorts of the Genesis Project at 54 Below, providing performance opportunities, master classes, mentorship roundtables, and networking events with industry professionals to emerging artists in the cabaret scene.

Cesario self produced the NYC premiere of his play "it’s been ten years since everyone died", utilizing a Kickstarter campaign to fund the show. Throughout the month long endeavor, it was able to raise over $3k, and became the highest fundraised percentage wise on the website.

He is also part of the non-profit board for Pied Piper Theatre of New York City and is the creative consultant for Wait in the Wings on YouTube. Cesario is an Actors Equity Association member, and a member of the Dramatist’s Guild. They’re proud to represent a small fraction of trans creatives in both organizations!