Mission:

Liberation.

To present liberating art by, for, and about queer and trans people of color that transcends artistic boundaries, celebrates cultural abundance, and dismantles oppression.


We’re raising $35k to celebrate 35 years of TTO!

Dear TTO family,

Queer and trans joy is our birthright. In this time of increased uncertainty and fear, I hope that in this season we all can find belonging through the shared experience of our humanity, and are provided the gifts of warmth, jubilation, and most importantly, unconditional love.

I have been blessed to receive these gifts since my arrival at The Theater Offensive just one year ago. I am proud to carry TTO’S legacy of resilience and activism into the future alongside you, our TTO family.

Join us in protecting queer and trans joy and ensuring that TTO can thrive in its 35th year and beyond.

In these times, it is not a choice.

We simply must.

With love and solidarity,

Giselle K. Byrd

Executive Director, The Theater Offensive

 
 

TTO Cyphers

This is a special offering to our community in celebration of 35 Years of TTO and our future home in The Fenway.

We all know that queer and trans folks make art wherever we are - even a raw, pre-construction theater! While we continue fundraising, we felt it necessary to continue activating our mission "to present liberating art by, for and about queer and trans people of color."

Enter the TTO Cyphers, featuring a few faces you may recognize. First to the stage, Reverend Irene Monroe with a word of inspiration to the tune of the Queer Liberatory Aesthetics we released in 2021.

Take it away, Reverend Irene!

 
 

Credits:

Creative Director: Hakeem Adewumi and Joseph V. Porter

Videographer: Emeline Lotherington

Sound Design: Katye Productions


The Latest

Queering The Screen Presents: Tangerine

In partnership with Coolidge Corner Theatre’s Signature Programming, Queering The Screen returns with a viewing of Tangerine on February 26. Meet us at the Coolidge at 7:00pm!

TTO Presents:

THE BEST PART OF NIGHT IS BLACK, A Black Queer Horror Love Story

The Best Part of Night is Black follows a queer Black couple as they struggle to survive the aftermath of devastating news. When their one-bedroom apartment seemingly becomes haunted, their relationship is put to the test as they live out a tale of grief, loss, and the things no one prepares us for when falling in love.

February 7th and 8th at 7:30 pm | Boston Center for the Arts

*February 8th showtime will feature a Radical Futures event following the performance. More information to come.

Viewer discretion is advised.

2025-2027 Emergent Artist Residency Applications are now open!

The Emergent Artist Residencies will recognize & support the work of two QTPOC artists from September 2025 - June 2027.

2025-2027 True Colors Residency Applications are now open!

True Colors Residency Program, piloted in July 2021, is dedicated solely to queer & trans young artists of color, whose work demonstrates artist merit and inquisitive exploration of their personal queer aesthetics. 


Updates

Letta Neely is Back!

Experience Pulling It All Into the Current, Letta Neely’s new one-woman show for a limited time November 15th, 16th & 17th at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum !

Thank you all for a beautiful weekend of sold out shows!

TTO x Coolidge Corner Theatre

Thank you all for supporting our partnership toward We’re Queering The Screen! This is as a part of Coolidge Corner Theatre’s signature program bringing queer stories to the big screen accompanied by introductions and panel discussions.

TTO Joins Long Wharf Theatre to Co-Produce

Black Trans Women at the Center: A New Play Festival

“TTO acknowledges that Black trans liberation is directly tied to radical collective care and the stewardship of Black trans artists whose work offers dynamic expansion of the performing arts canon." - Giselle Byrd

True Colors Troupe Revamped

True Colors is the longest running LGBTQ youth theater program in the U.S. This term, True Colors Performing Ensemble is back as new year-long program!

💃🏾 We Kicked Off TTO's 35th Pride Season with a bang!

Hosted by Norm Lewis and Neon Calypso, this dazzling evening kicked off TTO’s anniversary pride fundraiser.

Photos by Rodrigo Larios

Giselle Byrd Joins The Theater Offensive as Executive Director

“I’m excited to lead The Theater Offensive on its journey of theater innovation and queer and trans liberation.”

🪩 Queer Prom Was A Blast!

Hosted by Candace Persuasian, Queer Prom was a joyful celebration of queer belonging. Thank you to our community for supporting this inaugural program. Stay tuned for next year!

Photos by Rodrigo Larios

✊🏾 Photos from our Black Legacy Brunch

We invited a few of Boston’s cultural leaders to celebrate Charles D. Evans & Paul Glass!

Photos by Olivia Slaughter

Queer [Re]public Residency Welcomes A New Cohort of Artists

Innovative 22-month program provides queer and trans artists of color with guidance and tools for success.

Experience TTO’s Queer [Re]public: On QTPOC Liberatory Aesthetics

TTO Named Beneficiary of $1M Cultural Investment Grant

This investment from the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture brings TTO closer to its goal of opening their first-ever permanent home. 

TTO Is Building A Queer [Re]public

TTO is Building A Permanent Home in the Fenway. We are excited to launch the public phase of our $20 million campaign to build the Boylston Black Box. Anticipated to open in the Spring of 2024, it will be the largest theater in the world owned and operated by QTPOC for all LGBTQ people, their allies, families and friends.

A Transformative Gift for TTO

With a $3 million transformative gift from Mackenzie Scott and Dan Jewett…


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