April 8, 2025
For immediate release
Contact:
Andrew Wood: 415-399-9554 (o) 415-305-1102 (c) [email protected]
Lucho Ramirez: 415-425-0445 [email protected]
Amil Al-Bakari: 707-580-0747 [email protected]
Queer Theatre for a Straight Audience
Australia's Fairly Lucid Productions
Makes US Debut in San Francisco
Calendar Editors Please Note
Who: Fairly Lucid Productions
What: MEMBER
Where: Marsh Studio 1062 Valencia St., SF, CA 94110
Dates: Thu-Fri May 8-9 7:00pm; Sat May 10 6:30pm; Sun May 11 2:30pm
Tickets: Early Bird $20, Advance: $25, Door: $28
Box Office and Information: https://www.sfiaf.org/2025_fairly_lucid_productions or 415-399-9554
LGBTQ+ Artist Panel Discussion
Wed May 7, 6:00pm - Ruth's Table
Sources
Ben Noble Interview with Cat Brooks, Law & Disorder, KPFA.
Ben Noble Interview with Andrew "Boots" Hardy, SFIAF.
Ben Noble Interview with Caitlin Donohue, 48 Hills.
April 8, 2025 San Francisco. Fairly Lucid Productions is a celebrated force in Australia's avant-garde theatre scene. The company pushes boundaries through the work of its Artistic Director, queer artist and playwright Ben Noble. His innovative approach to storytelling redefines the very fabric of performance, offering a raw, emotional experience that engages diverse audiences. With MEMBER, the work that will mark the company's US Debut at the San Francisco International Arts Festival, Noble is making a profound statement about identity, intimacy, and the complexities of the human experience.
At the forefront of this revolution is Noble’s groundbreaking work which masterfully invites straight audiences to engage with queer theatre in ways that are both thought-provoking and deeply personal. Drawing from his own journey as a queer artist, Noble blends his unique storytelling skills with an unflinching look at societal expectations, intimacy, and sexual identity.
“I want to create a space where queer stories aren’t just for a queer audience,” says Noble. “I believe that theatre is for everyone. Straight people often have very little access to queer perspectives, and my work aims to bridge that gap by offering a window into the world that’s often misunderstood or overlooked. It’s important for me to challenge the conventions of what people expect from a show and from themselves as viewers.”
Ben Noble's work is filled with bold narratives that defy traditional structures of storytelling, offering raw depictions of intimacy, vulnerability, and human connection. This new approach allows his audience whether queer or straight to leave with a deeper understanding of both the intricacies of queer life and their own relationships with the world.
A New Era of Inclusivity
Noble’s artistry doesn’t just stop with breaking barriers in content it extends to breaking barriers in who gets to experience it. While many queer performances are often confined to LGBTQ+ spaces, Noble’s work opens the door to a wider audience. His goal is not to merely showcase queer stories, but to make them relatable, universal, and human in their experience. By allowing his straight audience members to see the world through a queer lens, Noble fosters empathy, understanding, and cultural dialogue.
“Queer theatre doesn’t have to be a niche thing,” says Noble. “It’s part of a bigger conversation about inclusivity, humanity, and the diversity of experiences that make us who we are.”
About Ben Noble
Ben Noble is a critically acclaimed playwright, director, and performer whose work has captivated audiences across the United States. Known for his raw, bold, and emotionally resonant storytelling, he challenges audiences to confront complex topics such as identity, intimacy, and human connection. As an artist, Noble has consistently sought to break free of traditional theatre norms, aiming to create work that is both deeply personal and widely accessible.
Through Fairly Lucid Productions, Noble continues to push the boundaries of what queer theatre can be, making space for all voices in an ever-evolving cultural landscape. His work speaks not only to those within the LGBTQ+ community but to anyone willing to listen to the stories that shape us all.
David Wood (Director, MEMBER)
David is a director, facilitator and theatre-maker, and a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He has a particular focus on ensemble-driven work which is queer in both form and content and, as an Ayrshire-born, Glasgow-based artist, he is keen to make work that explores place: both geographically and societally. His recent projects include development of I V Effigy, a solo show exploring legacy, family and queerness, (Overlap Theatre Company); A Ladder to the Stars (Visible Fictions); and Untitled 2009 (Queen Jesus Productions). Directing credits include Once a Catholic (West College Scotland).
About Fairly Lucid Productions
Fairly Lucid Productions is a leading producer of avant-garde theatre, known for its commitment to innovative, inclusive, and thought-provoking works. Under the leadership of Ben Noble, the company has become a hub for queer artists and allies, offering a platform for work that explores themes of identity, love, and connection. Through its productions, Fairly Lucid Productions continues to be a trailblazer in the world of experimental theatre.
Calendar Editors Please Note
Who: Fairly Lucid Productions
What: MEMBER
Where: Marsh Studio 1062 Valencia St., SF, CA 94110
Dates: Thu-Fri May 8-9 7:00pm; Sat May 10 6:30pm; Sun May 11 2:30pm
Tickets: Early Bird $20, Advance: $25, Door: $28
Box Office and Information: https://www.sfiaf.org/2025_fairly_lucid_productions or 415-399-9554
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