I first met Jade Esteban Estrada in New York City when he and I were

celebrity judges (with Michael Musto and Wolfgang Busch) at the Alien Love Ball, a Valentines party that could have only been hatched in the mind of Yolanda, back in 2003. Next, I reviewed his (at that time) current show ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History Of The World Vol. 1, and have had the highest respect for his talent since.

     Jade is a writer/ recording artist/ comedian/ dancer/ choreographer/ director and stage performer that NBC called “America’s Prince of Pride,” and Outlook Weekly called “one of the finest solo theatre artists of the 21st century.” Jade lent his voice to the "Being Out Rocks" (Centaur) compilation CD in 2002, joining such artists as Cyndi Lauper, Sarah McLachlan and Taylor Dayne, and was awarded the Premio Estrella at the 9th Annual Encuentro Awards in Miami for outstanding visibility and achievement in the entertainment industry.

     While still touring with his show "ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World," a one-man show he wrote and starred in, Jade was contacted by The Department of Gender Studies (University of California at Berkeley). They were familiar with his work and thought he was the perfect candidate to bring transgender history to the stage. “I was so honored to be asked,” Jade said in our recent interview, “and writing and performing this show has been an unforgettable experience.”

     In "Transworld! The Transgender History of the World," which first debuted in November 2005, Jade portrays Joan of Arc, We Wah, Gertrude Stein, Sylvia Rivera, Christine Jorgensen, Brandon Teena and RuPaul. Most recently, it received standing ovations at the IFGE TG 2007 convention in Philadelphia and NERP Conference in Cape May, NJ, earlier this year.

     I caught up with Jade recently to discuss the show, its origins and what he has learned from it. Here are some excerpts of our discussion.

Brianna Austin: What inspired you to write "TransWorld?"

Jade Esteban Estrada: The trans community inspired me to write "TransWorld!" Portraying Sylvia Rivera in my show "ICONS," I learned more about her every time I walk onstage because of what she represents to so many different kinds of people. Audiences are not often familiar with who she is but most leave the theatre commenting that she was their favorite. It’s very interesting, I like to meet the fans after the show and [something that had never happened to me in my gay show business life is that] for the first time ever I started to naturally develop a strong, honest connection with the trans community as a result of my portrait of Sylvia. It was so fluid that it almost happened without me noticing.

     More than a few times a trans person has grabbed my hand after the show and said, “thank you for including Sylvia.”

     I was touching upon something deep in some of the audience members and I wasn’t sure what it was, but I knew it had a lot to do with the truth of Sylvia’s life. I lovingly call her the break-out star of "ICONS."

     So when I wrote "TransWorld!" I was thinking of Sylvia as my Lisa Bonet or Kelsey Grammar; someone that needed to leave there current show as a supporting role and be given a leading one. And Sylvia is my leading lady in "Transworld!," although, she gets some serious competition with Christine Jorgensen, who also was an incredible human being. She’s one of my all-time favorite roles.

BA: What has been the most unexpected surprise from doing the play?

JEE: I think the most unexpected surprise has been the genuine interest from the non-trans community. When you enter my theatrical world, I hope that my respect for the trans experience is contagious. It’s hard to criticize someone with true conviction and self-worth. "TransWorld!" is seven stories of strength.

BA: How do you relate to trans people?

JEE: For me that’s a very broad question and I’m going to tell you why. In social circles, they are my friends. In the academic and political activist world, I tend to listen more when I’m with them because I am cautious about not hindering my own education about the community I am working to represent. They relay a perspective I have not experienced.

     Because I play both male and female characters in my work, I have had people refer to me as “she” when I’m in traditionally male attire and no make up. I never correct them because although it is important to let people know how you want to be addressed, I also think there is a lot to be said for how people perceive you. When I read online once that “the transgendered performance artist Jade Esteban Estrada was coming to town” I just said to myself…”hmm…that’s interesting.”

     There are no absolutes in this world. That’s what my dear friends in this community have taught me. They’ve taught me to listen more acutely.

     I relate to them with respect and gratitude. I believe they are people the world has a lot to learn from about life, love and dedication.

BA: What have you learned from "TransWorld!" that you previously didn't know about the trans community?

JEE: I’ve learned that trans people have a great deal of strength, courage and dignity. They don’t hide from themselves or other people and you have to -- regardless of where you are coming from -- respect that innately, I believe.

     There is also the lesson of gender and sexuality. That should be as important as the separation of church and state.

BA: What's next for Jade?

JEE: “Impersonating Sappho” is a collection of stories I’m writing from my days on the road touring "ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 1." I’ve got some good stories to share. A large part of the book will be devoted to my growing admiration for Sylvia, Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein and of course, Sappho.

     I would like to continue my journey through transexuality and its history. I’m also interested in entering the theatrical world of intersexual exploration.

BA: Jade, Thanks for taking the time out of your touring schedule for this interview, and all the best of success going forward.

JEE: It's been my pleasure, thank you.

     If you would like to see Jade live, check his touring schedule.

 

©2007 TG Life