Straight Icons (co-written with Anne-Marie Pietersma)
Anne-Marie and SMJ are best friends who came out in their late 20s. Now with partners and a tiny bit of clarity, they try to chart their queer journeys through the straight people they loved growing up. However, they are quickly trapped in a TV by an unknown entity known as “The Spiral” who forces them to confront the uncomfortable intersection of queer liberation, exploitation, and performative queerness. A play with comedy, mime, dance, music, and drag, Straight Icons features visits from animated children’s show superstars, international pop stars, and late 2000s MTV dating show contestants.
DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY
Anne-Marie Pietersma & SMJ were resident artists with Ars Nova in the 2023-24 CAMP cohort. Straight Icons were developed over nine months under the leadership of Matt Gehring and Mahayla Laurence.
The first 10 minutes of Straight Icons was presented at the CAMP Showgasm. at Ars Nova on December 14, 2023. Matt Gehring and Mahayla Laurence hosted the performance. You can watch the video of that performance here.
Straight Icons was in residence with the rest of the 2023-2024 CAMP cohort with New Roots at Walhalla Farms from January 12-16, 2024.
The Premiere of Straight Icons was presented on June 5, 2024, at Ars Nova. The premiere was sold out. Mackenna Goodrich directed the premiere. Gracie Guichard played The Spiral.
Straight Icons was an official selection for the 2024 Evolution Festival at The Center at West Park in NYC. The play was performed on September 13, 2024. Mackenna Goodrich directed the performance. The show featured Hope Johansen as The Spiral.
Straight Icons was performed at Caveat in NYC on October 14, 2024. Mackenna Goodrich directed the performance. The performance featured Stephanie Orta-Vázquez as The Spiral. Linni Ratliff designed the lights and ran all technical elements for the performance.
Straight Icons was an official selection for the 20th Annual New York Comedy Festival! The play was performed at The Second City in Brooklyn on November 9, 2024. Mackenna Goodrich directed the performance. This performance featured Grace Guichard as The Spiral. Kurt Cruz ran all technical elements for the performance.
Performance at The Center at West Park, September 2024
Premiere at Ars Nova, June 2024
Showgasm. at Ars Nova, December 2023
Promo Photos for Ars Nova, March 2024
