Trans Mom vs. Family Court: Justice Sees No Gender

THURS, JUNE 5TH – 5:30pm | FRI, JUNE 13th – 6:00pm | SAT, JUNE 28th – 7:30pm

Why am I chronicling my transition to trans-mother while simultaneously fighting for custody rights in 1995 without an attorney? Because positive trans-stories are needed as witness of common ground and our rightful place in society. I’m sharing my custody battle for the first time publicly to help reframe trans stereotypes and empower our community and allies against dishonest rhetoric and discriminatory legislation.

Maybe telling this story risks backlash, but still I’m urgently compelled to challenge bias and hate, and save lives; especially as we face persecution and legislative animus trying to literally erase trans people!

My story highlights how transgender parents face discriminatory scrutiny in custody battles, where ‘best interest of the child’ is often weaponized against them based solely on gender identity. Despite psychological experts confirming that transitioning doesn’t affect parenting abilities, these biases persist in our legal system.

Set in the 90’s, my story also shows that being ‘trans’ isn’t some recent phenomenon. We have always been here and always will be.

Transgender rights are revoked daily. As of April 2025, there are over 850 anti-transgender bills under consideration nationwide, with 219 actively being considered as of January 17, 2025.

Some of us feel like giving up, fleeing our country. They want us terrified. States like Kentucky and Nevada have terminated parental rights based on gender identity. We cannot bear more parents being separated from their children, more trans suicides, more hate crimes – and more lies.

The issue extends beyond courtrooms into broader civil rights challenges affecting LGBTQIA2S communities. As more people live authentically, trans custody disputes increase, forcing some parents to choose between their truth and relationships with their children. This reflects an openly coordinated pattern of attacks – from challenges to same-sex marriage, sports participation, restroom choices, medical treatment and adoption rights to restrictions on discussing gender and sexuality in schools.

These efforts connect with increased surveillance of marginalized groups and attempts to weaken workplace protections against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Their agenda is ultimately about controlling not just identities, but bodies, voices, and personal freedoms.

At this moment, trans rights are being rolled back decades and our very existence is being undermined.

In 2024;

* 46% of trans and nonbinary youth considered suicide (14% attempted)
* Anti-trans laws increased suicide up to 72%
* At least 32 trans individuals were murdered
* FBI data shows rising LGBTQIA2S hate crimes

I’m weaving live looping, reenactment, courtroom audio and transcripts, my music and photographs to entertain, educate, motivate and unify. My story demonstrates that authenticity and equal rights are as valid for trans people as for cis people and the potential impact demands that my story be shared. I truly appreciate your support for my play and for our community!

Anyone under 16 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
There is no violence, ideations or profanity but there are contextual sexual references.

[Discount Code: lafpi25]

El Mago Loco starring & created by Linzy Beltran, directed & co-devised by Natasha Mercado

Show Description

Making its 2025 debut as a Hollywood Fringe Scholarship Winner, El Mago Loco is a magician who only does what he knows: Latino magic tricks! But what happens when you show up (white, black, Asian-American, Brazilian?) and the audience isn’t 100% Latino? What follows is only una noche to prove his worth (magically, of course) and the discovery that true happiness in mediocrity is better than someone else’s (you!) version of success. Oh and yeah, he’s going to do that trick where he cuts someone in half (also you?).

Ticket Price: $15

Tickets go on sale on May 1!

2025 HOLLYWOOD FRINGE SCHOLARSHIP WINNER!

Amidst the chaos and mayhem of a topsy-turvy life, Charlene finds herself in the absurd predicament of being a walking paradox: a visibly pregnant woman who isn’t actually pregnant. Misunderstood and left to her own devices after conventional remedies fail to heal her condition, she stumbles upon a controversial remedy that isn’t entirely legal.

She’s About to POP! is a one woman show that tickles as well as it taunts. Written and performed by Charlene Modeste, it pokes fun at stigma, false narratives and other immaculate misconceptions. If laughter is the best medicine and healing isn’t a crime, get yourself a ticket to the show at any of the allotted times. 

Q & A following each performance.

Plato’s cave except it’s a slumber party with 7 clowns directed by Natasha Mercado. “The Birth of Disco” is a Lynchian physical comedy and feminist clown allegory exploring play in the face of capitalism. What happens when we all stay up late and start asking the real questions?

Written by: Molly Koch, Alex Derderian, Angelika Giatras, Franny Harold, Hollis Hart, Tiff Ogburn, Emily Markoe and Natasha Mercado

As seen on Chicago Med, East Bound & Down, Toronto & San Fran Sketchfest, Just for Laughs, Sleep No More, Edinburgh Fringe, and a Rugrats Commercial.

SHOW TIMES

Saturday June 7 2025, 11:00 AM | 1hr

The Broadwater (Black Box)

6322 Santa Monica Blvd.

Saturday June 14 2025, 11:55 PM | 1hr

The Broadwater (Black Box)

6322 Santa Monica Blvd.

Sunday June 22 2025, 5:30 PM | 1hr

The Broadwater (Black Box)

6322 Santa Monica Blvd.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/h0ly.h0ly/

#HolyHoly

BEST OF FRINGE – Capital Fringe Festival 2023

How far would you go to feel those you’ve lost?

After her beloved father dies, everyone tells Adedana that her father will always be with her. But she doesn’t feel him. At all. And she wonders, is she doing her first go of grief right?

In search of his presence, Adedana does the one thing she knows how to do: plan a grand adventure, a road trip to the Grand Canyon. Trouble is, she doesn’t have a driver’s license. And so begins the journey of a lifetime through the American Southwest, where she finds someone else entirely.

Grief Baby’s First Road Trip is a standup dramedy on the good, the bad, the funny, and the unbelievable of grief – i.e. the perks and perils African dad parenting, what people say that is (and isn’t) helpful, getting more attractive despite being really sad, and other things to expect when you unexpectedly lose your favorite person.

Prepare to laughcry/crylaugh at the show that earned 4.5 stars and a “Best of Fringe” designation at its world premiere at the 2023 Capital Fringe Festival in Washington, D.C.

-collage credit: Kalindi Winfield-

Kittens by Annika Hoseth

Shirley, Jane, and Victoria are thrilled to have secured the best job for a young woman in 1968… they’re Kittens at the Pussy Cat Cub! They spend their nights wearing Kitten ears, a fluffy tail, and a tight bodysuit, serving the most powerful men in New York City. Their boss, Kitten Mother, reveals that Pussy Cat Inc. will release a magazine with one lucky Kitten posing on the cover. However, the girls begin to reconsider how perfect this job really is after discovering things aren’t quite as modern as they thought. Kittens is new musical with an all-female cast.

Directed by Rosie Corr and accompanied by Caleb Brunman

Saturday June 7 at 8:30pm, Sunday June 15 at 9:30pm, Friday June 20 at 5pm, Wednesday June 25 at 5pm, and Sunday June 29 at 12:30pm

https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/11627?tab=details

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kittensmusical/

The Wizard of Oh No! By: Molly Kauffman

Directed by Gayla Goehl

Assistant Director and Stage Manager: Cortney Roles

Produced by Molly Kauffman and Alora Kinley

SHOWTIMES:

Friday June 6th, 8pm

Friday June 13th, 8:30pm

Monday June 23rd, 8pm

Saturday June 28th, 2pm

Sunday June 29th, 2pm

Show Synopsis:

Angie McDormitt’s (self-proclaimed intersectional theater-maker and human soul) dream is to bring her own modern retelling of The Wizard of Oz to 2025 audiences. With a few last-minute dropouts, big egos, and tech snafus, the production does not go exactly as she imagined.

Sepulveda Basin Community Theatre and Angie McDormitt present MODERN WIZARD OF OZ. The production starts with 10 actors; let’s see how many they end with. Yes, the board-op may only be here for college class credit but they’re gonna do a great job, right? So what if Angie’s mother is filling in? She’ll be fine! What else could possibly go wrong with this motley crew??

Website: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/11492?tab=details

Instagram: @sepulvedabasintheatre

The year is 1804. Napoleon Bonaparte has just been crowned Emperor of France and he would really like his younger sister to behave like a good girl. Her new husband, Prince Camillo Borghese of Italy, would appreciate the same. Pauline has other ideas.

When Camillo commissions the renowned sculptor Antonio Canova to create a virginal statue of Pauline, she shocks the world by instead posing buck ass naked.

This play takes place at the party where the statue is unveiled.

At it’s heart, this is the story of men in power telling a woman what to do with her own body — and that woman tells them to f*** right off.

Enchanted Silverware by Cat Miggs

Enchanted Silverware is a musical about the kitchen staff who are just doing their job one minute and the next minute turn into silverware because their Prince pisses off a witch! 

Why silverware?

What is life now that they are not human?

Will they ever change back or do they have to accept their fate that they will be objects forever?

Find out in the 10 year span before the Bookworm shows up, it’s a story of hope, love and resilience.

Written by, Lyrics by, Produced by and Directed by Cat Miggs

Music by Branson P. NeJame

Showtimes: Su 6/8- 5pm , Th 6/12- 8:30pm, Su 6/15- 1:30pm, Fr 6/20- 7pm, Sa 6/28-5pm

Website: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/11763

Social Media: @cat.miggs, @enchanted_silverware

“So Baby” by Talisa Friedman

The struggle to get into a top college is real these days – the New York Times said 2024 was “Peak College Admissions Insanity.” But what happens after you’ve finally been accepted? 

Miri begins freshman year with big dreams for her college experience (read: boys and books), but she quickly finds herself caught between her two more “forceful” roommates. Jordyn is a powerful, or power-hungry, leader in the Black community; Roksana is a selfish aspiring model. As the tension in their dorm room bubbles over, the girls confront betrayal, heartache, and what it means to have power in this world.

So Baby is a world premiere play by Talisa Friedman, winner of the National Jewish Playwriting Competition. It is co-directed by Josie Andrews, whose experience as a USC film professor has given her quite the window into the messy world of college coeds, and Sierra Nutkevitch, who specializes in stories about complicated women…which definitely applies to the women in this play.

Starring Emily Hope Turner, Ciara Cain, & Diana Malota

Broadwater Mainstage

Mon 6/9 @ 6:30pm

Mon 6/16 @ 9pm

Sat 6/21 @ 11am

Fri 6/27 @ 6:30pm

Sun 6/29 @ 7:30pm

www.sobabyplay.com

Instagram: @sobabyplay

Shake It Away: The Ann Miller Story, will have its world premiere in the 2025 Hollywood Fringe Festival, running June 10–15 at The Hudson Theatres. The production is written by and stars Kayla Boye and is directed by Michael Weber.

On a soundstage at the 1970 MGM studio auction, dancer Ann Miller revisits the Golden Age of Hollywood and discovers her second act as a Broadway star. Featuring selections from the Great American Songbook, this love letter to entertainment is written by and stars Kayla Boye, whose Call Me Elizabeth premiered in the 2022 Hollywood Fringe and has since sold out a critically acclaimed, international tour. 

The creative team includes Michael Weber (director), Tammy Mader (choreographer), and Linda Madonia (music director). 

Curtain times are Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 6:30pm; and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30pm.  www.shakeitawayplay.com.

TITLE:

“Me, Myself and Other”, by Diana Romero

DESCRIPTION:

A first-generation American grappling with the feeling of being “othered” throughout her life is forced to confront and embrace her true identity after a life-altering diagnosis, leading her on a journey of self-acceptance, resilience, and empowerment in this heartfelt and humorous solo show.

CREATIVE TEAM:

Maggie Whittum, director, producer and theatre actor/director who is a stroke survivor; TL Forsberg, HDD Scholarship mentor who is Deaf/Hard of hearing and myself, Diana Romero, an MS warrior who uses a wheelchair. We are the Dream Team of disabled creatives!

SHOWTIMES

Wed June 18 @ 8:00 PM

Sat June 21 @ 2:15 PM

Sun June 22 @ 6:15 PM

Tues June 24 @8 PM

Thurs June 26 @6:15 PM

Sat June 28 @6:15 PM

Sun June 29 @4 PM

Website:

www.memyselfother.com

Social media links and/or hashtags

Instagram and FB: @me.myself.other

#Fringe #FringeFestival #FringeArtist #HollywoodFringe #HollywoodFringeFestival #HFF25 #MultipleSclerosis #MSWarrior #MultipleSclerosisAwareness #MSAwareness #ChronicIllness #Spoonie #Disability #Disabled #DisabledWriter #DisabledActor #DisabledProducer #DisabledDirector #DisabledArtist #DisabilityInMedia #LiveTheatre #Theatre #LATHR #LATheatre #WorldPremiere #SoloPerformance #SoloArtist #SoloTheatre #SoloAct #OneWomanShow #Accessibility #Latina #LatinaArtist #LatinaWriter #MSWarrior #StrokeSurvivor #DisabilityRepresentation #RepresentationMatters #FirstGeneration #DisabledStory #AudienceFeedback

“Earth, Wind & Car Fire” by Janora McDuffie

In “Earth, Wind & Car Fire,” Janora McDuffie takes us on a captivating journey of self-discovery and transformation. From embracing her sexuality and navigating the complexities of race to redefining personal expectations, this 60-minute solo show is a celebration of life’s twists, turns, and triumphs. Come with Janora on this entertaining & soulful joyride and oversharing adventure.

Directed by Joseph Megel

Produced by Jessica Lynn Johnson

Saturday,  June 21 @ 2:00p 

Sunday, June 22 @ 7:45p

Sunday, June 29 @ 3:15P

https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/12276

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jmcdeezie/