May 27th - Pride Grand Marshal Mandy Giles, Singer Labraska Washington, and actor Dylan Godwin

First up on this QUEER VOICES, contributor Ethan Michelle Ganz interviews the Pride 365 Grand Marshal for 2026, representing the ALLIES. Mandy Giles: She is the founder of Parents of Trans Youth, whose advocacy equips families with tools to support and affirm their transgender children.

Then Brett Cullum dives into some Theater Voices. First up, Labraska Washington, who is currently at the HOBBY CENTER playing one of the DRIFTERS in Theatre Under the Stars' BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. They are having an OUT AT TUTS performance on Thursday, May 28, at 7:30 pm.  Finally, Brett chats with Alley Resident Company Member Dylan Godwin about his role in DEAR ALIEN, a show running at the Alley where he plays a sassy gay advice columnist out to save the world from itself. 

Parents of Trans Youth: 

https://www.parentsoftransyouth.com/

BEAUTIFUL: 

https://www.tuts.org/beautiful-the-carole-king-musical-2026/

DEAR ALIEN: 

https://www.alleytheatre.org/plays/dear-alien

Queer Voices airs in Houston Texas on 90.1FM KPFT and is heard as a podcast here.  Queer Voices hopes to entertain as well as illuminate LGBTQ issues in Houston and beyond.  Check out our socials at:

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Transcript

Welcome And Station Fundraiser

SPEAKER_04 0:02

This is KPFT 90.1 FM Houston, 89.5 FM Galveston, 91.9 FM Huntsville, and worldwide on the internet at KPFT.org.

Brett 0:24

You're listening to Queer Voices, a radio show and a podcast that has been an outlet for the LGBTQIA plus community since the 70s. I am Brett Cullum, and you are going to hear us saying it's that time of year, a lot right about now. Not only is June coming up, which means pride, but KPFT is doing its fundraising campaign, and Queer Voices could use your help. None of us are paid to do this show. It is all volunteer. And in fact, every one of us does a sustaining monthly contribution to this station just to help keep their lights on. That is how committed we are as the team that produces this show. The station has supported Queer Voices right from the start. So we ask that if you can, head over to kpft.org and make a contribution. You can do it just as a one-time thing, or you can set it up as a monthly recurring payment like I do. First up on Queer Voices contributor Ethan Michelle Gans interviews the Pride 365 Grand Marshal for 2026 representing the Allies. Her name is Mandy Giles. She is the founder of Parents of Trans Youth whose advocacy equips families with tools to support and affirm their transgender children. Then I get to dive into some theater voices. First up, I have Labraska Washington, who is currently at the Hobby Center playing one of the drifters in Theater Under the Stars Beautiful, the Carol King musical. They are having an Out at Touch performance on Thursday, May 28th at 7:30 p.m. Finally, I get to speak with Alley Resident Company member Dylan Godwin about his role in Dear Alien. This is a show running at the alley where Dylan gets to play a sassy gay advice columnist out to save the world from itself. It's deeply moving and very funny. I hope you enjoy Queer Voices and that you consider making a donation in our name to keep us on the air. We reach up to 150,000 people every week on this radio station. And that's not bad for some uh LGBTQIA plus volunteers that just uh are creating this on a laptop. We are starting Queer Voices right

Meeting Pride 365 Grand Marshal

Brett 2:36

now.

SPEAKER_09 2:39

Hi, this is Ethan Michelle Gans on Queer Voices, and we're here talking with Mandy Giles, the ally Grand Marshal for Houston Pride, Pride Houston uh 365. She's a good friend of mine. And so Mandy, how are you? Wow, thanks for having me. You're also the founder of Parents of Trans Youth, which uh is one of the ways I know you. Um Mandy and I are very good friends. We've done a lot of work together out uh in the Capitol and everywhere that there needs to be work done. That's true. And uh I was super excited that you you won this year. Um I'm so glad that they're uplifting you because you're one of the best allies I've ever I've ever seen. You're I'd call you an accomplice almost. Other than an ally. Yeah, that that's the next level up, you know. Thank you. So uh tell me about uh becoming Grand Marshal. How do you feel about that? What do you think about that?

SPEAKER_02 3:35

I I'm still shocked. Um I'm very humbled because well, because of the nature of the recognition that it is as an ally, I am not in the LGBTQ community. And so to be honored by Houston's queer community is an incredible honor. I mean, it's it's lots of like double an honor in a way. I am always really, really careful about where my voice is in uh advocating for trans rights and equality and uh for the larger LGBTQ community. And so to be honored with this, like, oh, I guess it is okay to be to be loud and visible as an ally and just to know that my voice is appreciated. And it's just it's an incredible honor.

SPEAKER_09 4:25

I I think that you deserve it. So it's it's a well-deserved honor. There's there's not too many people that that are like you are. In fact, you teach people uh about being an ally, don't you? I do. Tell us about that.

SPEAKER_02 4:38

Yeah, so uh there's a few things that I do. Uh about four years ago, I founded the social impact business, Parents of Trans Youth. Um, and I guess I should back up um the reason why I founded this resource is that I am the parent of two transgender young adults. And when they came out to me, I had a hard time finding resources. Um, and the first one came out just like 10 years ago. They're they're out there, but they were just kind of here and there and and just not all together. And so I wanted to build the resource that I wish I had when they came out to me. And so um, so now Parents of Trans Youth helps parents and caregivers support their children and young adults because because that's really what it's all about, because having support in the home is the number one protective factor for trans kids and and for LGBTQ kids as well. And so we want our kids to thrive and not just survive. So that's why it's really important. And so part of that support is education and teaching parents and caregivers how to advocate for their kids, whether in their home, in their families, out in the world, in school, all that kind of stuff. And then also part of my work is speaking to other organizations about what it means to be an ally and turning that allyship into action that, like, say, it's great if you wear a t-shirt with rainbows on it, and this is speaking for allies, or like, you know, I'm an ally mom or whatever it is. And that's like the first step. So, what happens after the t-shirt? What can you do in your community? How can you find out more about the issues that are going on in your local area, in your state, and even in the country right now? So, as you

Building Parents Of Trans Youth

SPEAKER_02 6:30

mentioned, we do a lot together in the local level and the state level. And that's where I've been most active in my advocacy as well.

SPEAKER_09 6:39

That's awesome. Um, I know a lot of great I send a lot of people to you. When people ask me, when people come to me and ask me and and they have uh trans youth, my first thing is, hey, you need to talk to Mandy. And I say, Hey, Mandy, can I give this person your number?

SPEAKER_02 6:56

Yeah. And I always say yes. Yes, definitely. I mean, really, that was one of the things that helped me the most when my kids came out to talk to other parents um and caregivers to just share our similar experiences and say, like, am I uh, you know, is this normal to feel this way? Is it normal to have sometimes kind of doubts or like this roller coaster of emotions? And and the answer is yes. And then then here's how you move on and to to celebrating your kids or sharing resources of like how do I find bathing suits for my kids? I just talked to someone today who um has a a young kiddo and they're like, I didn't even know that there's bathing suits out there, you know, or like, you know, undergarments for trans kids and something that makes them feel comfortable in their their bodies and and in their clothes. Just even things like that, or books or websites or glossaries for parents to figure out all of the the new words and terms and labels that that were not around when people of um a certain age were younger and we're we're all still still learning those. Mandy, I bet I bet I bet I'm older than you. Oh, I don't know. I don't know. I don't know.

SPEAKER_09 8:15

But I've really liked all the new language. It's uh helped me better express myself. So I suggest any older folks, I mean, I'm 50, any older folks out there that want to learn, it's it's not really that hard. Just uh give it a little try. And I know they can do it. Yeah, okay, so I am older than you.

SPEAKER_02 8:32

Yes, it does, you know, it takes some time, especially, you know, just and what I tell parents all the time is depending on maybe the family you grew up in or your environment or or your city, state, uh maybe faith background or whatever background or baggage or whatever, you might have a lot of unlearning to do of how you thought the world worked, how you thought people worked with in regards to sexuality or gender. And once you kind of break open that mold of how you thought the world was, then it becomes this gosh, um, I'm gonna give myself goosebumps of like this world of beautiful possibilities and to be able to see that in your kid is incredible. And then it becomes easier to embrace and learn all this new language because you know at the beginning, maybe parents are like, what? They, them for one person, what does that mean? And then later they're like, of course, that's so easy. How could you not do that? So it's just about being open to to learning and and to open to these incredible possibilities of being who you are in the world.

SPEAKER_09 9:42

Yeah, that that that's a great answer. And yes, they them, that's me. Has been used for like 600 years. Yeah. So it's it's it's not really a new thing. It's older than our country. Okay, there you go. But yeah, it is new to a lot of people though. And it's great that they have you, someone who can just be like they can identify with you, right? You're you're a parent of trans news, you've been through this, you know, hang out with trans people all the time, you know. So you're like, you know, in the mix there, you know, that that you're a great resource for folks. Thank you. Yeah, you're you're you're the like I said, you're the person I said people to. Well, thank you. Thanks. So uh what did your kids think about uh all the stuff that you were doing and and you start in that group and everything that Yeah, uh good question.

SPEAKER_02 10:32

They're excited. I mean, they they're they're very supportive. Um, in fact, even when I first started advocating at the Texas Capitol, the first year I did, one of my kids was in school at UT Austin. And so they came and testified with me and my husband. I would say that is the proudest

Advocacy At The Texas Capitol

SPEAKER_02 10:55

and most heartbroken that I've ever been is to watch my kid fighting for almost begging for their rights and their dignity to this group of legislators who, gosh, probably the majority of them, whatever committee it was, really did not care about them. And it's was very hard to watch, but also it really is is the proudest I've ever been. Um, and then the next year, the next legislative session, um, the kids' twin, my other non-binary kiddo, had transferred to UT Austin from another school. And so they had more availability. And so they were able to join me in a lot of the committee hearings and activities, and there was a lot that year. And it was really cool to be able to experience that as a family. And actually, that was one reason why that second kiddo had transferred because they went to a school up in the Northeast and they they were kind of like had FOMO, like, wait, I I I want to fight for for my state and my people, and no one cares up here in Massachusetts. And so they wanted to be down there, and so you know, they lived a couple of blocks from the Capitol and were able to go and um and to meet, oh my gosh, meet people that maybe I well meet, well, I'll tell you this. There was one time we went to, it was like a um kind of a gathering room while we were at the Capitol, while we were waiting for testimony to start, whatever. And my kid said, This is the most queer people, the most trans people I have ever been around in my life. And like I started crying. Like that I I wouldn't say I gave that to them, but I I helped introduce them to people who had similar lived experiences. And as a cisgender person, I can't really give that to them. And so that was a really cool experience that that both of my kids have gotten from being active in their own ways as well. Texas does have a lot of trans folks. Yes, yes. And I try to explain that to people when I talk to people all over the country and then or like even online and like I would never go to Texas. If I if you loved your kid, you would take them out of Texas. I mean, yeah, sometimes it's it can be hard, obviously. And I I mean, I'm say that lightly as someone who who has privilege as a cisgender straight white person. Um, and I know a lot of people who are here and they don't want to leave and shouldn't have to leave because this is their home. And yeah, I love them. I love this community.

SPEAKER_09 13:35

Well, also, I don't know if other people outside of Texas know this, but Texas exports their policy. What happens in Texas is is always a precursor to what could happen in other states and possibly other countries. Texas is a leader in the in in the world in many things. Yes, in the worst way. And sometimes in the worst way. And so and sometimes those things are good or bad policies. You know, sadly it's been bad policies recently, yeah, last years. But, you know, the the Roe v. Wade case where they legalized Roe v. Wade originally, that was a Texas case, you know. So there's a lot of really great policies or bad policy. Like I said, Texas influences, has a lot of influence. So if people don't stay here and fight it, it's it's gonna go to the safe space, to the safe states, you know. They have to fight it at the belly in the belly of the beast, I think.

SPEAKER_02 14:26

Yeah, yeah. And that and that's one reason why I do that, because I I can, because I do have these different layers of privilege and access um and availability. And my trans kids are over 18. And so I am able to be public without worrying too much about the safety of my family and of my kids. I mean, they're I've definitely taken precautions, and I think everybody has to has to and should do that to some extent. And it's a little bit easier for me in that way. So I feel like it's a duty. I I have to do that. I have to speak out.

SPEAKER_09 14:59

Well, I absolutely thank you for for speaking me out the way you do, you know, being who you are, the world isn't better off with people like you in it. And our community needs our allies, especially right now, you know, similar to your your kids. I hadn't seen such a large amount of people that not just trans people, but allies. When when we were fighting uh the bad bill about banning kids from having their health care. Yes. We showed up 28 to 1 at the Capitol. 2,899 people or something. That was incredible. I mean, 2,800 people showed up to to stand with us.

SPEAKER_02 15:35

That that gives me hope for sure.

SPEAKER_09 15:37

And that this is Texas, you know. So if this is what Texas is like, imagine in states where it's not so far along the agenda.

unknown 15:48

Yeah.

SPEAKER_09 15:49

But uh so what do you have in store for the future of parents of trans youth and for the next year of being the grand marshal?

SPEAKER_02 15:59

Wow. Oh,

Allies Turning Support Into Action

SPEAKER_02 16:00

well, one thing that it's kind of new in Parents of Trans Youth that we are building on is we have a new online community for parents and caregivers. And this has been my dream to create this uh for the last gosh five or six years, and it's finally coming to fruition. We've got, let's see, I think like 115 members now that from all over the country, and even a few international folks. I wanted to create a safe, airtight, confidential space where parents and caregivers of trans kids and young adults could get together and speak freely about whatever challenges, joys, anything that's going on with their kids to support each other. Because I'm just one person and I have one experience with my kids. And to have the this wonderful community that is all helping each other has been beautiful to watch. And people have already started getting together outside of the virtual space and getting together in person, which has been really, really cool. So we're definitely building on that and bringing more people into the community and finding more really, I guess, referral sources. I feel like we're the best kept secret. And so for people to know that this resource exists is is going to be one of my priorities. And I guess in terms of um being the the ally grand marshal, just letting people know that they need to be allies need to be loud and visible of allies of the LGBTQ plus community in general, and particularly for the transgender community, because, like you said, sort of Texas is, I don't know, the canary and the coal mine of these policies and issues that are going on. And the things that we're seeing around the country, if they haven't made it to Texas yet, they are coming next year in our legislative session. And so allies need to show up because just in terms of numbers, the transgender community, the different numbers that I see, somewhere between one and two percent of the population, they're some of the strongest people I know, and they cannot fight for themselves alone. And so allies have to fight for trans rights and trans equality because it's a human rights issue and it affects all of us. So that is my message that allies need to get on the bus and be loud and proud of allies.

SPEAKER_09 18:29

I absolutely agree because we're a small community, even though we there's a lot of us in Texas. Yeah we've got a great community. Like you said, one to two percent of the population. You know, when whenever is uh community so outnumbered, how how well can we do fighting against the powers that be if we don't have allies uh standing in front of us, beside us, you know, and using whatever privileges they have, you know. I know that they listen to me more now that I uh am further along my transition. They let let me talk in legislative committee for 10 minutes last time. They engaged me, asked me questions, even though they were Republicans and disagreed. You know, they asked me they they let me talk for 10 minutes rather than looking at their phones for two minutes.

SPEAKER_02 19:12

Yeah, that is so frustrating. Well, that's good. That's a victory right there.

SPEAKER_09 19:16

Yes, right. It shows the privilege that I'm gaining. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I hope to share that privilege with everyone. Just like to be an ally to everyone that doesn't have the privileges that I have. So I I really appreciate you and and what you do and who you are.

unknown 19:33

Thank you.

SPEAKER_09 19:33

And I sure hope that everybody comes out to celebrate you and give you your flowers because you definitely deserve it. Anything else you have to say before we go?

SPEAKER_02 19:43

Oh gosh. Just that if anybody, any of the listeners are looking for resources on how to best support their trans kids, because I know people are always looking. Sometimes it it can be strangely difficult to find those resources. Come over to parentoftrans youth.com. All of our links are there. We've got free stuff you can look at. We've got um a huge resource list where you can find other resources in different areas for whatever you're looking for. Um, that's a big thing that I like to do is help people find what they're looking for and and be like a resource curator. So we're not the the only game out there, and it's it it's great to to make sure that people have what they need.

SPEAKER_09 20:28

Well, I'm glad that you're you're there doing that. And thank you so much, Mandy. I I felt so honored to be able to interview you today. Luckily, I know some of the best people in the world, and uh I've I've been honored to be able to interview a few of them, but you're one of my favorites. Keep doing your thing. Uh you've got all my support

Finding Resources And Getting Help

SPEAKER_09 20:50

for sure. If if I get to, I I might walk with you. Yes, yes, I'll text you. All right. Okay, y'all. So so this is Ethan Michelle Gans on Queer Voices, and we've been talking to Mandy Giles, the founder of Parents of Trans Youth, and the ally Grand Marshall for Pride Houston this year.

Brett 21:07

Thank you, everyone. Hi there. This is Brett Cullum,

Beautiful Opens At The Hobby Center

Brett 21:10

and Tuts is producing a local version of the Carol King musical, Beautiful, which will open at the Hobby Center on May 19th, and it's going to run through May 31st. Now, one of the things that I'm really excited about Beautiful is there is a lot of local talent in this one. But uh, one of my favorites from Houston is returning to the theater under the stars stage. I have Labrasca, Washington. He was recently seen in the hit production of Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now with the hairspray ladies, right? Yeah. You get to sing with these people? Yep, I have Laura Bell Bondy's phone number. My gosh, I am so envious right now. But I know that you were in Sister Act, you did Mary Poppins. I saw you in that Esther musical, the pre Broadway trial. And you are just a force. I love seeing you on stage. So I am so excited to see you in this. But my first Question for you is how much did you know about Carol King before this? Was this like material for you?

SPEAKER_08 22:07

Well, not necessarily. I as a music like aficionado, you realize, well, actually, yeah. You realize you know, you know songs, but then you don't realize like who actually wrote them. So, like, even over the course of like the show, I've been hearing this music and I'm like, they wrote that? Damn, so it's it's uh I think the only songs from Carol King I actually knew were like Natural Woman, obviously. Uh I feel the earth move. And I think the other big one, my grandmother used to sing it all the time was Up on the Roof, which is a drifter song that they wrote. I knew a couple, but it's it's more ingrained in you than I think. So I'm like, oh, I do know this song. This song is lit. And all of her music actually is very affecting. The way she writes and the way she orchestrates everything, there's a story inside of the lyrical her lyrics, and then in the music and the orchestrations, there's also a story in there that helps everything flow together. So yeah, I I love I love I love Carol King. I love her. I love her.

Brett 23:03

You know, as much credit as other music writers get, or like Joni Mitchell, I think she's incredible. I mean, she's it's she's interesting. And and when I watched the Neil Diamond musical, you know, you didn't realize how much he wrote as well. Um and Carol, just behind the scenes. I mean, I have to admit that Tapestry is my on-repeat album. If I get really down or whatever, then I'm going to tapestry. And I loved, and I don't think that anybody really gives her enough props for the work with the black girl groups, like the crystals and all of that. That was amazing. I mean, she wrote a lot of really great stuff. So, but tell me what is this musical like? Like what is the narrative or what does it feel like? You know, is it is it the whole story of her life? Or I mean, how are we how are we handling this one?

SPEAKER_08 23:48

I'd say uh we're starting about we're starting when she first, when she truly first like takes her first shot at 1690. And we go, I think up until right after the div her first divorce with Jerry, and we actually see the recording of Tapestry, uh, specifically You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman. And then it jumps after that. She's won numerous awards, and then we, you know, start the show. Are we in the show? How we start the show, which is her at the piano, starting her concert, and then at the end we go back into the concert, which is great. And it starts off and just like numerous awards, Grammys, like all of this. And you're like, dang, she she she did that damn thing.

Brett 24:31

You know what I mean? Like she's amazing as far as like how far she came. What numbers do you specifically have to perform in this one? Like what songs did you have to take all in?

SPEAKER_08 24:40

The numbers from hell. The numbers from hell. Okay. Um, it our our track as drifters, it's it's pretty dang, it's pretty dang fierce. It's sort of a princess track, but then it's not, it's uh we sing pretty much in any ensemble number, but then uh our specific numbers are some kind of wonderful. My solo that I do is up on the roof, and then uh we do um on Broadway right after that. And then right after that, we go into locomotion with a full quick change and hair. And it's it's crazy, but it's all gonna be worth it and beautiful.

Brett 25:18

But you said your grandmother used to sing up on the roof.

SPEAKER_08 25:20

Yeah, my mom, my mom was talking to me about it the other day. She was like, What's your solo that you do? And I was like, Up on the roof. She was like, Oh, your grandma used to sing that all the time around the house at work, just like that was one of her favorite songs. And so I never knew that. Also, my grandma's been dead for years, so it's like always nice to like find a new kind of like anchor in that sense. Like, oh, we have this in common. Okay, love you, sis. You know, when you're still here, yeah. All right, I got you, I got you.

Brett 25:48

It's fun. It's so wild that that's that becomes your solo number if that was like her her jam back in the day. So there you go. It's still insane. Yeah, no, I just think I love those kind of cosmic things when that happens. That just means that you were meant to be in this show and getting that particular track and all of that. So

Carol King Songs And The Story

Brett 26:05

you are exactly where you want to be. I think it's weird how the universe does that sometimes. Tell me about what it's like working with uh Dan Connectus as a director. Oh, Daniel.

SPEAKER_08 26:14

Oh Dan. We love Daniel Connectus. I've done so many shows with Dan now. I believe that this is my seventh. Wow. If I count correctly, my first was in the 50th. Well, well, Dan didn't direct that one. That was Robert O'Dara. My first show that Dan directed, I think, was actually Steract. No, I think, okay, Racktime, The Whiz, and then after that, oh Susical. Susical was, I think, the first one I think Dan ever truly directed me in. And then after that, that was at Miller Outdoor Theater with like Christina Holland, uh, Vavra was Maisie, Raven Troop was Gertrude, Mark Ivy was Horton. And then uh yeah, I want to say Sister Act and Mary, nope, Sister Act, and no, Dan actually, I think this is my fourth show, actually, under him.

Brett 27:02

I'm glad he's made such an impression that you're not sure which ones are. Just getting rid of it.

SPEAKER_08 27:06

Because I have to like go back and go, like, okay, well, this was Robert O'Hara, and this one was Marsha Melchrom Dodge, and then and then we go here, and then we do this one, but then there's like another one where like he wasn't a director, and then there's this one, and then so yeah, I'd say about like this is like my maybe my fourth or fifth show with Dan.

Brett 27:23

What's his approach to this one? I mean, is it how has it been working on Beautiful?

SPEAKER_08 27:27

Beautiful, it's been uh a very collaborative process. The team is very, very being in that room, honestly, is just amazing every single day. Dan is very organic. Dan isn't puppeteer. Dan doesn't the thing I love about Dan, I think, is that Dan chooses smart, strong people who like make active choices and live in this situation, right? The suspension of disbelief and making everything flow and wanting to have legitimate reasons or like actions for why would you make that choice? Where are we going to with this? How does this all lead into like the next scene and everything? And so that's what I love about Dan. He he picks strong people. We can make a choice, and Dan can just look at the picture and make the picture look good, and then turn around and go, you know, hey, I didn't, I don't really think that that's the best choice. Let's let's find something else here, and then it all works. So it's very collaborative. And I love Dan. Dan's great.

Brett 28:21

Well, you know, he does have a stacked cast because let's get real Holland Vavra, Ben Chavez, Mark Ivy, and one of my like newest obsessions in town. I love her and everything I see her in. Sarah Sachi. I mean, what the heck? All these people, they're so amazing.

SPEAKER_08 28:37

Love Saatchi. We did uh we did a thunder knocking on the door at stages together. Yes. So it's always it's always a fun time when I get to see my quote unquote little sister, but also like my wife, quote unquote. It's wild, but yeah, it's always a fun time.

Brett 28:53

It's great. Yeah. You know, one thing I always wanted to ask you is where does your name come from?

SPEAKER_08 28:57

So it's like my great-great-great-great aunt. She had a twin brother who passed away maybe three weeks after birth. And so technically I think I was actually named after him.

Brett 29:08

Okay. So yeah. So it's the family name, basically.

SPEAKER_08 29:11

Essentially, I think I'm like the third one though, which is insane.

Brett 29:15

Yeah. Tell me a little bit about LaBraska. How did you get started? Like what was what was got you into this crazy business? I mean, I've just I've always just I've always been a weirdo.

SPEAKER_08 29:26

Um, and then when you find out you have ADHD, that's always great too. No, I've just always been acting and singing, and I've always been uh, I guess you could say empathic, and then I get apathetic a lot. But that's another story for another day. Always just wanting to this sounds toxic, but it's not, I promise. Catharsis, playing with people's emotions. That sounds bad, but catharsis is such a big thing of theater in itself. You go to the theater to have that release of the emotions, whatever you're feeling, or whatever. You hopefully you find something that you're watching that you can gravitate towards, and there's a release from whatever you're feeling as well. So yeah, I've been singing since I was like three. I've been acting since middle school. Like you name it. I've I've done it. I just, yeah. And then I went to MCC in Waco, Texas, and then I graduated from there and went to Santa Fe University of Art and Design. Rest in peace, it's no longer there. But I had so many great teachers, John Jory, like real big names in like the acting theater film world: Robert Benedetti, Victor Talmadge, uh John Jory, his wife, Marsha Milgram, wrong one, Marsha, Dixie Jory, famous costume designer. Like, we had so many people there that helped us really understand what it meant and took to still have a career in the theater, but love it for like what it is and take it for all its ups and downs and stuff. And now that the coolest part about that was too, all of those people were still having full-on careers. Like we'd be in class one week and all of a sudden Mr. Jory's gone because he's got a directing gig he's gotta go do

Training, Career, And Voice Acting

SPEAKER_08 31:00

for a month. And you're like, all right, cool. So that was also very nice to see. Acting for me is uh I'd say singing came first and then the acting. I can see that the acting came around later.

Brett 31:10

Yeah, I I really you are so soulful on stage. Thank you. And I love to watch you sing. Um, I love to watch you act too. I mean, don't get me wrong, but I there is something signature about your voice, the way you deliver songs. It's very it's almost like a brand or something. I I don't know what else I could say. It's just it's interesting. But let me ask you this what has been your favorite role so far that you've got to do?

SPEAKER_08 31:35

Um well, I do a lot of voice acting as well.

Brett 31:38

Yes, I saw that.

SPEAKER_08 31:39

How did you get into voice acting? It's so gate-kept. It's not even funny. Like it is very gate-kept. But I my story is interesting. I started playing Dungeons and Dragons with a couple of like directors at Sentai Filmworks, and I just like played with them for a year and then was doing voices and stuff, and then it just got to the point where I was like, hey, so seeing a lot of y'all's work at this the studio. I watched a lot of those animes. I think y'all do great work. Can I have a shot? And they were like, Yeah, send us a voice reel and come on. And I I got in, thankfully. So it's uh it was a lucky process for sure. What was the other part of that question?

Brett 32:19

No, that's it. I mean, I just uh you know, voice acting, it's it's very different because I yeah. I mean, and especially when you talk about anime, because Japanese is nothing like English. So the way that they say things can be either very concise or very long, and trying to match that timing with everything is just it's an art in and of itself.

SPEAKER_08 32:38

Yeah, there's always uh I did a character, his name is Jura Homer. He's a sociopathic, insane baby, and I love him. All of his lines were so long, so like they're so short. What I'm saying is so short, but it's so long due to like the transcribing. So you have to elongate stuff, you're in a booth screaming, you're doing a full body workout. I remembered what the other question was. Okay, my favorite other roles. I've done so many, but I mean, if if I have to be real, Thunder probably at stages was probably my favorite so far. Still a bit of a dark one, on terminus with like Heath Ledger and the dark like that situation where like it could it could get very, very dark if you're not careful. And then honestly, Sister Act, sister act playing a Monsignor O'Hara Sister Act is so is such a fun gig. It's a princess track. You literally just come in, you talk to Brother Superior, and you're God, and you come in, you do some funny stuff, and you're God, and you just it's oh man, sister act is also really fun. Yeah, thought about all of that for a second. Oh god, distract it's so funny.

Brett 33:46

Do you have any idea of what's next for you after Beautiful? I mean, I know you're you're in the hobby center through May, obviously. We're still being a director.

SPEAKER_08 33:54

We're still uh there are there are some options I have right now. Right now we're still doing just a normal nine to five when we can't, but I have a couple, I think, of uh voiceover gigs lined up. I can't say anything just yet some.

Brett 34:06

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_08 34:06

Don't don't don't reveal anything you're um and then yeah, I've just like been auditioning. I've just been auditioning out here in these streets, you know. But I think it's I've done a couple of auditions and like out of town. So like we'll see if I book any of those. You know what I'm saying? Gotta travel around.

Brett 34:24

Yeah, yeah. We gotta go where the the opportunity is for sure. Well, since we're on queer voices, I wanted to ask you, how do you identify?

SPEAKER_08 34:31

I'm gay. I am of the queer community, I am of the homosexual variety. Thank you so much.

Brett 34:37

Well, I wanted to ask you, you know, you've obviously got a very busy May. And of course, June is Pride Month. Are there any special celebrations that you do for Pride? Do you go to the parade? Do you get involved with all that?

SPEAKER_08 34:47

Well, I am also like a homebody. It's very weird when you're uh when you're an actor. Like I'm so extroverted, but it's sort of contradictory because then I I I have the best way to put it is I have to be performative like every day, like so, so high energy. So when I don't have the opportunity to be, I'm such an introvert. I sit at home, I'm out of my business, I'm on my P's and Q's, I don't bother people. But it's about time I start getting out. Because everyone now, even like Mark, uh Mark's like, what are you doing? Come on out. And I'm I'm okay. It's just too much. I don't. So I gotta I gotta get out of that. But I think I should possibly be performing with Christina this uh this summer, I think, at some Pride stuff. So that'll be fun. Because I always sing I like a part of Christina Wells' band.

Brett 35:37

Yeah, we always sing. Christina's amazing.

SPEAKER_08 35:39

Love Christina.

Pride Plans And Performing Life

SPEAKER_08 35:40

I think I think I can say a bit of a sneak peek exclusive, which is there's a Christmas album coming out soon.

SPEAKER_06 35:50

Oh yeah.

SPEAKER_08 35:51

So that'll be fun. We're starting work on that soon, and that'll be that'll be dope. Christmas in July.

Brett 35:59

Yeah, of course. Is that with Christina? Mm-hmm. Okay, gotcha. I want to make sure I'm getting a Christina Christmas. Yes, and we're not getting a Lebraska holiday out there.

SPEAKER_08 36:08

No, when we did uh Christina got to do her uh founders club. Yes. You know, they always do the founders club concerts, and uh we got to do that earlier this year, and yeah, all of a sudden I get an email from Christina that's like, hey baby, Christmas said, All right, you ain't telling me nothing but a word. Sure, let's do it.

Brett 36:26

Well, that's awesome. How did you two meet, Christina and you?

SPEAKER_08 36:29

Was it just working? Yeah, I think I Sucicle. Yeah. Sousical was when I first met Christina. Um she was the sour kangaroo, she was the villain in uh just a giant kangaroo with an attitude, which is Christina.

Brett 36:43

And it's so funny because Christina is, I think she's gonna be in The Little Mermaid for Tuts. Um, they're bringing it back. Yeah, she was Ursula originally. And she's such a she's such a great villain.

SPEAKER_08 36:56

But when you meet her, she's such a sweetheart. Christina, that's the thing. Everyone thinks that she's like a diva. Everyone thinks she's and it's like, no, she's truly the sweetest soul. So down to her. She's the sweetest soul. And like Christina will give you the shirt off her back if she needs to. Like, if you need help, Christina will help you. I love Christina. We've done so much that it's just like if anybody comes for Christina, I fight them. You know what I'm saying? Like, oh, I'd be there with you. We don't, we don't mess with her. You leave her.

Brett 37:22

No, no, no, I would too. I'm a big Christina Wells fan, but I'm also a big Lebraska-Washington fan. And I am so excited to see you in the Carol King musical, beautiful, Theater under the Stars, Hobby Center, May 19th through May 31st. Uh, and I'm excited about this one because like I said, local talent like you.

SPEAKER_08 37:39

If you if you're like a fan of like, if you're part of the zeitgeist, if you're like a part of like pop culture and you really I think like if I was born in a different era, you know, sans racism, it probably would be in like the 60s or 70s, because the music back then was so, so good. Like I I would, and because I think in that way, I'm like, hopefully, other people think in that way too, of like, oh, this music is just timeless. It's uh and it really does take you back. It it forces you to well not force, but it makes you think and it brings lots to the floor your mind, and you go, oh, you start to dream, you start to like I this this show is literally y'all are gonna have a great time with this show. It's and it's a strong story too. Because you see, I can't wait to see that. Yeah, she you see her really fight. You see, I mean, I'm not gonna spoil too much, but you definitely see the story of a woman maybe potentially being silenced in a world full of men, but her voice is so strong that you can't deny her voice. And so, like, it's yeah, it it's it's it's truly a beautiful show.

Brett 38:44

You know what I do think is interesting is you mentioned the music of the 60s and the 70s. I think that when we go through turbulent times, I think art steps in and makes up for it and comforts us. And when I think of Tapestry and Carol King, I think of some comforting music, and I think she was there at a time when we probably needed that. And certainly we're in that era again, so perfect timing to bring beautiful to the stage, reunite you with your grandmother's favorite song, and bring all this great local talent to the stage. So wonderful. So awesome. So thank you. Thank you for taking the time and break legs with Carol King and keep Mike in check. All right. Thank you so much.

Why KPFT Needs Listener Support

Deborah 39:28

This radio program, Wear Voices, has existed since the 1970s on KPFT. We have this little crew of folks working every week to produce what's no longer unique because we're almost mainstream now, but we're still an important voice that might not otherwise get heard because it's not on that many places. So KPFT is very important to give voices to those who might not otherwise have voices. So as Glenn always says, you participate by listening. You should also participate by supporting the station. So please go to kpft.org and make your donation right away.

Brett 40:23

Hi there, this is Brett

Dear Alien And The Advice Columnist

Brett 40:25

Cullum, and the Alley is now presenting Dear Alien. It's a show that will be running through May 31st. It is a world premiere by playwright Liz Duffy Adams. It is going to be on the new house stage. It is one of those that I like to call it one hour and 30 minutes, no intermission, one and done, very quickly. And today I am talking with the lead who plays the alien, I guess.

SPEAKER_06 40:46

Dear Alien.

Brett 40:48

Yeah, yeah. Nice to see you, Brett. Nice to see you too, of course. What is this about? I mean, I I look at this title and I go, what? Okay.

SPEAKER_01 40:55

Yeah. It is it might not be about what you think it's about. No, yeah, who knows? It is a really wonderful play by Liz who did Born with Teeth for Us a few years ago. She's also a really good friend, just an incredible, incredible playwright, incredible person. And it's basically a story of um of an advice columnist who has sort of anonymized himself and locked himself in his apartment because the world has become a little too much to deal with. And it's sort of about his journey, his journey to hope. And he gives himself a bit of an ultimatum, which I won't spoil the play by telling you what it is. And from that moment, the play sort of takes off. And it's about, you know, his journey and his interaction with these letters and these people that are writing him for advice and for help and how that changes him.

Brett 41:40

So interesting, because I don't think I can relate to this. No. I mean, this sounds very timely. Yeah. I mean, absolutely. And it's interesting in the zeitgeist plays right now. There are a lot of plays about advice columnists, which is really interesting. And we've seen a couple this year in Houston. But this one in particular gets labeled existentialist theater. And I wanted to ask you, what does that mean?

SPEAKER_01 42:02

Well, I think that, I mean, first to sort of say, I think it differs from other sort of quote-unquote advice columnist plays you might see. First of all, they're around because I think a lot of people have a real fascination with advice columnists and the way that they reach out to people and then the way that people reach out to them. This is one that sort of explores the different facets of life that don't feel so easily explained. And it really, I think it meets the audience where we are right now, kind of navigating this world that we're in, which is not always a bright, easy one, which is one that sometimes offers us challenges beyond what the challenges may have been 15, 20 years ago, but also at the same time the same challenges that human beings have been dealing with since the beginning of time. This one is different in that this is a a dude who has sort of, I mean, for lack of a better word, little Edie Bouvier beeled himself into his apartment in this sort of large, unnamed city. And while people are reaching out to him for advice, he's looking at he's looking to them to show him something new. He's tired of getting the same question over and over and over again, or the same variation of those questions. And he needs something, some transcendently unanswerable question that could be a miracle that could save him.

Brett 43:14

Well, one thing I think is interesting too, it gets uh compared a lot to Satra's work because there are three characters. Well, basically three actors. And the two actors besides you, the actor and the actress, play like multiple people. So it's like three people trapped into a room asking each other questions.

SPEAKER_01 43:31

Absolutely. And it's, you know, it's the incredible Brandon Hernsberger and the equally incredible Melissa Milano, who are actors that can really do anything. And they sort of embody these letters that make their way into the play. And, you know, at the beginning, we're not trapped in a room together. At the beginning, they kind of exist on their own, and then they kind of either get invited into or they invade the space in the same way that thoughts do, you know? And um, I don't know. I think the audiences are in for some real surprises in the way that that happens.

Brett 44:00

Well what is the biggest challenge for you in all of this? I mean, obviously for the other two, it's playing multiple characters and all of that. But as an actor, what is this character? What's the big challenge for you?

SPEAKER_01 44:09

Well, you know, it is Liz has an incredible way of writing dialogue. And it's she's such an intelligent, deeply feeling person that she crafts these thoughts that literally have a head, a body, and a tail. And bringing those to life and at the same time making sure the show doesn't just feel like a monologue. Because nobody nobody wants to come. I mean, maybe some people want to come and hear one person talk for a long time. I'm not one of those people. You will find in this play that the audience is as much a character in it as anyone is. Without the audience and without that that interface that I have with them to kind of converse back and forth, I think it would become a long rambling speech. And it and it hasn't in a really special way. And I think that has to be attributed to the way that Liz writes and the way that Liz views the world. It's such a unique, beautiful, sometimes sardonic and deeply funny way of accounting for the world that we live in.

Brett 45:03

But you know, Dylan, I'd be there if you did a big long monologue just by yourself. You know, that's that's fine. Now you've mentioned Liz a lot, Liz Duffy Adams. What did you what is your connection with her before? I know you did Born with Teeth, correct?

SPEAKER_01 45:15

You know, Liz and I met the year before the pandemic in the Before Times because we had done a really brief workshop uh Born with Teeth together at the alley. And then we launched that show here, which ended up going to the Guthrie in Minneapolis, an Oslo rep in Sarasota. But and and that show was just filled with many gifts. It brought me one of my best friends, Matt Amit, but it also brought me one of my closest friends, Liz Duffy Adams. And with each inception of that show, we got to know each other better. And now she's kind of in the family category for me. Like, um, she just is a a person that the more you get to know her, the more you love her. And this has been another opportunity in order to do that, and for us to kind of really get to understand how our our hearts and our brains work. And she's been so brave as to trust me with this incredibly personal material. And I don't know. I I I I just feel really lucky to get to be a constant collaborator with her.

Brett 46:07

Well, let's mention again, this is a world premiere. I mean,

Existential Theater And Audience Connection

Brett 46:10

just like Gorman Matith. I mean, you we are creating this here in Houston. It will go on and have a life. Absolutely. Yeah, and working with Liz, does she know? Does she do you find that it's easier to do her scripts because you know her?

SPEAKER_01 46:21

No, because Liz doesn't write I mean, like, maybe in a small way, yes, but Liz's work sort of transcends what you might think of like as a style of work. She writes all different sorts of experiences. And this one, to me, knowing Liz, feels deeply personal to Liz. I, you know, I don't know if she would mind me saying this or not, but one time she she told me she was like, you know, I feel like I have the voice of a gay man. And I'm like, yeah. Like, and that's what I really kind of connect with inside of it, is it's like she's got this this kind of way of teasing things out that feels you know, you ask what the hard part is, I'll tell you what the easy part is to kind of give you the counterpoint to that question. Is that it, I mean, some of her dialogue just feels like it reads you for filth. It's like, oh, that's exactly how it is. That's exactly how I feel, that's exactly how I process things. So it feels special to get to have that overlap in the Venn diagram with her.

Brett 47:11

Dear Alien May 8th through May 31st. So not an ex not an explicitly long run. Obviously, in the new house, very intimate, uh which fits for this, I'm assuming.

SPEAKER_01 47:22

Yeah, I mean, I love both of our spaces, but there is something so special about working in the new house. Because, yes, you know, as actors, as you know this, we crave that fourth wall sometimes. But in the new house, it's the veil is thin, my friend. Like you feel like the audience is there with you in your lap, you're sort of in their lap, and what they give you in that space is what you turn around and give right back to them. It's a really special place to work, and it's an even more special place to premiere a brand new play because you get that immediate gratification of seeing how they're reacting to it.

Brett 47:57

Well, speaking of giving, what do you hope that people get out of this one?

SPEAKER_01 48:01

Oh yeah. I mean, in the first 20 minutes of the play, I think you will be like, why in the hell did he say that? Because maybe it doesn't feel like that to begin with, but it is a really beautiful, circuitous journey to that. And just speaking personally, you know, it it can be hard sometimes right now to wake up and keep keep all the events of the world out, or just live with the events of the world. And I think this play in a really interesting way teaches us how to do that. Not teaches us, that sounds patronizing, it's not, it gives us an example of how to live in a world that might sometimes feel overwhelming and to still find yourself in that world and to still meet yourself in that world where you are, where you wake up that day, and to still find a glimmer of hope in it.

Brett 48:47

But it's very timely because I do feel like we're living in this time where hope is almost a short supply. I mean, we always talk about like, you know, what gives you hope? What everything is going on is just so crazy and it's hard. So let me ask you that.

SPEAKER_01 49:00

What gives you hope? People, the fact that I can still go to work on a Tuesday night, and there are people who want to come to the theater that want to hear someone's words other than what the news is splatting at them, or what Facebook and Instagram is splatting at them all the time, and that people still want to sit in a room together and have the experience of letting their beliefs go for a moment and just being present with other human beings. You know, dare I say letting your heart sink up as you watch a play, and just being sitting in a room together and knowing that ultimately in the end we are all connected by that invisible thread. And as long as we can still have that, we can still have hope and a little belief in each other.

Brett 49:40

It's interesting how the art reacts to the world, and they become more important as the world becomes more confusing or dire or whatever the case may be. So we're certainly in a uh era where it's rich. And things like Dear Alien, you know, obviously speak to a lot of that. And I I'm glad to see you doing it. Thank you. And the end of the year.

SPEAKER_01 50:05

I probably will write this down eventually.

Brett 50:07

Oh yeah. Maybe this afternoon. Maybe later. But uh here, let me ask you just a silly question, just a softball thing. Because sometimes this errors on queer voices. What are you doing for pride? Oh my gosh, I'm so next. Please remind me when pride next month. You know, right after Dear Ariane closes.

SPEAKER_01 50:22

My partner and I are taking our dog, Buck, who's sitting in my lap right now, to we're going out to the hill country to spend just a a week alone. And that's not to say that we're like divorcing ourselves from the wonderful community that we're part of, because for me as a queer man, pride is all year long. It's not consigned to just to just one month. But the thing that makes me the most proud is the family that I've built with my partner and my dog and

Where Hope Comes From Right Now

SPEAKER_01 50:50

our family outside of that. And so to be able to go and and spend some time after what has been a an intense process and to focus on the things that I love, that that's what makes me the most proud. Yeah.

Brett 51:00

Well, no matter who you are, if you have a significant other and you're involved in theater, it is a hard relationship because I always talk about the theater widow and how your significant other, your spouse, you know, whoever, even your dog probably feels a little bit neglected by you when you're in this process, when you're opening everything and and going through because I don't think that people know how many hours it takes.

SPEAKER_06 51:22

Yeah.

Brett 51:23

I think the only people they can relate are maybe Elizabeth and Chris who are actually married and in the same productions, which good lord, who wants to do that?

SPEAKER_01 51:31

I know, right? I mean, I always tell I my I tell my partner Zach, my partner Zach is also in the arts, but in a different way. He's at the Museum of Fine Arts. And um, I'm like, we have just enough overlap to understand each other and not enough to get on each other's nerves.

Brett 51:44

My husband was a ballet dancer, so there you are.

SPEAKER_01 51:47

Hey, look at that.

Brett 51:48

See, it's it's it's it's a great formula, right? I am horrible at dancing. So you can appreciate, you can appreciate we can appreciate each other's talent and not have to compete on that level. Yeah. Be in the same tech week. Totally. Which, I mean, apparently next month, I think Elizabeth and Chris open misery.

SPEAKER_01 52:07

Yeah, but I mean what a gr I mean, if you gotta be in a tech week with your partner, you may as well be hitting them in the legs with a sledgehammer, right?

Brett 52:13

I have a feeling this is this is therapy. But but it sounds like Dear Alien is too, so only in the best way. Of course. And again, Dear Alien May through May 30 at the tiny little new house stage is not tiny, but comparatively speaking, to our other space, it's pretty small.

SPEAKER_01 52:30

But yeah, it's it's it's intimate.

Brett 52:32

It's the small one for the alley. Everyone else would be like, oh my gosh, this is huge. But hopefully it will do like horn with teeth, and it will have a life after its own, and you will get this amazing credit as being the person that originated the alien and dear alien.

SPEAKER_01 52:45

I hope so. I hope that this play gets a big life after this, you know? I really do.

Brett 52:50

Yeah. Well, here's fingers crossed that it would be it takes off like one with teeth, and we look forward to your next collaboration with Liz and Duffy Adams.

SPEAKER_01 52:58

Yay, thank you, Brad, so nice to see you.

Closing Music And Final Credits

SPEAKER_05 53:25

I look into the window of my mind Reflections of the fears I know I've left behind. I step out of the ordinary. I can feel my soul ascending. I'm on my way, can't stop you now, and you can understand I don't know.

SPEAKER_04 57:46

Check our webpage queervoices.org for more information.

Ghost of Glenn 57:52

Some of the material in this program has been edited to improve clarity and runtime. This program does not endorse any political views or animal species. Views, opinions, and endorsements are those of the participants and the organizations they represent. In case of debt, please discontinue use and discard remaining products.

SPEAKER_04 58:05

For Queer Voices, I'm Glenn Holt.