Season 2, Episode 6: GEORGE STRUS // ASK ANYWAY
“ I do consider myself an artist as a producer. It’s about matchmaking. It’s about having clarity of vision. It’s about how you navigate people and personalities.” – George Strus
After noticing a major gap in theater initiatives for trans and nonbinary theatermakers, George Strus set out to make a festival to support transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ (TNB2S+) theatermakers. The festival grew into a new work program that soon had an advisory board, partnerships across the country, and turned George into a Broadway producer with a recent credit on Cole Escola’s Oh, Mary! Tune in as host Nicky Maggio chats with George about how BTB came to be, asking for what you need, and producing as an art.
George Strus
George Strus, (they/them) is a Tony Award-nominated and Obie Award-winning Latiné producer and dramaturg based in New York. They founded Breaking the Binary Theatre: a new work development and community building hub for transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ (TNB2S+) theatermakers. Since BTB’s launch in July of 2022, the organization has paid out over $650,000 to over 500 TNB2S+ artists. George is also the Founding CEO of theatrical production company Benson Drive Productions. Projects in development include Amber Ruffin’s BIGFOOT, Stephen Sondheim’s THE FROGS (Off-West End), and more to be announced. Their independent co-producing credits include OH, MARY!, ILLINOISE (Tony nomination), Stephen Sondheim’s HERE WE ARE, ROMEO + JULIET, and more. They were awarded the 2024 Prince Fellowship and are a member of the 2025 Shubert Organization Artistic Circle. www.georgestrus.com
Nicky Maggio
Nicky Maggio or “N” (they/them) currently serves as Programs Manager at A.R.T/New York. N is a freelance theatrical curator with a focus on new play development and directing. Originally born in southeast Massachusetts, Nicky received their B.F.A. at Emerson College and then completed their M.F.A in Directing at The New School. For more information on their artistic projects, visit www.nmaggio.com @nickymaggio
Ashley J. Hicks
Ashley J. Hicks (a.k.a. Ash, she/her) works currently as a Programs Coordinator for A.R.T./New York. Ash is an actor, writer, solo performer & teaching artist. She received her MFA from the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) in 2021 and was a participant in the 2022 Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase. To learn more about Ashley and her past/recent projects, please visit www.ashley-j-hicks.com
Additional Links:
- Breaking the Binary Theatre
- Instagram: @breakingthebinarytheatre
- George Strus
- Williamstown Theatre Festival
- Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
- National Queer Theater
- Manhattan Theatre Club
- Steppenwolf Theatre
“What’s Off?” Production Staff
Erica Wray Barnes, Associate Producer
Ashley J. Hicks and Nicky Maggio, Line Producers
Dante32, Audio Engineer
Devon Adams, Art Director/Graphic Design
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