To the Trans Community in Theatre and Beyond

by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

I want to take a moment to acknowledge you, celebrate you, and stand beside you. In a world that often fails to recognize the brilliance, resilience, and artistry of trans individuals, I want you to know that you are seen, you are valued, and you are vital—not just to the theatre industry, but to the world.

Theatre has always been a space of transformation, storytelling, and truth. It is a place where we step into the light and bring our deepest, most authentic selves forward. And yet, too often, trans artists have been denied that stage, that platform, that opportunity to exist fully and unapologetically. That is not only unjust, it is a loss for all of us.

Because you belong here. You always have.

Your voices, your stories, your perspectives enrich the tapestry of theatre in ways no one else can. You embody the very essence of what this industry claims to stand for—courage, reinvention, and the power to create something new from the depths of your soul. You are playwrights, designers, directors, actors, composers, technicians, leaders—pioneers shaping the future of the stage and beyond. Your artistry is revolutionary, and your existence is a force of change.

I know the barriers you face are real. From misrepresentation to outright exclusion, from systemic bias to personal struggles with safety and acceptance—these are battles no one should have to fight just to do what they love. And yet, you persist. You carve out space in an industry that has not always welcomed you. You demand better, and because of that, change is happening.

To those who are still searching for their place, who feel isolated, who wonder if they will ever be fully embraced in the theatre world or beyond—I promise you, there are many who are fighting alongside you. We will not be silent. We will uplift your voices, challenge institutions that refuse to see your worth, and celebrate you at every opportunity.

Theatre is better because you are here. The world is better because you are here.

Keep creating. Keep pushing. Keep being you.