Undergraduate Capstone Project

As part of the completion of a BA in Theatre Arts, seniors in the program are required to complete a capstone project. I am currently working on a project exploring how medical transition (hormone replacement therapy and surgeries) affect transgender performers in multiple areas. Continue reading below about my current progress, along with the research I am conducting.

Current Progress

Interviews

As part of this project, I am conducting my own research. I will be interviewing transgender perforrmers in multiple areas about their experiences with HRT and surgeries and how they have affected their abilities to perform.

Research

With help from Danielle Steele, organizer of the Transgender Singing Voice Conference, I am currently working on compiling resources to use for my paper and presentation.

Stay Tuned!

As I complete items in my project, they will be uploaded here. Keep an eye out for my completed research paper and presentation, coming spring 2024!

Why It Matters

As someone who grew up singing and performing, losing my singing voice was my biggest fear when beginning my medical transition. I was worried I would lose the flexibility and skill I had as a coloratura soprano and felt immense pressure to stay in the closet because of this. Once I started taking testosterone, I stopped singing for a year and had to completely relearn how to use my voice in the baritone range. I am fascinated with hearing the experiences of others, and seeing where our experiences differ. Part of this research project will be exploring why we don't see many transgender performers on Broadway, how that has improved over the last few years, and if there is any correlation between medical transition and the likelihood of being cast in/chosen for a performance project.