The Tranny Roadshow is a multimedia performance art extravaganza. It is composed of an eclectic group of artists, each one self-identified as transgender, and includes poets, rappers, filmmakers, storytellers, breakdancers, rock bands, comedians, actors, folk singers, photographers, zinesters, and more. Stationary art (i.e. photography and sculpture) is displayed, but most of the presentation is the live show, a unique variety show where the expression of gender and the expression of self are inseparable. The show is a fluid entity, changing to suit the artists and the crowd, but always it is full of intelligence, fun and humor.

Although the Tranny Roadshow is done entirely by transpeople, it is not exclusively for transpeople. It is a raucous evening of entertainment, open and accessible to people of all backgrounds. Most of us are experienced performers, and while our goals do include challenging people and making them think, our most important goals are to entertain them, make them laugh, and make them dance.

Some pieces of each show focus specifically on gender, but many others do not. All people have multiple identities, which overlap, intertwine and impact each other in different ways. We recognize that our trans identities are singular facets of who we are, and one of the aims of the Tranny Roadshow is to present transpeople as we are - as whole, multi-faceted people. We are not only trannies, we are singers, filmmakers, dancers, writers, jugglers, etc. And our art expresses many things, of which gender is only one. In the show, we present a wide spectrum of gender identities, a brilliant array of living art, and the ties that bind these identities to our artwork and to the world.

Photographs from previous tours are available: 2005 ~ 2006 ~ 2007 ~ 2008 ~ 2009 ~ 2010 ~ 2011
Thanks to everyone who came out and supported us on the road!

Upcoming performances can be found on our schedule page. We are continuing to book shows for the 2011-12 season. If you would like to see the Roadshow come to your town, check out our booking info.

Who is responsible for all this magic? Our awesome staff!

People sometimes ask why we continue to use the word 'Tranny' in the name of our show when it is an uncomfortable word for many transfolk. This zine has been created partially in answer to that question, but it is also meant to serve a larger purpose. One of the goals of the Roadshow is to foster dialog, both within our community and beyond it. We all recognize the language of identity as an important issue and one worth talking about. In fact, we have been talking about it a lot, particularly in this last year. This zine is not meant to provide a definitive answer but to contribute to an ongoing dialog. We welcome all feedback and plan to issue updated zines as the conversation continues. Thanks for engaging!