Panelists for Prelude to a Gaybaret

by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma

Five panelists — Jami Sieber, Latosha Correll, Leo MacLeod, Matt Baume, and Timothy White Eagle — will discuss the art of transformation: how art helps us know ourselves more fully; how rituals like a marriage or theater offer possibilities of healing; and how we make sense of historical change in our own lives, acknowledging both the curses and blessings of the past.

“Prelude to a Gaybaret” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at Kay White Hall. Tickets are free for youth age 18 and under, with a suggested donation of $10 for adults. All proceeds benefit the Vashon Heritage Museum.

Panelist Bios:
Matt Baume is a writer, podcaster, and video-maker whose work focuses on queer culture, geeks, and all things strange and wonderful. He’s the co-creator of the podcast and live show “Queens of Adventure,” featuring drag queens playing Dungeons & Dragons; the LGBTQ interview show “The Sewers of Paris;” the YouTube pop-culture series “Culture Cruise;” and the LGBTQ news show “Weekly Debrief.” His book, Defining Marriage, chronicles the personal stories of people who fought for marriage equality over the last 40 years. He lives in Seattle with his partner James, and too many plants.

Latosha Correll is passionate about building community through the arts as well as creating and supporting sustainable, positive, and innovative solutions to issues facing LGBTQ+ community members and their families. In 2016, Latosha co-founded Mistresspiece Theater, a LGBTQ-centered community performing arts organization focused on supporting women and the LGBTQ community with opportunities in all theater disciplines. In April of 2017, she started volunteering with the City of Seattle’s LGBTQ Commission and was appointed to serve as a Commissioner in July 2017. Since June of 2018, she has been volunteering with Washington Technology Industry Association’s Ion Collaborator program. The group brings tech, government, and non-profits together to address community challenges. Currently, Latosha focuses her time working with the Alphabet Alliance of Color, an alliance of Queer & Trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Color organizations and individuals. Today, Mistresspiece Theater is working on a devised script focused on Trans issues and Women themes.

Timothy White Eagle was born in Tucson, AZ. His mother was White Mountain Apache. He was given up for adoption at birth and raised by a working-class white family in Washington state. He graduated from University of Utah with a BFA in Theater. White Eagle has worked extensively in the past two and a half decades exploring Native American, Pagan, and other earth-based Spiritual practices. In 1995, he began an ongoing mentor/protege relationship with Shoshone Elder Clyde Hall. In 2006, White Eagle began collaborating with photographer Adrain Chesser. Their work together has been displayed and published nationally and internationally, including their book, The Return. He dances at a unique cross road between art and ritual. In 2015, he was the indigenous advisor for Taylor Mac during the creation of “A 24-Decade History.” In 2016, White Eagle was one of the Dandy Minions in the 24-hour marathon performance of “A 24-Decade History” performed in New York City and has been on tour nationally and internationally with Taylor Mac as the Artistic Director for the Dandy Minions.

Leo MacLeod has lived on Vashon Island all his life. He currently attends the University of Washington and is working on a dual major in Marine Biology and Oceanography. He is a deeply committed student leader whose passion for social justice, activism, and education are foundational aspects of his life. He plans to use his experience in these areas to support queer individuals within STEM and make science more accessible for everyone. Leo was instrumental in the efforts of the Queer Spectrum Alliance in establishing a gender-neutral bathroom at Vashon High School.

Jami Sieber is an electric cellist, vocalist, composer and celebrated pioneer of her instrument with an inspiring and fearless style of performance that has been recognized internationally. Sieber creates her own kind of world music, boasting immediate emotional impact and conveying a visionary presence that goes beyond the gorgeous melodies and tribal rhythms. Her life-long commitment to the environment, social justice, and the healing arts is at the heart of her music, reflecting a deep dedication to the arts as a medium to express the interconnectedness of all beings. Since launching her solo career in 1994, she has performed her original compositions around the world, diving into dynamic collaborations with an extraordinary spectrum of dancers, actors, poets, visual artists, improvisers, vocalists, and instrumentalists. She has been commissioned to compose for film, and her compositions have been used in the popular video game Braid. Sieber has independently produced eight recordings on her label Out Front Music.

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