Support LOUD: NOLA Queer Youth Theater in its 10th YEAR!!

Hello friends! For my birthday this year, I want to celebrate the birthday of an organization that’s near and dear to my heart: LOUD, New Orleans Queer Youth Theater! I was lucky enough to be a founding co-director 10 YEARS AGO alongside Rachel Lee and Rebecca Mwase (later joined by indee mitchell, who was one of the first of a long line of LOUD’S amazing leaders). While I am no longer involved in day to day operations, I am continuously stunned and proud of the work LOUD does as an organization that actualilzes the power of New Orleans’ incredible Black queer and trans youth.

LOUD’s mission is to utilize ensemble theater to cultivate tools for self-expression, develop an intersectional analysis of oppression and build community through devising and producing original theater. It has done that spectacularly over the years, not only by producing many gorgeous original works of theater created by its youth. It has done so by always living up to its values, no matter what challenges comes its way. One of the things that has always impressed me about LOUD is the way it is run as much by its youth members as it is by any adult supporters. This is not a charity for youth; this is an organization for and by Black queer youth to create the unapologetic art they want to see in the world.

Additionally, LOUD has always made a point of recognizing arts labor as labor. Each youth member of LOUD is paid for the work, and LOUD has made a point of building their capacity to increase that pay as often as they can. In an environment where safe, affirming job opportunities for Black queer and trans youth are minimal, LOUD’s ability to pay a living wage for meaningful, youth-led work is crucial. LOUD prioritizes the full humanity of the artist over production value, so while the needs of each production shift (from full scale plays to cabarets to online zoom extravaganzas), the commitment to paying the organization’s youth members remains unshakable.

That’s why, on my birthday, I want to help LOUD get money directly into the pockets of its amazing youth artists. LOUD is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and I need YOUR help in raising $2000 to help them continue their crucial work! Any donation you are able to make will go directly to the incredible Black queer and trans youth leaders of LOUD. Help me keep a living wage for Black queer and trans youth artists alive! Help me support amazing radical queer art! Help me help LOUD thrive for another 10 years!