The Conquering Queer Child : Invading Heterotopic Spaces in Queer Theatre by Young Audiences

ISBN-13: 9783659929434 / Angielski / Miękka / 2016 / 76 str.

Lindsay Amer

Opis

Queer topics are still taboo in cultural products for young people despite increasing representation of LGBTQ+ stories in popular culture and the recent legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States. This book explores ways in which theatre artists and creators could represent queer topics to young people without facing controversy. Using Kathryn Bond Stockton's theory of the queer child, this book establishes that all children are queer and that this queerness should be reflected within their cultural products. Stockton's theory joins those of theatre scholar Matthew Reason who claims that theatre for young audiences (by adults) is impossible. This impossibility leads to the conclusion that theatre for young audiences cannot reflect the queer child without facing resistance from heteronormative thought within schools defined by Foucault's heterotopic relational space. Barrel of Monkey's ensemble in Chicago, IL circumnavigates this rejection by allowing the queer child to create their own stories, paving the way for other mediums to truly reflect the queer child, by positioning the child as both creator and spectators.

O autorze

Lindsay is an artist and academic specializing in queer media for young people. She holds a BS in Theatre and Gender Studies from Northwestern University and an MA in Theatre and Performances Studies from Queen Mary University of London. She serves as Co-Artistic Director of Bluelaces Theater Company and as Creator and Host of Queer Kid Stuff.