Kate Bornstein is a Queer and Pleasant Danger

Kate Bornstein

I attended a BENEFIT SHOW called WE LOVE KATE this past Sunday at The Cutting Room in NYC! It truly was a fabulous evening including performances by Justin Vivian Bond, Mike Daisey, Carla Rhodes, Glitta Supernova, Jinkx Monsoon & the Major Scales, Amber Martin, the cast of Gertrude Stein Saints, MC Murray Hill, and DJ Sveta!


I first met Kate Bornstein when I was cast to portray her, 14 years ago, in her play "Hidden A Gender" at VCU. The original director and dramaturg Noreen Barnes http://arts.vcu.edu/theatre/bio/dr-noreen-c-barnes-phd/ had premiered the play in San Fransico at Theater Rhinocerous. The original cast included Kate and Justin Vivian Bond, http://justinbond.com/ who went on to develop and tour the original show "Kiki and Herb" and "The Drift".

Noreen suggested we produce it at VCU. I was cast as Al/Kate and immediately panicked. "How would I possibly portray such a dynamic psyche? How would I "transition" physically, spiritually from playing a male gender to female in an authentic performance? Noreen suggested that I call Kate in New York and chat with her. I remember like it was yesterday the moment when she answered the phone. I was so nervous that I was shaking.

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"Helloooo?"

Um...hi...Kate?

"Yesss"

This is Natasha, um er, a student of Noreen's at VCU. I was cast in your show to play you, and uh well, I was wondering if you have any advice? I would really appreciate any guidance on how you think you should be portrayed?

"Oh, I am so glad you called. Yes, I would just remember to be yourself in the role. as an actor playing me use your own intuition, just follow your inner voice. Don;t worry about it you will be amazing...I don't even know how to play me dear."

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It was the first time my mother, (rest in peace ma) saw me don a strap-on onstage and it wouldn't be the last. It was to this day one of my favorite roles as an actor I have had the good fortune to perform.

I went on to interview her at length about her time growing up, babbled about how fascinated I was that her voice sounded so "female" on the phone and asked about vocal choices transitioning from AL to Kate. She was so gracious, patient and generous. I remember feeling like I was the only person in the world that day. She has this ability to do that, to make you truly feel like you have the gift. She told me about her new show "Two Tall Blondes" and book she was working on, a sort of next phase to Gender Outlaw. She would go on to pen many more works; Hello Cruel World,  Live Through This and A Queer and Pleasant Danger her most recent and raw masterpiece. She has given so many in the LGBT community, particularly youth, a reason to go on, who otherwise would've long given up the struggle. Now we must answer the call to give back to her after all, isn't that what we are here for?


To learn more about Kate and her work:

http://katebornstein.typepad.com/


To donate funds for her much needed cancer treatments:

http://www.gofundme.com/2cxb6w

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