Nic Cory, Breaking the Binary Theatre, Sara Ramirez,
Ianne Fields Stewart, Rattlestick Theater, and Killer Films
present
Cecilia Gentili’s
RED INk
July 30 - August 18, 2024
at Rattlestick Theater (224 Waverly Place)
Directed by Nic Cory
featuring
Jes Tom (they/he) (Tuesday, July 30 - Sunday, Aug. 4)
Angelica Ross (she/her) (Tuesday, Aug. 6 - Sunday, Aug. 11)
Peppermint (she/her) (Tuesday, Aug. 13 - Sunday, Aug. 18)
100% of profits made on this run of RED INK were donated to causes close to Gentili’s heart.
Over $35,000 was donated to G.L.I.T.S., Destination Tomorrow, and Trans Power in Diversity.
While Cecilia Gentili was an atheist, God won't give up on her. Unfortunately, neither will the Devil. In RED INK, the Pose star navigated the hilarity of growing up in rural Argentina during the 19(redacted)s. Part stand-up, part camp and (almost) all true, RED INK is a night of unforgettable stories about searching for faith while trans.
Cecilia Gentili passed away on the morning of February 6, 2024, to continue watching over us in spirit.
We continue to keep this work alive in honor of her.
The all-trans and queer creative team for RED INK includes an original score by two-time Grammy Award winner Andrew Yee (she/her), lighting design by Adam Honoré (he/him), projection design by Sasha Velour (she/they), and costume design by Gogo Graham (she).
Flower Rios (she) serves as the Associate Producer and Joseph Frederick Allen (he/him) serves as the Associate Director/Producer. Oscar Diaz (they/them) is the Creative Director (Original Production).
The performance schedule for RED INK is as follows: Tuesdays – Sundays at 7PM.
Masks will be required at all Wednesday performances.
ASL interpretation will be provided at every Thursday performance.
Following every performance on Wednesday and Friday, there will be a facilitated talkback.
Every Saturday, audiences are encouraged to stay after the show for a post-show performance led by a trans artist.
For further details on these post-show events, please see below.
RED INK Post-Show Talkbacks and Performances
Wednesday, July 31st - Talkback
The Legacies: An Intimate Dialogue with Ceyenne Doroshow
Panelists: Ceyenne Doroshow (lady/she/her)
In the wake of Cecilia's passing, the enormous community of people who knew and love her have had to find ways to carry on this magnificent woman's legacy. For our first post-show panel, Flower Rios will be sitting down for an intimate dialogue with the incomparable Ceyenne Doroshow to discuss Cecilia's legacy and how Ceyenne and her equally extensive community work are making space for healing, recovery, and a 1 million dollar fundraising campaign.
"Please, always terrorize cisgender people..." – Cecilia Gentili, Red Ink
Friday, August 2nd - Talkback
The Guides
Panelists: Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi (she/her), Nala Simone Toussaint (she/her), and Reverend Yunus Coldman (he/him/his/king)
The funeral of Saint Cecilia at St. Patrick's Cathedral occurred with about as much quiet and solemn reverence as the woman herself lived. In the months after it, the outpouring of love for the Mother of All Whores has been rivaled only by the condemnations of religious leaders, institutions, and news publications expressing displeasure with "such a scandalous display". Ianne Fields Stewart sits down with Nala Simone Toussaint, Reverend Yunus Coldman, and Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi to discuss the long documented history of conflict between faith communities and queer and trans people. Can we heal the wounds of our past and present? And to what end? What role can faith and spiritual work play in the liberated futures of queer and trans people?
"I don't share my flowers with anyone – not even God..." – Cecilia Gentili, Red Ink
Saturday, August 3rd - Performance
The Bois
Performers: Carmen LoBue (they/them), Devin-Norelle (ze/zim/zis), and Samy Figaredo (he/they)
For a long time, questions and concerns over transmasculine folks in film and tv have left many wondering: when it comes to trans representation, where are the bois? Tonight, for our first post-show performance, they're here! Samy Figaredo and Devin-Norelle take the stage for a storytelling event exploring their experiences as transmasculine folks. How can makeup make you feel more masculine? Why do some transmasculine people gatekeep what it is to be a man or masculine for other transmasculine people? And why can't a boi femme out a little bit sometimes? Join us and The Bois to find out.
"I love my transmasculine family..." – Cecilia Gentili, Red Ink
Wednesday, August 7th - Talkback
The Icons
Panelists: L Morgan Lee (she/her), Mila Jam (she/her, and Raquel Willis (she/her)
In Red Ink, Cecilie wrote "I will always choose to live a short life that is fully authentic than a long one that is a lie." Ianne Fields Stewart interviews a panel of people whose lives fully embody this quote. From the stage to the page and beyond, L Morgan Lee, Raquel Willis, and a surprise guest will discuss the journeys that have led them to earn Tony nominations, publish memoirs, make beautiful music, and most important of all, be themselves.
"I will always choose to live a short life that is fully authentic than a long one that is a lie." – Cecilia Gentili, Red Ink
Friday, August 9th - Talkback
The Organizers
Panelists: James Rose (they/she), Noor Aldayeh (they/she), and Solaris J Capehart (they/them)
Is it possible that unprecedented times have become the precedent? As the political heats up by the second and democracy itself seems to be at stake, Flower Rios sits down with J Van Capehart, James Rose, and a Palestinian organizer to explore how to turn individualism into collectivism. How do we identify and counteract gentrification in our own neighborhoods, particularly if we are part of the problem? Can an ever-growing percentage of the US electorate who feel disillusioned by the current political landscape find a comfortable home in electoral politics? And how does the fight for liberation continue for Gaza?
"Peter, let's get the f*ck outta here!" – Cecilia Gentili, Red Ink
Saturday, August 10th - Performance
The Voice
Performer: Arewà Basit
Join us for a musical post-show performance highlighting a voice of resistance!
"There's a fucking jail cell in the middle of JFK..." – Cecilia Gentili, Red Ink
Wednesday, August 14th - Talkback
The Curators
Panelists: Giselle Kristina Byrd (she/her), Jordyn Jay (she/her), & Kylexus White (she/her)
Among her many accolades and accomplishments, founder was one of Cecilia's most significant titles. Her work and the organizations she created and/or helped shape continue to flourish in her absence. Ianne Fields Stewart will be sitting down with Jordyn Jay (BTFA), Kylexus White (BGP), and Giselle Kristina Byrd (TTO) to find out what it's like to be a founder and/or leader of an organization that serves our community and our multifaceted needs. What is it like to be "the first"? What does it take to be a leader within our community? And what does it take to step into a position of leadership in the wake of unexpected loss?
"I ran to her like you only run when you see someone like you for the first time in your life..." – Cecilia Gentili, Red Ink
Friday, August 16th - Talkback
The Workers
Panelists: Elizabeth Maria Rivera (she/her), Linda La (she/they), Victoria Von Blaque (they/she)
It's the oldest profession, and people are still actin' brand new. From the emergence of OnlyFans to cam work to survival sex work, sex work is work, and Cecilia made sure we all knew it. Ianne FIelds Stewart sits down with Victoria, Linda, and a surprise guest to discuss what is needed to create a hopeful and beautiful future for the workers in the pleasure industry.
"You're gonna be a whore. You're gonna get high. You're gonna die young." – Cecilia Gentili, Red Ink
Saturday, August 17th - Talkback
The Queen
Performer: Chiquitita (she/her)
For our final post-show performance, it feels only appropriate to be blessed with the immense talents of Chiquitita. To know Cecilia was to know her deep desire to see Chiquitita fall on the stage in the most dramatic and spectacular fashion possible. Join us to see if Cecilia will finally get her wish.
"I am always asking God for Chiquitita to fall on the stage..." – Cecilia Gentili, Red Ink
Cecilia Gentili
Creator
Cecilia Gentili was an activist, author and actress. Originally from Argentina and seeking a safer life as a transgender woman, she moved to the United States in 2000, where she lived undocumented for 10 years and made her living through sex work. Starting as an intern at The Center, she was brought into Apicha Community Health Center to develop transgender health services, expanding the program from 27 patients in 2012 to over 500 in 2016. From 2016 to 2019, she served as the Managing Director of Policy at GMHC, where she was instrumental in the passing of GENDA. Her successes in policy inspired her to found Decrim NY, a coalition working towards the decriminalization of sex work; COIN, which provides free health and gender-affirming care to sex workers; and Trans Equity Consulting, which continues to establish genuine equity in workplaces around the world. Her autobiographical book Faltas: Letters to Everyone in My Hometown Who Isn’t My Rapist won the ALA Stonewall Book Award. As an actress, she appeared on Pose as Miss Orlando and in her first solo show, The Knife Cuts Both Ways.
Jes Tom (they/he)
Performer (7/30 - 8/4)
Jes Tom is an actor, writer, and stand-up comic, gleefully providing the trans, queer, Asian American, radical cyborg perspective that everyone never knew they wanted. They were most recently a Story Editor for season two of the Taika Waititi series OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH for HBO Max. In addition, their new solo comedy show LESS LONELY premiered off Broadway in December 2023, with Elliot Page presenting. They also opened for Hannah Gadsby in her multi-comic special, HANNAH GADSBY PRESENT: A GENDER AGENDA, available on Netflix. They can be seen in HBO Max’s LOVE LIFE and on their own digital series DEAR JES, for Netflix’s The Most. Their writing has been published by Reductress, Shondaland, and Condé Nast’s Them, and they wrote for the Audible/Broadway Video series HOT WHITE HEIST, produced by Alan Cumming. Jes has been featured in The New York Times, Vice, Ozy, Forbes, and NowThis.
Angelica Ross (she/her)
Performer (8/6 - 8/11)
Actress, Singer Songwriter, Founder of TransTech & Human Rights Advocate. From the boardroom to Broadway, Hollywood to Capitol Hill, Angelica Ross is a leading figure of success and strength in the movement for human rights advocacy focused on Transgender and racial equality. A fan favorite on FX’s award-winning hit POSE plus both the ninth and tenth seasons of Ryan Murphy’s FX hit American Horror Story. June 3, 2022 Angelica released her debut music video and single, ONLY YOU. Miss Ross recently announced her forthcoming untitled book and original podcast as she continues to blaze new trails, kick open doors, and build her own table with ample open seats.
Peppermint (she/her)
Performer (8/13 - 8/18)
Peppermint rose to fame as the first out trans contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9, finishing as runner-up. She then made history as the first trans woman to originate a principal role on Broadway in Head Over Heels. Her recent projects include roles in Netflix's Survival of the Thickest, Hulu's Fire Island, and various TV series. She has hosted and presented at the GLAAD Media Awards and co-hosts the Black Queer Town Hall podcast. Peppermint is also an activist, serving as the ACLU's first Artist Ambassador for Trans Justice and raising funds for LGBTQ+ organizations. She has been recognized for her work with award nominations and honors, including a GLAAD Media Award nomination, a "Queeroes" award, and a spot on Out magazine's "OUT100" list.
Nic Cory
Director + Producer
Nic Cory produced Triple Threat off-Broadway last year and served as Associate Producer on Billy Porter’s directorial debut for MGM. At the beginning of the pandemic, he directed Michael Urie in a livestream benefit of Buyer & Cellar, which raised over $300,000 for BC/EFA’s Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund. Other credits include The Lightning Thief, Pageant, The Purists, The Life, And Just Like That and La Fanta Giardiniera at his alma mater, CMU. His first film, The Singing Telegram, debuted at Cinefest in 2023. He is VP of Creative Development at Traverse32.
Sara Ramirez (they/them)
Producer
Tony Award© winner Sara Ramírez made history playing the longest-running Latine LGBTQ+ character on TV, ‘Dr. Callie Torres’ on ABC’s hit Grey’s Anatomy. Other TV credits include: Law & Order: SVU, Madam Secretary, And Just Like That, and animated series Sofia the First. Sara graduated from Juilliard's Drama School and made their Broadway debut starring in Paul Simon’s The Capeman. Following that, they starred on Broadway in Fascinating Rhythm, A Class Act, and Off Broadway in The Vagina Monologues. For their performance as the original Lady of the Lake in the Broadway smash-hit Monty Python’s Spamalot, they earned both a Tony Award© and Outer Critics Award.
Ianne Fields Stewart (they/she)
Producer
Ianne Fields Stewart is a multi-hyphenate creative working at the intersection of art, activism, and pleasure. Their work spans across many fields including: theatre, film, dance, creative writing, arts administration, and social justice. She is dedicated to creating art, facilitating spaces, and influencing organizational practices that allow Black queer and trans people to radically luxuriate in our own joy. To put it simply, she wants to make their people feel good. The 2022 toast honoree of The League of Professional Theatre Women, NY Audiences have most recently seen Ianne performing at Lincoln Center with Sydnie L. Moseley Dances and as a company member with MOD Arts Dance Collective for the 23'-24' season. Concurrently, Ianne made their regional writing debut as the book writer for A Complicated Woman at Goodspeed Musicals in Spring 24'.
Rattlestick Theater
Producer
Founded in 1994, Rattlestick Theater has been steadfast in producing diverse, provocative, and expansive new work to foster the future voices of the American theater. From its historic West Village theater, Rattlestick has produced the first plays and early works of some of today’s leading voices, including Martyna Majok (Ironbound), Diana Oh (mylingerieplay), and Heidi Schreck (There Are No More Big Secrets). Rattlestick is where some of our nation’s most celebrated playwrights are encouraged to test their boldest ideas, including Dael Orlandersmith (Until the Flood), José Rivera (Massacre, Sing to Your Children), and Samuel D. Hunter (Lewiston/Clarkston, nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play and the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play). www.rattlestick.org
Killer Films
Producer
Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler co-founded powerhouse Killer Films in 1995. Over three decades, they have produced more than 100 films, including some of the most celebrated and important American independent features: KIDS, I SHOT ANDY WARHOL, HAPPINESS, BOYS DON’T CRY, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, FAR FROM HEAVEN, ONE HOUR PHOTO, STILL ALICE, CAROL, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, and DARK WATERS. In television, they executive-produced the Emmy and Golden Globe-awarded miniseries MILDRED PIERCE for HBO as well as the Emmy Award-winning limited series HALSTON for Netflix. Recent releases include Todd Haynes' MAY DECEMBER (Netflix), starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, and Celine Song's PAST LIVES (A24), which marks their first Oscar nomination in the Best Picture category.