say gay plays: a fundraiser for the western montana lgbtq+ center
The Montana Repertory Theatre and the Western Montana LGBTQ+ Center, in partnership with Room 131 Productions, rooted theatre co., and Griz Downstage, present SAY GAY PLAYS, an evening of queer theatre to benefit the Center.
SAY GAY PLAYS was conceived by Voyage Theater Company in association with Tectonic Theater Project, Miami New Drama, and Provincetown Theater in response to the 2022 passage of the Parental Rights in Education bill in Florida, commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. In 2023, more than 520 state bills attacking LGBTQ+ rights were introduced, with more than 75 becoming law. The Human Rights Campaign officially declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the United States for the first time in history. And it’s getting worse. According to the ACLU, in 2024 alone, more than 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in 35 state legislatures around the country. SAY GAY PLAYS is about sharing queer stories of courage, triumph, and joy to counter the harmful narratives used as justification for the passage of these discriminatory bills.
SAY GAY PLAYS in Missoula will feature staged readings of several LGBTQ+ themed short plays in the catalog, the full selection of which includes works by: Fernanda Coppel, Mashuq Mushtaq Deen, Ty Defoe, Marquis D. Gibson, Nina Ki, Derick Edgren Otero, Harrison David Rivers, J. Harvey Stone, Lucy Thurber, and Doug Wright. All ticket sales will directly benefit the Western Montana LGBTQ+ Community Center in Missoula.
Saturday, February 1, at 7:30 PM in the Montana Theatre on the UM Campus.
BINGO! A NIGHT OF THEATRE, DANCE AND PRIZES
Ms. Lula Mae Johnson, celebrated Missoula philanthropist and ferocious bingo fanatic, has died. Honoring her final wish, her memorial service and will reading will take place during the regular bingo night at the Missoula Senior Center. The audience is invited to join Lula Mae’s long-time roommate, her bingo-calling nephew, and a colorful cast of characters for a surprising evening filled with celebration, song, dance, and prizes generously provided by Lula Mae’s estate.
Directed by Artistic Director Michael Legg, BINGO! features Monroe Ayers, Jaileen Hernandez, Octavio Jimenez, Eliza McNelly, Liz Moisan, Ann Peacock, Jes Partain, Lenny Peppers, Amy Ragsdale, Kenny Scruggs, and Walker Winterburn.
BINGO! showcases the work of four talented playwrights collaborating with local Missoula artists including Josh Farmer, Joy French, the Kinetic Convergence Dance Collective, and the UM School of Dance.
Performances will run from November 15-24 at the Missoula Senior Center.
Graphic Design by Alyssa English
MONSTER + FARMER
by JM CHRISTIANSEN
Step into the world of Riley, a teenage science whiz living on a Montana ranch near the Mission Mountains. When she picks up a copy of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Riley is inspired to craft a DIY creature of her own – all chronicled on her YouTube channel! When her creation goes haywire, Riley and her brother Aidan must minimize the chaos (and save the cows!), while all the world watches through their smartphones. MONSTER + FARMER is about creation and connection in an increasingly digital world.
Missoula Public Performances August 31 at 2:00 and 7:00 pm at ZACC.
Graphic Design by Alyssa English