Opening September 16th, and running to the 22nd, transgender artist Sunny Drake’s one-man show X will launch Third Street Theatre’s exciting 2014/15 season of performance art.

The show, which is said to offer both an honest and magical look at addiction, sexuality and gender identity, uses a creative melange of puppetry, projection animation and ‘sharp live performance’ to tell its story. This run in Calgary will mark its first time being produced by an exclusively queer theatre company.

"Sunny actually contacted us via email last fall and pitched a couple of his shows to us; we selected X," says Third Street’s Artistic Director Jonathan Brower. "...scripts and promotional videos are always coming to my inbox but Sunny’s stuck out to us because it was so different from anything our Third Street audiences have seen."

The company drew up a letter of support in Drake’s pursuit of grants and he was awarded the funding.

"I am really thrilled to be doing work that is presented specifically by a queer theatre company," Drake said in a Third Street press release. "As much as I absolutely love non-queer presenters presenting my work, there is definitely something very special to entrust my work into the hands of queer theatre presenters."

Brower shares this enthusiasm.

"...when someone can meld such honesty about addiction and weave in humour and characters that we care about, all the while wielding realistic puppets and bouncing around the stage singing Kylie Minogue with youthful spunk, anyone would be missing out by skipping X ," Brower states. "Certainly I have never seen an artist tackle a subject like this with dignity and humour while succeeding in brilliant design, while avoiding the stigma of an issue play. And I was definitely on board with supporting a transgender artist with an international perspective that could give our audiences a greater scope of understanding about addiction... as Sunny wrote X  while still living in Brisbane."

Though previously of Australia, Blake now calls Canada home and is receiving a host of accolades here for his work. X comes to Calgary following a cross-country tour.

"...it’s important for our community to hear international voices and broaden our perspective because there is commonality amongst us all," says the company’s Artistic Associate Alyssa Bradac. "X is a bold, creative and fresh look at issues that affect our community – internationally."

Drake will be available for two workshops on Sunday, September 21st hosted by Third Street and Hillhurst United Church. Sunny Drake: Trans 101 (1pm to 3pm), explores different trans concepts, the diversity within trans communities, and will discuss how everyone has a benefitting role in trans liberation. All are welcome, and admission is free.

Telling Your Story (3:30pm to 5:30pm) is a hands-on workshop, offering attendees the opportunity to write or perform pieces drawn from one’s own real or fictionalized experience. No previous experience is necessary to attend; suggested donation is $25.

Tickets to X are $20-$25, but should you be interested in also seeing February’s Ludwig&Lohengrin consider opting in for a flex pass ($45 for adults, $35 for students and seniors). A special matinee held on closing day will also include an American Sign Language interpreter, and all performances are wheelchair accessible.