Episode #40
“Queerness in Musical Theater”
In this episode, Jennifer talks to Andrea Prestinario about queerness in musical theater. Andrea shares her journey as a queer performer & producer and what lead her to co-found Ring of Keys, a nonprofit artist service organization for queer and trans artists in musical theatre. They talk about the need for queer visibility and representation, creating change even if it takes time, and what it means to lead by example & trust your intuition.
About Our Guest
Andrea Prestinario is a queer award-winning performer and producer who has worked at 20+ theatres throughout the country over the last 15 years, including NYTW, Asolo Rep, American Conservatory Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Lyric Opera Chicago, Gulfshore Playhouse, Writers’ Theatre, York Theatre, and more. Favorite roles include Alison in Fun Home (Baltimore Center Stage), Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls; (Weston Playhouse), Eliza in My Fair Lady; Maureen in RENT (Paramount Theatre), Martha in 1776 (Asolo Rep), and Louise in Gypsy (Drury Lane Oakbrook). She received a Jeff Award for her work as Violet in Side Show (Boho Theatre). A graduate of Ball State University and The School at Steppenwolf, she is also the Co-Founder of Ring of Keys: a nonprofit artist service organization for queer and trans artists in musical theatre. She created RoK’s signature programming: Queering the Canon: A Concert Series which she produced in addition to producing other concerts for the org (Joe’s Pub, Birdland). She produced/conceived her solo show sMOkeyTOWN: The Songs of Smokey Robinson which played throughout NYC (54Below, Laurie Beechman) and Chicago.
