The Two Deaths of Saint Sebastian
by Chris Browne Valenzuela
A look into the life (or afterlife) of the unofficial Patron Saint of gay boys. Saint Sebastian spends his days in Heaven, where he has befriended fellow martyr Saint Agatha (early Christian whose breasts were cut off and is always represented carrying them on a platter) in shared disillusion of eternity. That is until Sebastian gets a desperate prayer from a Queer kid. According to Catholic dogma saints are intercessors —carriers of intentions to God— but can’t intervene themselves. In this Queer, Catholic fantasy Sebastian is faced with the first moral question of his death.

 

Chris Browne Valenzuela (He/They) is a Chilean award-winning playwright, actor, and teacher. His one person show “Too Smart” won him the Hispanic Federation’s 2024 Abniel Marat award for Best Playwright. As an actor, some highlights include the leads in “Saguaros” at JACK, “Arpilleras” at The Secret Theatre and multiple credits as a company member of both Teatro SEA and The Mercury Store. He is also a faculty member at the Circle in the Square Theatre School and the Terry Knickerbocker Studio, where he teaches Mask Performance.

Long-term Survive Her
by Brian Belovitch (he/her/him)
This work in progress, examines life as a long term survivor of HIV, substance abuse, extreme homophobia and transphobia. This theatrical exploration from a beloved queer elder examines the changes and challenges of how conflicting viewpoints have evolved over time. What do you do when the deepest and most personal choice about your own gender identity becomes extremely provocative and challenging to our current status quo?

Brian Belovitch, (he, her, him) is a multi-hyphenate actor, author, public speaker and mental health professional. He has a storied career as a writer and gender outlier. He was a featured guest on “The Moth Storytelling Hour” on NPR relating a story from his critically acclaimed memoir, “Trans Figured: My Journey from Boy to Girl to Woman to Man.” During the height of the NYC club scene frenzy in the mid 80’s he lived as a vivacious trans woman. As Tish Gervais, he was breaking barriers as a nightclub performer at the Limelight, Palladium, Pyramid, Studio 54, Area and Danceteria as the “Bombshell of Rock n Roll.” As an actor he’s appeared on New York stages for more than three decades in various theatrical incarnations, most notably as a member of the Ridiculous Theatrical Company. Last Fall he appeared in “Twisted”, as Lavinia Monteblanc De La Croix in a new play at Theatre for the New City in NYC. His appearance as Alice, First Lady of the Earth in “Conquest of the Universe or When Queens Collide” by Charles Ludlam at LaMama marked the 50th anniversary of the Ridiculous. In 2019, Brian was a recipient of the Acker Award for writing that is given annually to East Village, NY avant- garde artists. As a playwright, his groundbreaking Off-Broadway play, “Boys Don’t Wear Lipstick”, was honored with a 2000 GLAAD nomination. Most recently he appears in Julio Torres directorial film debut, “Problemista.” In June 2019, Brian was named one of the 50 most influential LGBTQ authors of all time by Barnes and Noble and participated in the 50th anniversary of Stonewall Gay Pride Parade in New York City. Brian is also the subject of a documentary film that made its world premiere at DOC NYC titled; “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” directed by Karen Bernstein. He’s a frequent guest on multiple podcasts such as Ebony & Ivory with Lady Bunny and Monet Exchange and “Night Fever” with World of Wonder hosts James St. James and Fenton Bailey. Brian holds a Master Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Hunter College and had the unprecedented honor of delivering the commencement speech to the class of 2022. Presently, Brian works in private practice where he utilizes his lived experience as a cis gay man of trans experience to help others who are exploring their own identity journeys. As a long-term survivor of HIV Brian lives proudly as an out beloved gay man, advocating on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ community in all its wondrous expressions.

Patrick Ferris
Patrick Ferris is a 21 year old artist, writer, and performer born and raised in Stuyvesant Town, Manhattan. He is a graduate of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School and a student at Fashion Institute of Technology.