They/Them

Em/Adam is an actor, vocalist-musician, arts administrator, and visual artist based in Minneapolis, MN. Recent theatre credits include the Guthrie Theater, Artistry MN, Trademark Theater, The Gray Mallard Theater Co., Theatre Pro Rata (Company Member), Minneapolis Musical Theater, BARd Shakes, and The Birth Play Project. TRAINING: Gaiety School of Acting, University of Minnesota (B.A. Theatre Arts and B.S. Business Marketing/Administration). UPCOMING: Ostentatious Outlaws of Neehai Valley (Trademark Theater), Nellie King in Whoa, Nellie! The Outlaw King of the Wild Middle West (History Theatre). Proud to be working in a trans refuge state with GNC hotties.

@emmlsnbits / www.emrosetheatre.com

He/She

Blackberry is a vibrant and soulful queer crooner known for her deeply emotional performances and romantic heart. A true nerd at heart, she brings a unique blend of energy and passion to her music. Her voice, rich with soul and authenticity, captivates audiences, making every performance a memorable experience. Blackberry's dedication to her craft and her ability to connect with listeners on a personal level set her apart in the music world, making her a beloved figure in the community.

They/She

Atim Opoka is a Ugandan-American(Acholi) songwriter, vocalist, composer, producer, and teaching artist. Who fuses Afro-pop and alternative beats while embracing the power of transformative storytelling. 

Atim believes in the power of storytelling. Part of their current practice is decolonizing what is “Good Art”. Challenging the power structures that decide what and whose stories get told. Life is art, and it is all around us. There is power in  imagination, and being able to dream. To let your mind wander, and your heart feel. That is how they create their art. 

They are a 2024 Naked Stages Fellow, 2024 Monkeybear Puppetry Cohort, 2023 Jerome Hill Artist Fellow, TRCSTR 2023 Artist, a 2021 recipient of a Waters Award, as well as an Our Space is Spoken For Fellowship from the Twin Cities Media Alliance. Has had a residency at three-thrity one space with Rosy Simas Danse.  They are inspired to share authentic stories. Amplifying marginalized people taking their power back by telling their stories.  She believes that  art is a birthright. 

"There is value in learning foundations, and building things the traditional way. But there is something refreshing in breaking the rules. Trying new ways to use the tools that you have mastered and received. That is how I approach creating art.”  - Atim Opoka

He/Him

Andrew loves performing... so much. But with the world being how it is, and some residual insecurity about his singing voice on T... he hasn't been making much time for it. As a child, he spent most of his time singing, dancing, and acting, but the process of transition drew him inward and towards a life of organizing and movement building. Recently, he has been wondering if all of it has to be so mutually exclusive. He'd like to give a huge thank you to Frankie and the trans cab team for inviting him out of his own shell. Trans people forever!!

They/Them

Gillian Gauntt is a Twin Cities-based actor & singer. Since graduating from St. Olaf College in 2019, they’ve performed with several local music/theatre orgs including Minnesota Opera, One Voice Mixed Chorus, and Opera on Tap-Twin Cities. Gillian has also enjoyed independently producing, programming, and performing in their own projects, including making their drag debut as G. Alexander in “Bosom Buddies: a Titillating Cabaret” last year. They are deeply passionate about creating more safe and affirming spaces for queer, trans, and plus-sized artists in the performing arts. You can find more of their work on Instagram and YouTube!

they/them

Ryleigh fell in love with music at an early age. One of the biggest musical influences in Ryleigh's childhood was being a member of their local show choirs. Seven years of show choir led Ryleigh to pursue a music degree in college. Ryleigh has a BS in music education and a BA in general music. At University, Ryleigh had the opportunity to perform in operas and played the Queen of the Night role in Mozart's The Magic Flute. Ryleigh's main instrument at University was the voice, but they love to learn how to play other instruments. Some instruments they have learned how to play are piano, clarinet, saxophone, ukulele, guitar, and bass guitar. Currently, Ryleigh is a special education teacher, but still has a desire to be involved in music. They have been nervous about returning to the musical theatre scene since identifying as genderfluid, but when they found Trans Voices Cabaret, they knew they had to give it a shot.

they/them

Tor Chavarria is a non-binary, Latinx artist, activist, and community organizer. They currently are a management analyst of Oversight & Evaluation for the City of Minneapolis. Tor is very passionate in creating change for underinvested communities and making sure that every person has a platform to share their voice. As an artist, Tor has worked for 20% Theatre Company, Mixed Blood Theater, Sandbox Theater, Frank Theatre, and The Walker Art Center. Tor is very happy to come out of performance retirement to perform in the Trans Voices Cabaret. In everything Tor does, they want to spread the message, “In order to love ourselves, we must be free to be ourselves”.

He/They

"It's not hate that makes people, it's love that makes people". AK is an artist of many forms; Drag Artist, Graphic Designer, Actor, Digital Artist, Crocheter- just to name a few. He is the proud cat dad to a little calico named Soup, and can often be found near a D&D table, craft store, or drag show depending on the night. His first job is currently medical scheduling, but he spends his free time with his second job- being the co-producer and graphic designer of the drag company Tooth & Nails, which hosts monthly themed alternative shows.

She/They

Gloria is a multimedia and performance artist based in the twin cities. They are a Minneapolis artist focusing on creating live performance, projections, photographs, movies, live broadcasts, and music. They work in the service industry and also like making music videos for local bands. They enjoy archiving productions and creating promotions for local performers as well.

They/She/He

Cooper is thrilled to be making their Trans Voices Cabaret debut. Originally from Colorado, they have been a Twin Cities based theater maker for the last 7 years. Previous acting credits include The Gray Mallard Theater Co. (Romeo and Juliet), The Guthrie Theater (The Tempest), Jungle Theater (Hearts on Fire), Artistry Theater (Shrek), The Playwrights Center, Flying Foot Forum (Heaven), and Full Circle Theater (Antigonik). They hold a BFA in Acting from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program, and have since assistant directed 3 productions. This fall they returned to direct “Anna in the Tropics” by Nilo Cruz for 2nd year students. They are grateful to be surrounded by such incredible Trans excellence and artistry. 

He/Him

Ben was raised in the Twin Cities metro area surrounded by music. He started doing theater and choir at the age of 12, and hasn’t stopped since. Soon after coming out as trans he started advocating for transgender students in his school district. He studied Music Education at Temple University in Philadelphia, graduated in 2022, and has been teaching various subjects over the last two years. Now, Ben is lucky enough to be a sexual health and wellbeing educator at his old middle school, continuing on the path of advocacy and education. His dream roles as a young trans boy included Hercules, Joseph, and Seymour, none of which have happened yet(not for lack of trying). He is so excited to be a part of the Trans Voices Cabaret family!

Organizer, Director
He/Him

Hal Sansone is a theatre artist, writer, and herbalist-gardener. He most recently created and performed Trans Man Gay Club Disco Fantasy as a Naked Stages Fellow at Pillsbury House Theatre. hal has been a company member with Sandbox Theatre since 2019. New works with Sandbox include Light My Way, Bone Mother, The Golden Record Project, and Words.Do.Move. He has also worked with various theatre companies in the Twin Cities as an actor, deviser, and teaching artist. As a poet, his micro-chapbook Winter Garlic: Healing Poems for my Root System was published by Ethel in 2023.

Stage Manager & Organizer 
He/They

Frankie is a stage manager, Virgo, and lover. They are honored to be working on the Trans Voices Cabaret again and believe it is crucial to continue creating spaces to celebrate and showcase trans joy in a world that so often seeks to silence and destroy us. Frankie most recently worked on The Dumb Waiter and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) with Jackdonkey Productions. He is on the artistic team for Jackdonkey Productions as the production manager, and you can catch them next at Jackdonkey’s Misfits Cabaret. When they’re not stage managing, they’re probably hanging out.

Accompanist
She/Her

Klo Vivienne Garoute is a voice teacher, singer, keyboardist, conductor, and composer/songwriter. She obtained a Bachelor's of Music in Electronic Production & Design from Berklee College of Music and studied in the Master's of Music program in Choral Music at University of Southern California. She has devoted much of her time to singing in and directing choirs, studying voice science and pedagogy, playing keyboard for jazz, rock, and classical groups, and producing original work for various ensembles. Having recently relocated to the Twin Cities, Klo currently works as a gender-affirming voice teacher and as the Artistic Director of Calliope Women's Chorus.

Design & Marketing
They/He

Professional Hype Man™ and opera singer. AKA SharkyLemon, Myrtle is a communications and branding expert based in South Minneapolis. Solely because of the body they inhabit, he is constantly advocating for justice for both himself and his community – their identity is an unintentional political statement. At a time when trans folks are being forcibly de-transitioned, facing various medical exclusions, and working against our own legislature, Myrtle uses their skills and expertise to better the future in the arts, in small businesses, across the political landscape, and more. Myrtle’s full time home is providing education and advocacy for local trans-owned business Smitten Kitten, while freelancing for a whole host of other incredible orgs.

Audio Technician
any/all

Maje Adams is an independent vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer based in Minneapolis. The 27-year-old Nigerian-American's eclectic influences cover the sonic map, taking hints from everything from prog-rock, Midwest emo, and post-hardcore to indie folk, ambient, and Romantic-era classical.

Lighting Technician 
he/they

Spencer Arevalo is a local nonbinary puppeteer, theater artist, and educator. Originally from Texas, he received his BA from University of Minnesota Theater Arts Program, and has loved and lived in South Minneapolis since. You may have seen him recently working backstage at the Jungle Theater on Dinner For One, Speechless, or Jumping Off Point. I would like to dedicate this show to my recently passed partner, Oak, and other trans community members lost to institutional violence. Our memories empower us to continue the fight for trans euphoria and freedom.