Theatre has always been a space for artists and actors of the LGBTQIA+ community to connect with each other. When thinking of professional Theatre, most people immediately reference New York, London, or perhaps Los Angeles, but San Diego is an overlooked shining star of Regional and Pre-Broadway Theatre. In the heart of this circle, there are Queer actors bringing life to important stories of humanity. For our Pride edition, we are featuring four successful San Diego LGBTQIA+ Musical Theatre artists paving the way for a new generation of storytellers to take the stage and continue our journey of inclusivity and representation.
Gerilyn Brault: Sassy. Goofy. Belter.
Gerilyn is a performer, director, and Theatre professor who identifies as bisexual, and proudly stands to end fat phobia in casting.
Name some of your LGBTQIA+ inspirations/heroes in Theatre.
I don’t know if they’ve done theatre, but Evan Rachel Wood and Stephanie Beatriz being so open and vocal on social media about being bisexual – regardless of who they are dating – helped me understand my own sexuality so much so I will always be grateful to them.
What message or piece of advice do you have for the new generation of LGBTQIA+ Theatre artists?
We need you. We need your voices. Representation is so important. Any spectrum of gender and sexuality you represent, you matter. And you are welcome. If I had more bisexual representation in my world, I would have come out sooner. I only came out about 4 years ago because it took me too long to realize that I belonged, and that I was “bi enough” to own the identity. Now that I am out, I’m so proud to represent a perspective of the pan/bisexual community loudly and proudly.
What’s your favorite part of working in the San Diego Theatre community?
I grew up here in San Diego, and I was on a plane back to San Diego the day after I graduated school. I love that this community feels like a family. Yes, we are sometimes competing for work. But at the end of the day, we support each other and root for each other to succeed. That support and connection is so wonderful.
What are some of the challenges you face as an LGBTQIA+ identifying actor?
Bi erasure is real. We see it all the time in our community, and in LGBTQIA+ representation on stage and on screen. Most of the mainstream plays and musicals with LGBTQIA+ characters are Gay men. Even bisexuality and pansexuality is usually represented by cis males. It is rare to see lesbian representation, and even rarer to see bisexuals, especially female-identifying bisexuals. I really hope that I can help increase local representation as an out and proud bisexual, but I hope that one day I can play bi characters on stage.
Dream role:
Arwen or Galadriel – Lord of the Rings musical (yes it exists, and the music is GORGEOUS).
When I was younger, I had limited my “dream roles” to fat characters. That usually meant being ok with my body being the butt of a joke. Now, I’ve realized that 90% of the characters in plays and musicals don’t have any reason to be thin. Traditional casting methods are so limiting, and often benefit those who are white (I will always own that I have white privilege) and those who are thin. Fat people deserve to play the leads and romantic characters, and to play dynamic roles that aren’t just there for a fat joke. So I refuse to limit my dream roles anymore.
Final thoughts:
As a Theatre professor, I am so inspired and encouraged to see how much more comfortable this younger generation is with exploring gender and sexuality. I am also aware of all those who came before us and helped create a more welcoming world through their bravery. Our community has come so far, and we still have a long way to go.
Xavier Bush: Electric. Grounded. Receptive.
Xavier is a prolific Queer choreographer, director, dancer, singer, and actor wowing audiences throughout Southern California.
Name some of your LGBTQIA+ inspirations/heroes in Theatre.
My favorite musical of all time is called The View Upstairs written by Max Vernon. The show’s original cast had so many queer icons including Billy Porter, Jeremy Pope, and Taylor Frey!
What message or piece of advice do you have for the new generation of LGBTQIA+ Theatre artists?
The advice I have for LGBTQIA+ Theatre artists is to show up as your true self. Don’t try to fit into any molds. You are special for a reason and your light deserves to be seen!
What’s your favorite part of working in the San Diego Theatre community?
My favorite thing about the San Diego Theatre community is how welcoming it’s been since I’ve started working here. They took me in right away and saw me for my full potential rather than feeling like I’m constantly having to prove that I’m good enough.
Dream role:
My dream role is a tie between Wes in The View Upstairs and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.
Berto Fernández: Charismatic. Honest. Present.
Berto is a Gay Puerto Rican actor, singer, writer, teacher, and mixed media artist currently performing all over San Diego.
Name some of your LGBTQIA+ inspirations/heroes in Theatre.
In Theatre, probably Harvey Fierstein. I think he has opened doors for LGBTQIA+ actors to take center stage, but also bringing forward important issues like racism and homophobia to audiences that need to hear this message. Billy Porter also inspires me to be unapologetically me.
What message or piece of advice do you have for the new generation of LGBTQIA+ Theatre artists?
You are enough. You are loved. You are important. Any feelings of doubt, fear, frustration are valid, however they do not define YOU. Welcome all kinds of emotions, they will be your arsenal when you get to play on stage. Be proud of yourself, you’re doing amazing.
What’s your favorite part of working in the San Diego Theatre community?
The San Diego Theatre community welcomed me with open arms, and I will forever be grateful to this entire family of artists. There’s jaw dropping talent here, and it makes sharing the stage with them a true gift.
What are some of the challenges you face as an LGBTQIA+ identifying actor?
I think my size (I proudly stand at 6’5”) plays into certain stereotypes of being a “big strong masculine man”. Type casting was very common when I was auditioning in New York, you would line up and get judged solely on your looks, before you even sing a note! Too tall, too gay, too big. Luckily, we are starting to see more diverse and inclusive casting, which is so important. Representation matters, and we love to see it in our field.
Dream role:
Shrek in Shrek: The Musical, and Edna Turnblad in Hairspray.
Final thoughts:
The World is going through some tumultuous times right now. It’s so important to put our mental health at the forefront. We are emotional beings, with incredible minds that create worlds. Let’s use that power to bring kindness, peace, and joy to our existence. That’s why we do Theatre. To make our audiences feel connected to human stories. It’s such a healing process for both players and spectators.
Sebastian Montenegro: Energetic. Committed. Transformative.
Sebastian is a Colombian Queer actor, singer, and dancer performing all over Southern California, while working as a product development and design creative.
Name some of your LGBTQIA+ inspirations/heroes in Theatre.
Lin Manuel Miranda is a huge inspiration/hero for me. He’s challenged the idea of casting, and even music genre in Musical Theatre. By doing so he’s made our world so much more inclusive.
“Love is love is love is love is love is love is love….” -Lin Manuel Miranda
What message or piece of advice do you have for the new generation of LGBTQIA+ Theatre artists?
Be yourself fully and unapologetically. Don’t ever limit yourself by the idea of what others have told you or by what you’ve seen on stage. Support your fellow Queer artists and lift each other up.
What’s your favorite part of working in the San Diego Theatre community?
It’s a tight knit community of really great and talented people. There’s so many wonderful Theatre opportunities and spaces to explore and to thrive in while being minutes away from the beach!
What are some of the challenges you face as an LGBTQIA+ identifying actor?
I’m naturally Queer and femme and it can be challenging to make people see me in certain roles outside of who I am as a regular person. As the idea of gender gets challenged in society and in Theatre, my idea of what I can and can’t play has been challenged in my mind. I want to see more gender Queer roles written.
Dream roles:
Usnavi in In The Heights (✔), Paul in A Chorus Line, Hamilton in Hamilton, and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.
Final thoughts:
I’d like to see Queer performers and theatre companies lift each other up more. I find that Queer people do tear each other down in theatre due to competition and it can be discouraging.
During this Pride month, take the time to support live Theatre and performance art. LGBTQIA+ members of your community are pouring their hearts into beautiful and impactful work that needs to be heard. The audience is the last character, and perhaps the most important, to complete the cast. So come join the fun, escape your reality for a few hours, and bask in the magic of Theatre.
