TRANS VIEWS to Tour Rhode Island

URI Feinstein Providence Campus Arts and Culture Program with Rhode Island State Council of Churches present Trans Views touring production by Frank V. Toti, Jr. May 11th - June 8th.

Performances are followed by a moderated discussion.

What if your 'insides' did not match other people's perception of you from the outside? What if the world demanded you to be a person you were not? What if you lived in fear all the time? Trans Views is created from Oral History interviews of members of the local Transgender community in their own words. The performance shares personal stories that raise issues and bears witness to the challenges of individuals struggling to live in their Gender Identity. Often maligned and misunderstood through ignorance, these personal accounts of transgender women and men illuminate individual journeys, help dispel fear and misunderstanding, and celebrate courage and tenacity. The project is meant to affirm and celebrate, educate and create understanding and support.

Trans Views is a full length play written and directed by Frank V. Toti, Jr.(Cranston) with Oral Histories gathered from members of the local Transgender community in their own words. The performance shares the daily life celebrations, struggles and triumphs 6 transgender women and men out of the individuals interviewed from the local transgender community, aged 15-70. Additional quotes from the oral histories are infused in the narrative adding depth and diversity to the range of stories shared. Trans Views includes performances by: Lilly Cataldi (Cranston), Ted D'Atri (Smithfield/Bristol), Chris Laureano (Attleboro), Sandra Lee(Cranston/Providence), Mark Roberts(Cranston/Providence), Carol Schlink (Cranston/Providence) and Steven Pennell (Cranston), with spoken word by Cody Suzuki (Fall River) to open the performance. The Fully Staged performance is followed by a moderated discussion under the coordination of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches to provide education and resources, and engage in healthy dialogue toward understanding. The play will tour to locations around the state in May and June, returning to URI Providence Campus Paff Auditorium for the PVD Fest and the celebration of PRIDE RI. All Performances are FREE of charge and open to the public.

Frank V. Toti, Jr. has an MFA in Theatre and Society and an MA in History. He is an actor director, playwright and university lecturer in Theatre and Humanities. Frank has written 9 plays 5 from oral history produced at URI, Perishable Theatre and in Chicago.

Steven Pennell is the Coordinator of Arts and Culture at URI Providence Campus. He is an actor, theatre director, oral historian, university lecturer and exhibit curator, who is also involved in numerous local and national arts organizations. He is especially passionate about creating opportunities to share the voices and stories of those rarely heard.

Trans Views Touring Schedule:

May 11 @ 7pm Westminster Unitarian 119 Kenyon Ave East Greenwich, RI 02818

May 15 @6:30 pm hosted by the Community Care Alliance at the Woonsocket Train Depot

1 Depot Square Woonsocket, RI 02895

June 1 @7pm St. Paul's Church 50 Park Place Pawtucket, RI 02860

June 2 @ 7pm Berean Baptist Church 475 Chapel Street Harrisville, RI 02830

June 3 @ 7pm First Baptist Church in America 75 N. Main Street Providence, RI 02903

June 7 & 8 @ 7pm URI Providence Campus Paff Auditorium 80 Washington Street Providence RI 02903

The Performance is FREE and open to the public.

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