THE NEXT GENERATION OF QUEER / TRANS CREATORS
Producer Mentorship Program
As a trans-led organization, GFP believes trans liberation is bound up in the liberation of all other marginalized groups.
Very few theatrical training spaces teach people the business of theatre, and having the tools to produce one’s own work is an important step to empowering the trans artistic community. Our aim with this program would be to hire trans and nonbinary BIPOC artists who want to develop their skills in production and pair them with one of our later career trans producers for a 6 month producing project. During this time they would be mentored in production while getting the hands-on experience of producing an artistic event.
Cameron Applewhite (they, he)
T4T Open Mics
aka gentle; is a multi-faceted, jack of all trades that's passionate about literacy, philanthropy, and accessibility. Who is gentle?
"I’m a living contradiction. That carries and says alot about me, without saying much at all, so let me explain. I’m a young person with an old soul; blessed with wisdom but inexperienced; considerate and decisive; thoughtful but impulsive. I take my weaknesses and use them to make me stronger. I’m a contradiction, and I use it to my advantage.
My goal in life is to reach people; to express myself in a way that many people can understand me. Though poetry, photography, music, coding and much more. It’s art that drives me, keeps me sane and hopeful. Being a producer helps me utilize my variety of skills no matter what."
Cameron has over 5 years of experience in Event Planning, outreach and community events. They we're the first chair Bassist in their highschool Orchestra, have traveled around and out the country performing in Thailand. During their university studies they pursued 2 BAs in Film/Television and Computer Networks. You'll see them occasionally at open mics, the library, or a ramen spot somewhere in our beautiful city.
Leah Lara (they, them)
PUPPETQUEERS
Leah Lara is black nonbinary puppeteer and 3-D illustrator originally Dallas Tx. A proud Puppet Council member, they received their BFA from Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) where they majored in Illustration. Their work often investigates the black femme experience while drawing on dark and whimsical fairy tale archetypes and themes. Utilizing fairytales as a way to reexamine social structures, behaviors, social hierarchies, and biases. Most importantly they strive for their work to be a catalyst for community, and connection.They love working with their hands, and stick to the commitment of writing, designing, and performing one original puppet show a year. Since relocating to and returning to their childhood home Chicago; they have participated in The Samon Sister Show at Color Club, WonderWagon, and of course, Puppet Queers. They also recently presented development of their newest show, Fish Sermon under The Chicago Puppet Lab. They are currently continuing that show’s development as a Dark Matter Resident at Elastic Arts.
Harlow Bunten (they, he)
It’s Alive!! New Works Series
Harlow Bunten (they/he) is a producer, playwright, and comedian who recently relocated to Chicago from central Missouri. They have been writing, performing, and trying to make people laugh for the past five years. In the past year, they have produced and performed in shows with various venues across the city including the iO theater, The Bughouse, The Annoyance Theatre and Bar, and more. They have written comedic and dramatic pieces for multiple play festivals and sketch shows and are releasing an original work in collaboration with Eclectic Full Contact Theater this coming September as part of their “Half Hour Audio Hour” play series. Harlow is thrilled to be a part of the Genderfucked production team and looks forward to assisting with the development of new works and community of local LGBT+ writers and entertainers.
John-Payne (they, them)
Trans Voices Cabaret
John-Payne is a Chicago theatre-artist/performer/director, and is beyond gratuitous to be working with Gender Fucked again! It is not often TGNC theatre-artists find spaces dedicated to them by them, so for John-Payne, the Producer Mentorship Program is such an exciting opportunity. You can find them working as an Event Coordinator for The Understudy Coffee & Books, or working on a project they have put their whole heart into. They are dedicated to making lasting change for queer/BIPOC theatre folk, and challenging the structures which prohibit that change. They know and understand their responsibility in being a conscious and active member of their community through the art they create. It’s the love and support from their family, chosen and not, that gets them through the day and inspires them to continue that creation.
Aicha Chehmani (they, he)
Queer Dance Freakout
Aicha (they/he) is a dancer, choreographer, and producer originally from Southeast Michigan. They are a recent Knox College grad and have been dancing for 11 years in a variety of styles. During their time at Knox they served Terpsichore Dance Collective for 2 years as a co-production manager and 1 year as president where they oversaw the production of 9 dance concerts. They have choreographed work for Terpsichore Dance Collective, KC Dance Squad, and Knox’s Choreographers Workshop course. They also attended the American College Dance Association Conference twice, and participated in three dance residencies including a performance with Aerial Dance Chicago in 2023. Now a new resident of Chicago, they continue to move and create not only for themselves, but for the communities that raised them to be a proud queer artist of color.