Beyond Travesti

hosted by Bryce McClendon

5.0 (2)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
UPDATED MONTHLY

Travesti: (from Italian, 'travestire,' meaning to dress up, or to disguise) An operatic tradition where a performer of one gender portrays a character of another. Beyond Travesti is a new series of interviews with transgender and gender-expansive opera and music-theatre professionals about our history, contemporary realities, and visions for the future. brycemcclendon.substack.com

07/25/2024

Kinda just [Queer] at Church All the Time, with Heather Jones

In this episode, Bryce speaks with mezzo-soprano and performance artist Heather Jones (they/them). The two discuss how Heather has embraced theater-making as a way to explore and deepen their identity, Heather’s recent experiences playing a transgender character in opera for the first time in Laura Kaminsky’s As One (Kentucky Opera, Holy City Lyric Opera, Opera Maine), and their work exploring notions of bodily autonomy and growing up queer and trans in the church. To learn more about Heather, visit their website: heatherjonesmezzo.com. Release Date: July 24, 2024 Recording Date: June 17, 2024 Name of Podcast: Beyond Travesti Episode Title & Number: Heather Jones, Season 2, Episode 1 Topic #1: Experimenting with identity through theater [4:00] Topic #2: As One and navigating transness in opera and classical music spaces [11:00] Topic #3: Being trans in church spaces and Expostulation(s) of Mary [19:30] Topic #4: The ideal Heather project, and One Body [26:50] Read Episode Transcript here. Opera Modo - TNBGD Directory Submission Follow Heather on Instagram @hbeejay Follow Bryce @the.bryce.is_wrong Follow Beyond Travesti @beyondtravesti Sign up for The Bryce is Wrong via Substack. Become a paid subscriber at any level to The Bryce is Wrong and get access to an extended cut of this conversation. Get in contact with Bryce with listener questions or feedback at brycemcclendon@substack.com Get full access to The Bryce is Right at brycemcclendon.substack.com/subscribe

35 min
05/11/2024

The Need to Honor All of Yourself, with Teiya Kasahara 笠原貞野

In this episode, Bryce speaks with opera singer and interdisciplinary theater creator, Teiya Kasahara 笠原貞野 (they/them). The two discuss Teiya’s work as an interdisciplinary theater creator, in particular their projects The Queen in Me and The Butterfly Project which transform and reframe two iconic characters from opera (The Queen of the Night from The Magic Flute by Mozart and Cio Cio San from Madama Butterfly by Puccini, respectively) through a personal lens. Teiya also speaks about their queer, trans reframing of Schumann’s Dichterliebe and their upcoming personal documentary project, Project T. Learn more about Teiya’s work at their website: Teiya’s website Release Date: May 11, 2024 Recording Date: April 12, 2024 Name of Podcast: Beyond Travesti Episode Title & Number: Teiya Kasahara 笠原貞野, Season 2, Episode 1 Topic #1: Reimagining repertoire for yourself, and The Queen in Me [8:30] Topic #2: Disruption in the opera space [13:05] Topic #3: Personal inquiry, Puccini, Japan, and The Butterfly Project [20:45] Topic #4: Teiya’s upcoming projects - Project T [28:05] Read Episode Transcript here. Opera Modo - TNBGD Directory Submission Teiya’s websiteTeiya’s Instagram - @teiyakashara Sign up for The Bryce is Wrong via Substack. Become a paid subscriber at any level to The Bryce is Wrong and get access to an extended cut of this conversation. Get in contact with Bryce with listener questions or feedback at brycemcclendon@substack.com Get full access to The Bryce is Right at brycemcclendon.substack.com/subscribe

32 min
01/01/2024

Queering the Baroque, with Elijah McCormack

In this episode, Bryce speaks with male soprano, Elijah McCormack. They discuss his experience as a transgender singer working in oratorio and concert spaces, Eli’s 2023 performance and tour with ChamberQueer, and his interest in the repertoire and legacy of the castrati. Release Date: January 1, 2024 Recording Date: December 19, 2023 Name of Podcast: Beyond Travesti Episode Title & Number: Elijah McCormack, Season 1, Episode 5 Topic #1: Elijah’s introduction to classical singing [4:30] Topic #2: Singing concert & oratorio while trans [7:30] Topic #3: ChamberQueer’s 2023 Tour & Workshop at Early Music America [14:30] Topic #4: The legacy of the castrati [20:00] Read Episode Transcript here. Opera Modo - TNBGD Directory Submission Elijah’s website Follow Elijah on Instagram ChamberQueer What the heck are the castrati? Sign up for The Bryce is Wrong via Substack. Become a paid subscriber at any level to The Bryce is Wrong and get access to an extended cut of this conversation. Get in contact with Bryce with listener questions or feedback at brycemcclendon@substack.com Get full access to The Bryce is Right at brycemcclendon.substack.com/subscribe

31 min
12/04/2023

Making Room for Magic, with Jay St. Flono

In this episode, Bryce speaks with multi-disciplinary performing artist and writer, Jay St. Flono. They discuss Jay’s experience of growing up and into their gifts in many different creative arts, Jay’s transition from tenor to soprano, and Jay’s upcoming performance of their solo vocal cantata, Praise Song for the Flying Africans, with Sugar Hill Salon in Harlem. Release Date: December 4, 2023 Recording Date: November 18, 2023 Name of Podcast: Beyond Travesti Episode Title & Number: Jay St. Flono, Season 1, Episode 4 Topic #1: Jay’s intro to classical singing and identity as a multi-disciplinary artist [3:30] Topic #2: Jay’s shift from tenor to soprano [7:00] Topic #3: Magic, Folklore, and Praise Song for the Flying Africans [23:50] Read Episode Transcript here. Buy Jay’s Book, Black American Magic: A Feast of Food and Folklore Sugar Hill Salon The Flying Africans of Igbo Landing Sign up for The Bryce is Wrong via Substack. Become a paid subscriber at any level to The Bryce is Wrong and get access to an extended cut of this conversation. Get in contact with Bryce with listener questions or feedback at brycemcclendon@substack.com Get full access to The Bryce is Right at brycemcclendon.substack.com/subscribe

35 min
11/01/2023

Trans Leadership in the Arts, with Dorian Block

In this episode, Bryce speaks with Creative Arts Leader and Strategic Marketer, Dorian Block. They discuss Dorian’s experience as a young opera lover at the Santa Fe Opera, traveling on the job as a transgender person, and their investment in Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, Access, and Belonging work. Release Date: November 1, 2023 Recording Date: October 6, 2023 Name of Podcast: Beyond Travesti Episode Title & Number: Dorian Block, Season 1, Episode 3 Updates: [2:25] Topic #1: Dorian’s Intro to Opera [6:25] Topic #2: Traveling for work as a transgender person [13:10] Topic #3: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access and Belonging [22:51] Topic #4: Community Engagement [28:13] Read Episode Transcript here. Dorian Block's website Santa Fe Opera Documentary, The Pueblo Opera Project Opera MODO Sign up for The Bryce is Wrong via Substack. Become a paid subscriber at any level to The Bryce is Wrong and get access to an extended cut of this conversation. Get in contact with Bryce with listener questions or feedback at brycemcclendon@substack.com Get full access to The Bryce is Right at brycemcclendon.substack.com/subscribe

33 min
10/01/2023

Community Theater Martyrdom, with Jude O'Dell

In this episode, Bryce speaks with librettist, dramaturg, tenor, and Jupiter Opera Development Foundation General Director, Jude O’Dell (he/they). They discuss Jude’s investment in community theater, the pre-season and future plans of JODF, and Jude’s extensive industry experience working in wardrobe, hair, and makeup. Also in this episode, you’ll hear an excerpt from Dream Home, an original strophic aria produced by JDOF with text by Mirror Schwartz-Meadows and music by Elle Meerovich, performed by Jude himself. Release Date: October 1, 2023 Recording Date: September 3, 2023 Name of Podcast: Beyond Travesti Episode Title & Number: Jude O’Dell: Season 1, Episode 2 Talking Points News: ACLU of TX complaint against Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts [1:40] Topic #1: Jude’s intro to opera [4:50] Topic #2: The genesis of Jupiter Opera Development Foundation [8:45] Topic #3: Pink-collar jobs [18:00] Topic #4: Donald Tr*mp’s toupee tape [25:10] Read the episode transcript here. Relevant Links Jupiter Opera Development Foundation website Dream Home, new aria/song commissioned by JODF ACLU of Texas Files Federal Complaints Against DFW-Area Schools for Anti-LGBTQIA+ Policies ACLU Calls for Federal Probe of Anti-LGBTQ+ Actions in Texas Schools ACLU Complaint Full Text Sign up for The Bryce is Wrong via Substack. Become a paid subscriber at any level to The Bryce is Wrong and get access to an extended cut of this conversation when it’s ready. Get in contact with Bryce with listener questions or feedback at brycemcclendon@substack.com Get full access to The Bryce is Right at brycemcclendon.substack.com/subscribe

29 min
09/01/2023

The Revolution We Need, with Katherine Goforth

In this episode, Bryce speaks with classical singer and performing / creative artist, Katherine Goforth (she/her). They discuss the opera industry landscape for transfeminine singers whose voices have changed, decentering practices of domination in the rehearsal room and the voice studio, and the Barbie movie which Katherine finds "excruciating." Release Date: September 1, 2023 Recording Date: August 14, 2023 Name of Podcast: Beyond Travesti Episode Title & Number: Katherine Goforth: Season 1, Episode 1 Talking Points Topic #1: Katherine's intro to opera [6:25] Topic #2: True Voice Award and wanting to self-actualize and self-determine [9:18] Topic #3: Revolutionary Thinking and F*****s and their Friends... [16:40] Topic #4: Katherine's goals for her singing and creative work [20:40] Read the episode transcript here. Relevant Links Katherine Goforth's Website Goforth Awarded the First "True Voice Award" F*****s and their Friends... in the New York Times Nu Nah-Hup: Sacajawea's Story at Opera Theater Oregon Katherine Goforth and Wenwen Du, Nacht und Träume by Franz Schubert Sign up for The Bryce is Wrong via Substack. Become a paid subscriber at any level to The Bryce is Wrong and get access to an extended cut of this conversation when it’s ready. Get in contact with Bryce with listener questions or feedback at brycemcclendon@substack.com Get full access to The Bryce is Right at brycemcclendon.substack.com/subscribe

31 min
07/31/2023

Beyond Travesti: Season One Trailer

Read the full episode transcript here. Get full access to The Bryce is Right at brycemcclendon.substack.com/subscribe

3 min

8 Episodes

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Travesti: (from Italian, 'travestire,' meaning to dress up, or to disguise) An operatic tradition where a performer of one gender portrays a character of another. Beyond Travesti is a new series of interviews with transgender and gender-expansive opera and music-theatre professionals about our history, contemporary realities, and visions for the future. brycemcclendon.substack.com

Creator

hosted by Bryce McClendon
Years Active

2023 - 2024
Episodes

8
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Bryce McClendon
Show Website

Beyond Travesti