// TRUTH
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2024
7:00PM at Littlefield
co-conceived by Noax (they/them) and George Strus (they/them)
featuring Alaïa, Amanda Tori Meating (she/her), Anania Williams (they/she), Ari Notartomaso (they/he), César Alvarez (they/them), Garrett Allen (Garrett/they/them), Justin David Sullivan (he/she/they), Jade Jones aka Litty Official (they/them), JMV (they/them/thou), Nico Carney (he/him), Nora Schell (they/them), & ONE (Esco Jouléy)
Following last year’s presentation of PARADISE, Noax and BTB Founding Artistic Director George Strus are joining forces again to create TRUTH //: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY REVUE at Littlefield. This special opening performance will showcase the talents of twelve stellar TNB2S+ artists and acts of various disciplines: vocalists, drag artists, comedians, and more showcasing original performance pieces inspired by the prompt "truth // dare."
Noax (they/them)
Noax (they/them) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Manhattan. They have worked professionally in the entertainment industry for several years as an actor, singer, writer, and advocate in NYC. They seek to foster community amongst the various ecosystems they inhabit and discover transformative ways in which we can educate artists that are rooted in equity, self-empowerment, and community building. Organizations to consider donating to: Breaking the Binary, Black Trans Liberation, For the Gworls, Black Trans Femmes in the Arts, and The Marsha P. Johnson Institute. www.noax.me
George Strus (they/them)
George Strus (they/them) is a Tony Award-nominated and Obie Award-winning trans non-binary Latiné producer and dramaturg. They founded Breaking the Binary Theatre: an Obie Award-winning new work development and community building hub for transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ (TNB2s+) theatermakers. Since the organization’s launch in July of 2022, Breaking the Binary Theatre has paid out over $500,000 to over 400 TNB2S+ artists. Commercially, they were a proud co-producer of HERE WE ARE and ILLINOISE (2024 Tony Nomination). Current co-producing credits include OH, MARY!, THE ROOMMATE, ROMEO + JULIET. Upcoming co-producing credits ALL IN, and THE LAST FIVE YEARS. They were awarded the 2024 Prince Fellowship (in association with Columbia University School of the Arts), receiving mentorship from Kristin Caskey, Sue Frost, Jeffrey Seller, Thomas Schumacher, and David Stone. www.georgestrus.com
Alaïa
Performer
Born and raised on the far-eastern coast of Russia, Alaïa’s burning enthusiasm for performance has led her around the globe. After studying the roots of physical theater, jazz, and contemporary dance at a French conservatory, she relocated to New York City and attained a degree at Tisch School of the Arts in 2022. Since then, Alaïa has toured with pop sensation Lady Gaga and burlesque royalty Dita Von Teese, shown solo multidisciplinary work around New York City nightclubs, as well as directed and starred in numerous short films and television features. She is currently performing in CABARET at the Kit Kat Club that opened on Broadway in April 2024.
Amanda Tori Meating
Performer
Amanda Tori Meating is one of the breakout stars of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 16. She is known for iconic looks, high energy dance performances, and spicy onscreen moments. Since her season, Amanda has been touring the US and internationally, has released her first EP Personality Hire, and is growing the perkiest new pair of tiddies in NYC. She is thrilled to be weaponizing her BFA in this amazing showcase of queer talent!
Anania Williams (they/she)
Performer
Anania Williams (they/she) is an actor, singer, creator, and drag artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Credits include: Lucky Stiff (Domonique— NYC), Kinky Boots (Lola— Chicago, IL), Into the Woods (Narrator- Boston, MA), Hunchback of Notre Dame (Fredric- Mars Hill, NC), and Don’t
Look Up (Netflix Productions- Boston, MA). They’d like to thank their chosen family for being an amazing support system.
Ari Notartomaso (they/he)
Performer
Ari Notartomaso (they/he) is an actor, singer/songwriter, and unabashed fool. They recently made their NY theatre debut with NYCC’s Encores! acclaimed production of TITANIC. Television: “Cynthia” in GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES. Film: MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: NEXT OF KIN. Theatre: Williamstown Theatre Festival Cabaret, INVINCIBLE (World Premiere). @arinotartomaso on all socials!
César Alvarez (they/them)
Performer
César Alvarez (they/them) is a composer, lyricist, playwright, and performance maker. They create big experimental gatherings disguised as musicals, in the key of inter-dimensionality, socio-political transformation, kinship and coexistence. With a background as a jazz saxophonist, bandleader and sound artist, César's work inhabits a space between the worlds of theater, music, performance art and social practice. César was a 2018-20 Princeton Arts Fellow, a recipient of The Jonathan Larson Award in 2016, The Kleban Prize and a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2022. César teaches at Dartmouth College.
Garrett Allen (Garrett/they/them)
Performer
Garrett Allen (Garrett/they/them) is an artist and director. Garrett’s current practice and work centers live mediums and performance based experiences alongside explorations of liveness, embodiment, and perception in non-live forms. They engage materials and processes excavating op/re-pressions within humanity, identity, perception, and existence toward individual and collective reflection, transformation, and liberation. Garrett has shown, directed, or developed work at the School of Drama at Yale, New York Stage and Film, Ars Nova, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Laguardia Performing Arts Center, Knockdown Center, School of Visual Arts NYC, Prelude Festival, Spectrum NYC, and Jupiter Disco among others. MFA: Yale. www.garrett-allen.com
Jade Jones aka Litty Official (They/Them)
Performer
Jade Jones (They/Them), most recently seen as Madame Thenardier in Les Misérables at The MUNY in St. Louis, is known for their portrayal of “Belle” in Olney Theatre’s internationally-acclaimed production of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast. Jade made their New York debut in 2023 as Mary in the off-Broadway revival of Vanities. They were spotlit on ABC 20/20’s 25th anniversary Cinderella reunion special alongside Billy Porter and Todrick Hall, and has been featured in Playbill, MSNBC, and People magazine.
Their music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and Soundcloud, under the moniker ‘Litty Official’. @LittyOfficial
JMV (they/them/thou)
Performer
JMV (they/them) is a multiple Glam Award winner for both Go-Go and Burlesque, a popular choreographer for every major RuPaul’s Drag Race, soloist for Night of 1000 Stevies, HIV & LGBTQ+ activist, event producer—notably Miss Hell’s Kitchen, Broadway Bares veteran, and disco diva around town. They are a non-binary drag performer known for their glamorous, yet edgy style & eccentric personality. The drag child of Sherry Vine is known for some crude humor now & again, no surprise there. With a zesty personality, JMV is always bound to kick it up a notch in any show. You can follow JMV’s journey on Instagram @theonlyjmv.
Justin David Sullivan (he/she/they)
Performer
Justin David Sullivan (he/she/they) is a non-binary singer, actor, and artist in New York City. Originally from Southern California, Justin was born with a passion to create and the determination to color the world with every crayon in the box. Currently, Justin is starring as May in the pop-hit Broadway musical & Juliet at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Justin’s heart for theatre stems from their love for storytelling. They are passionate about diversity and representation in the performing arts and hopes to be seen as an advocate of inclusivity. Their greatest hope is for their art to continue to represent marginalized communities and shed light to the culture and experiences that they carry as an openly queer person of Mexican and Korean descent. Justin is committed to using her platform to uplift and inspire other trans, non-binary, and gender expansive people and give a voice to the voiceless.
Nico Carney (he/him)
Performer
Nico Carney is a Brooklyn based standup comedian, actor and writer. His standup covers his experiences as a trans man, growing up in Savannah, Georgia, and whatever else he finds silly and interesting. Nico co-hosts a monthly show at Club Cumming called BOYS CLUB, which was a 2022 NYCF headlining show and is now a popular podcast of the same name. Nico performs at clubs and theaters all over NYC and the country, and was part of the NETFLIX INTRODUCING… showcase at the 2022 Netflix Is A Joke Festival. Nico has also been featured on Comedy Central’s The Gag, and is developing the half hour comedy BOYS CLUB with Scott King and Imagine Entertainment. Nico was recently a 2023 JUST FOR LAUGHS NEW FACE in the standup category and made his television debut on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS. Nico returned to Netflix Is A Joke this year to exclusively premiere his new hour WELCOME TO THE NICOVERSE and headlined Moontower Comedy Festival in Austin this April. On the acting side, Nico recently wrapped his first feature gig as the lead of Siobhan McCarthy’s indie trans buddy comedy SHE’S THE HE, and was named to the 2024 Vulture Comics To Watch list.
Nora Schell (they/them)
Performer
Nora Schell (they/them) is a Drama Desk, Drama League and Clive Barnes award nominated actor. They are known for their recent turn as Bustopher Jones in CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL, JAGGED LITTLE PILL & SPAMILTON.
ONE (Esco Jouléy)
Performer
ONE (Esco Jouléy). AnyOne, EveryOne, No One. @onezlife.
2024 FESTIVAL STAFF
Co-Sound Designer: Bailey Trierweiler (he/him)
Literary Manager: Bryar Barborka (they/them)
Casting Director: Charlie Hano, CSA (he/him)
Co-Sound Designer: Christopher Darbassie
Associate Producer: Esmé Maria Ng (they/she/he)
Assistant Producer: Flower Estefana Rios
Founding Artistic Director: George Strus (they/them)
Graphic Designer: Marc Ella Roy (they/them)