Pictured: Avi Roque 

SPIEL CHICAGO is a bi-weekly podcast that explores the progressive and thoughtful work of women in Chicago theater. To listen to past Spiel Chicago podcasts click here.

The burgeoning discussion about transgender inclusion in Chicago Theatre is encouraging. It’s great to see large institutions like Steppenwolf and The Goodman Theatre beginning to have important conversations about trans representation on their stages. But for the people living this struggle, those conversations can a little, well … basic.

In this episode, Avi Roque (they/them) guest hosts a conversation with three other transgender actors: Charlie Baker (he/him), Jojo Brown (she/her) and Theo Germaine (they/them) about what it’s really like to be a transgender actor in Chicago.

Special thanks to Avi for all of their work coordinating and hosting this special episode.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Avi Roque
  • Twitter: (@ok_roque)
  • We’re Gonna Be Okay, American Theatre Company
  • The Crucible, Steppenwolf for Young Adults
  • Boy, Timeline Theatre
• Jojo Brown
  • Charm, MCC Theatre
• Theo Germaine
  • Queer/Trans/Kink Positive Films
  • Welcome to Jesus at American Theatre Company
• Charlie Baker Ally Activist Vlog

Pictured (top): Jojo Brown, and Avi Roque. Bottom: Charlie Baker and Theo Germaine

The opening theme song was composed by Mark Rosenthal of Body Counts and Beers podcast (@bodycountcast).

All other music was composed by Lee Rosevere.