Copyright 2012 Carol Dennis, A Queer Resource

Talk-back After a Performance of Transfigurations

This outline of a facilitated talk-back is meant to serve as a starting point for a discussion with the
audience after they have seen your production of the play Transfigurations. You know your
community, so please feel free to modify this outline to best suit your needs. Whether you use this
format or create one of your own, we encourage you to schedule a post-performance talk.


The Reason for a Talk-Back:
The first public reading of Transfigurations took place after the 1998 Eugene, Oregon Gay PRIDE
celebration. It was a very receptive audience, yet after the last line of the play the audience clapped
politely and then didnt move -- no one got up to leave, no one spoke. It seemed the play was a flop.
Slowly conversations began between audience members. Eventually there were a half a dozen
separate discussions going on around the room and outside on the sidewalk. It became very clear
that the play had had a deep impact and that people were at a loss for what to do with their feelings
and thoughts. It also became clear that after seeing this play, people needed to talk.

Subsequent readings included a facilitated talk-back that added to the plays impact. We began to
think of this as Act II of the performance.



The Talk-Back:

Immediately following the performance, announce a five-minute break. This will give people who are
uncomfortable and those who might have been triggered a chance to leave or get air before the talk.

After the break, start the conversation by thanking the audience for coming and for being willing to
participate in this important conversation.

Fact:
The play was created from interviews with a dozen people who self identify as gender variant. Every
word in the play was spoken by one of these people. Every story is true.

Question:
Was there anything in the play that surprised you? Anything new you learned?


Fact:
We-Wa, a Zuni two-spirit was a real person. Although the letter that begins the play was written by
the playwrights, the story told in that letter is true.

Many Indigenous cultures embraced gender, sexual orientation, and sexuality as fluid entities. You
did not have to be exclusively woman or man, straight or gay, and sex was a natural and non-deviant
act. Gender and sexuality is an internalized truth and reflects ones connection to the earth,
surroundings and self.

Questions:
Do you see the definitions of what is male and what is female to be fix or created by culture and time?
How have you seen gender roles change in your lifetime?


Copyright 2012 Carol Dennis, A Queer Resource

Fact:
A 2010 study of almost 6500 people who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming revealed
that 63% experienced a serious act of discrimination. These events included the following:
Lost job due to bias
Eviction due to bias
School bullying/harassment so severe the respondent had to drop out
Teacher bullying
Physical assault due to bias
Sexual assault due to bias
Homelessness because of gender identity/expression
Lost relationship with partner or children due to gender identity/expression
Denial of medical service due to bias
Incarceration due to gender identity/expression


Question:
Do you believe these kinds of discriminations are happening in our community? If so, what can we do
to make our community more compassionate and understanding?


If ideas are generated for next steps and you have an organization that is looking for volunteers, this
could be a great opportunity to get new members involved in community education.


To end, thank everyone for coming. We recommend that you have a list of resources available for
those who would like to learn more about the topic of transgender. You can find a start on the
resource page at AQueerResource.org, adding local resources if you have them.