Instagram story viewer> @qtkzoo> Posts
Queer Theatre Kalamazoo(@qtkzoo)'s profile avatar HD Profile

Queer Theatre Kalamazoo

@qtkzoo

373
followers
4
following
We exist to empower all queer voices by building an accessible and equitable community through theatre and the arts.
POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED
Thanks to everyone who joined us for the incredible opening night of Aysha Zackria's "Pillow Fortress" at Heirloom Arts yesterday. It's been such a joy workshopping the evolution of this new script with the playwright and dramaturg Kendra Ann Flournoy for the regional premiere of a play Zackria describes as "part polemic, part slumber party, and all chaos" as three classmates working on a group project -- Chelsea who has a penchant for the law, Ry who advocates for prison abolition and Jordan who is just scared shitless -- receive an alert that someone has just escaped the local jail. Said Sloan, an opening night attendee: "'Pillow Fortress' is an intimate story with outstanding actors. A great show for a laugh and a bit of food for thought." We hope you'll join us for the Oct. 18 matinee, where you can meet the playwright, our Oct. 22 American Sign Language interpretation-supported staging, or our final weekend of shows on Oct. 23-25. Hear from the cast, crew and playwright about this highly relatable, thought-provoking exploration of friendship and feminism, racism and privilege, and more in your email inbox if you're a subscriber or at https://bit.ly/4sbPs2y if you haven't yet signed up! #SupportQueerArt #SupportQueerArtists #QueerTheatre #KalamazooTheatre #Kalamazoo by @qtkzoo
0
7 hours ago
Download
Thank you to Queer Theatre Kalamazoo and a special thanks to Ynika Yuag for commissioning me to design the poster for Aysha Zackria’s Pillow Fortress. This was such a fun play to read, and I am excited to watch it unfold on stage. Get your tickets now! For more information, please visit Queer Theatre Kalamazoo’s socials and website. @qtkzoo Tonight is the premiere, and I wish all of the amazing cast and crew a hearty break a leg! by @qtkzoo
5
a day ago
Download
The cast and crew of Queer Theatre Kalamazoo's regional premiere of "Pillow Fortress" has loved collaborating remotely with playwright Aysha Zackria and dramaturg Kendra Ann Flournoy on adaptations to the script for the play, which opens tomorrow (Oct. 15) at @heirloomartsllc. Additional dates include Oct. 18 and Oct. 22-25 (with ASL interpretation available on Oct. 22). Playwright Aysha Zackria said: "Working with this team has been a dream. I feel very lucky to see the cast breathe life into these characters and to hear them reflect on the story in their own words." Aysha Zackria is a queer Pakistani-American award-winning dramatist, writer, and musician who earned her BFA in Dramaturgy from Carnegie Mellon University. She has written plays that examine social issues, including “Proximity,” “Natural Law,” and “Pillow Fortress.” In all of her pursuits, she hopes to amplify opportunities for societal growth through creation. Learn more about Zackria and her work at ayshazackria.com, and grab your pay-what-you-can "Pillow Fortress" tickets at https://www.queertk.org/. #SupportQueerArt #SupportQueerArtists #KalamazooTheatre #QueerTheatre #Kalamazoo Graphic reads Meet the Playwright and includes "Pillow Fortress" pillow pile logo, QTK logo with rainbow beneath, photo of Aysha Zackria and the quote: Working with this team has been such a dream! I feel very lucky to see the cast breathe life into these characters and to hear them reflect on the story in their own words. I've made several changes to the script as a result of my collaboration with the cast, Ynika (Yuag, director), and Kendra (Ann Flournoy, dramaturg) who are all such brilliant dramaturgical minds. I'm very excited for the audience to see this new version of Pillow Fortress! by @qtkzoo
0
2 days ago
Download
The regional premiere of "Pillow Fortress" at Heirloom Arts is just two days away, with additional performances on Oct. 18 and 22-25 (with ASL interpretation on Oct. 22). We asked Stage Manager Cody A. Watson about his experience working on the production: "I'm very much enjoying being a part of the 'Pillow Fortress' process for multiple reasons, but one of the most interesting to me is that it's a new work, which is something I've never been involved in before. I've been learning so much about the process of bringing a new play to life, like getting script edits from the playwright during our rehearsal process. Seeing the changes and the character arcs deepening through the edits has been so fascinating - and it's been really cool to see a change in the script that directly came about through something we talked about in rehearsal! The whole team - cast and production team - has been incredible to work with as well." While Watson has assistant stage managed several productions, this is his first time serving as Stage Manager. He's also performed in many area productions, including QTK's 2025 Queer Shorts Festival; Kalamazoo Civic's "Forever Plaid "(Sparky), "Annie" (Drake & Apple Seller), "The Wedding Singer" (David & Billy Idol); and at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre in "Cats" (Carbuckety). We hope you'll join us at the incredible and thought-provoking show, and please SHARE this post to help spread the word! #QueerTheatre #RegionalPremiere #SupportQueerArt #SupportQueerArtists #KalamazooTheatre @kazoocivic @heirloomartsllc @grcivictheatre @c.watson9 Graphic reads Meet the Stage Manager and includes "Pillow Fortress" pillow pile logo, QTK logo, photo of Cody A. Watson and a quote: The show tackles a lot of heavy topics in a way that is thought-provoking, non-conclusive, and interesting. It does this with moments of tenderness, fear, joy, discomfort, laughter, and even a bit of romance. If you like shows where you can laugh and have a good time, but also leave the room having a debate with your friends about prison abolition, racial justice, or feminism - this is the show for you! by @qtkzoo
2
3 days ago
Download
We’re having a blast working with Clare Ray, in their Queer Theatre Kalamazoo debut, and she says the feeling is mutual: “I am so honored and stoked to be in my first QTK Show! Uplifting and empowering queer art is important for any art scene. It’s integral to also perform stories that highlight diversity in the Queer community and remind us there’s no one way to be any label or identity,” she said. Ray, who has appeared in freelance projects and with Face Off Theatre Company, has spent the majority of their time on-stage playing the clarinet. She says she’s enjoying exploring how the “Pillow Fortress” script explores fear and how our lived experiences may shape how we cope ... This production is for anyone with or seeking a strong sense of community. We’re telling the story of 3 individuals from different backgrounds, who, when forced together, explore our dynamics and intersections of our identities. It’s never too late to get to know your fellow neighbors, peers, or local workers.” “Pillow Fortress” opens this Thursday, Oct. 15, at Heirloom Arts, with additional performances Oct. 18 and Oct. 22-25. American Sign Language interpretation will be available at the Oct. 22 performance, and pay-what-you-can tickets are available at https://www.queertk.org/. #KalamazooTheatre #QueerTheatre #SupportQueerArtists #SupportQueerArt #Kalamazoo @faceofftheatre @heirloomartsllc Graphic includes headshot of Clare Ray and quote reading: I am so honored and stoked to be in my first QTK Show! Uplifting and empowering queer art is important for any art scene. It’s integral to also perform stories that highlight diversity in the Queer community and remind us there’s no one way to be any label or identity. We’re telling the story of three individuals from different backgrounds, who, when forced together, explore our dynamics and intersections of our identities. It’s never too late to get to know your fellow neighbors, peers, or local workers. Also included are the show's poster (a pile of pillows) and the words: Meet the Cast in a ticket-shaped box. by @qtkzoo
0
4 days ago
Download
On #ComingOutDay and every day, we support queer art and uplift queer artists. We hope you'll come out to support our work this season, which opens this Thursday with "Pillow Fortress" at @heirloomartsllc. #HappyComingOutDay🏳️‍🌈 #SupportQueerArt #SupportQueerArtists #Kalamazoo Depiction of the fully inclusive LGBTQIA+ flag, with "Happy Coming Out Day" written in all the colors of that flag and the QTK logo (with a rainbow line beneath it) at the bottom. by @qtkzoo
0
5 days ago
Download
We're thrilled to be working with Milan Levy again, following their appearance in our 2025 production of "Taproot." Milan was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, and became involved in theatre as a youth, appearing as the Yellow Brick Road in "The Wizard of Oz" and joining a Shakespearean troupe at age 11. They studied technical theatre and acting at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts from Kalamazoo College in 2023. After graduating, Milan became the production manager at Face Off Theatre Company and a program coordinator at their alma mater. Milan is thrilled to be back on stage with QTK: "This cast and crew meld together very well. We are all silly and ridiculous and care about sharing this story with one another, which I think is a beautiful thing." "Pillow Fortress" will be staged at Heirloom Arts on Oct. 15, 18 and 22-25 with American Sign Language interpretation available on Oct. 22. #SupportQueerArtists #SupportQueerArt #QueerTheatre #Kalamazoo #KalamazooTheatre @faceofftheatre @kalamazoocollege @heirloomartsllc by @qtkzoo
2
7 days ago
Download
We're so excited to work with Lydia Kanous again, following her QTK debut in "Doctor Voynich and Her Children" earlier this year. Other roles Kanous has performed include Lillith in "She Kills Monsters," Miss Scarlet in "Clue," Jessie in "Sweat," Jack's Mom in "Into the Woods" and Paulina in "The Seagull." "This is the first production I’ve been in where we all walk out together every night and we all hug goodbye," they said. "I’ve started us on pre-show cheers and it truly feels like a slumber party everyday. My favorite part of this production is the collaboration between artists and an always evolving script! Everyone should attend this production -- the script is phenomenal and relatable to people from all different backgrounds and experiences. It highlights real life issues happening today and how important having community is." Secure your tickets now at https://qtk.ludus.com/index.php (we offer pay-what-you-can pricing). Opening night is just a week away! #SupportQueerArtists #QueerTheatre #SupportQueerArt #KalamazooTheatre #Kalamazoo Graphic reads Meet the Cast (in a ticket shape) and includes "Pillow Fortress" logo and headshot of Lydia Kanous, and a pink quote reading: Everyone should attend this production. The script is phenomenal and relatable to people from all different backgrounds and experiences. It highlights real life issues happening today and how important having community is. This is the first production I’ve been in where we all walk out together every night and we all hug goodbye ... it truly feels like a slumber party everyday. by @qtkzoo
4
8 days ago
Download
We're profoundly grateful to our founder Laura Kay Henderson, who founded Queer Theatre Kalamazoo in 2013. Please join us in throwing a huge birthday party for her in the comments! 🎈 🎉 🎁 🌈 #QueerTheatre #SupportQueerArtists #SupportQueerArt #KalamazooTheatre #HappyBirthday Graphic includes balloon border and lilac background and reads Happy Birthday in the center. It includes three photos of Laura Kay Henderson in white boxes. by @qtkzoo
1
9 days ago
Download
We’re so excited to introduce you to the talented team bringing the regional premiere of Aysha Zackria’s “PIllow Fortress” to Kalamazoo. Today, meet Gwen Saulino, who portrays Officer Kim. The actress, who’s performed in Kalamazoo Civic Theatre productions throughout the years, said she’s already learned a lot about both societal biases and about herself during rehearsals for her Queer Theatre Kalamazoo debut: “My cast mates have welcomed me warmly, and I expressed to them that I am a work in progress and I am learning to recognize my biases, and I appreciate them helping me understand more about the differences we all have. Being a part of this group has given me exposure to societal 'norms' that are not always good for folks and taught me how to be a better person and a kinder person.” #QueerTheatre #KalamazooTheatre #MeetTheCast #SupportQueerArt @gsaulino1070 @kazoocivic Graphic includes "Pillow Fortress" and QTK logos and head-shot of Gwen Saulino and a ticket-shaped graphic that reads Meet the Cast. It also includes a quote from Saulino: This is my first show with QTK. I am so excited to be a part of this group. I have acted at Kalamazoo Civic for many years and am grateful to spread my wings with more theatres in the area. Everyone should come see this production so they too can see the dynamics of different people coming together and learning from each other. by @qtkzoo
1
10 days ago
Download
That first cup of Monday morning coffee just hits better in a Queer Theatre Kalamazoo mug, doesn’t it? ☕ Drop what’s getting you through the day in the comments, and pick up your own QTK mug with a white, pink, red, orange, green or blue handle at https://www.bonfire.com/store/queer-theatre-kalamazoo/. 🤍🩷❤️🧡💚💙 #MerchMonday #QueerTheatre #KalamazooTheatre #SupportQueerArtists by @qtkzoo
0
11 days ago
Download
It’s a tradition at this point for me to upload an event calendar with a typo on it that I don’t catch for like a week 🌈anyways here’s a CORRECT event calendar! Our Halloween flash days are on the 3rd (today for a few more hours!) and the 17th from 12-6p, the 31st from 12-4p. Our last flash day of the season is November, Friday the 13th, which will be a fundraiser for @battlecreekaazkchapter ! We’re also hosting @qtkzoo ‘s season opener, Pillow Fortress, and @stoofzz.tat ‘s birthday movie night—SO many exciting events WEEEEEEEEEE 🌈🥳🎃👻#michigantattooers #flashtattoos #madeinkalamazoo #queertattooartist #kalamazoo taken in Heirloom Arts LLC by @qtkzoo
0
13 days ago
Download

Download All

Save the photos and videos currently loaded on this page.

0Photos
0Videos
Ready to download 0 / 0

Keep this tab open until your download is ready.
back to up