Breaking the Binary Theatre is a new work development and community building hub wherein transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ (TNB2S+) artists come together to reclaim our artistic license and liberty.

In Loving Memory of Aziza “Z” Barnes

“As we curated the inaugural Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival in 2022, a writer that was top of mind from the jump was Aziza Barnes. I had been a fan of their poetry and adored their play BLKS at MCC a few years prior and was eager to see what they’d create next. I got in touch with them through their agent to see if they had any stage work they were interested in developing and they sent me their multi-generational epic play NANA, based on their own paternal lineage and their self-mythologies. I was so taken by the play and Aziza’s captivating and skillful writing and asked if they wanted to be a part of BTB - like every artist who participated in our inaugural Festival, they believed in what we were building and took a leap of faith, agreeing to take part and build it with us. I think of NANA often, not only for its impeccable writing, but also the process (led by Aziza and director Rad Pereira), which helped deeply shape Breaking the Binary Theatre’s values system from inception. I am gutted by the loss of Aziza and the loss of the stories and words they still had to share with the world, but find solace in their work living on to forever preserve Aziza’s legacy and genius.”

- George Strus, Breaking the Binary Theatre’s Founding Artistic Director

In celebration of International Transgender Day of Visibility, check out our Cloud Nine Zine (for free), amplifying the work of over 35 TNB2S+ artists (including over 20 original BTB commissions)!