When these were taken I clashed with Nakai Theatre’s photographer Omaar Reyna because I didn’t want to be photographed without a flash (which glamourizes its subject by blowing out details and flaws with light). But, now I love the production shots from the Yukon production of The Silicone Diaries. Taken in the stage’s light without any digital manipulation, I think these images reveal signs of my body’s disparate flesh and silicone, my masculine and feminine features, as well as strength, fragility, strain, 36 years of age, flaws and beauty.

The Nakai Theatre production of The Silicone Diaries enjoyed sold out shows at the Nakai Theatre’s Pivot Festival in Whitehorse, Yukon (Jan 28, 29, 30). Thanks to Artistic Director David Skelton and everyone at Nakai who helped make this a venture a success! I had a blast!

story by Jerome Stuert
originally published in Whats’Up Yukon, Jan 28, 2010
http://www.whatsupyukon.com/index.php/2010-01-26-22-30-28

Nina Arsenault warns me that she’s not about to tell the “typical” transsexual story to Nakai Theatre’s Pivot Festival audiences.

You know the story, she says, “Her name is Barbara, she used to be Markus, she never felt right in her own body, she met a doctor and now she’s getting boobs. It’s the same thing over and over.”

The problem is not in the “trannie” telling the story, she tells me, it’s the reporters, the media, the way they want to streamline every transsexual story the same. It’s the facts they want to give an audience. So, she’s glad when I tell her that she and I are just having a conversation and that it can go where she likes.

Arsenault likes writing her own message in this one-woman show: “I’m interested in art and discourse. I want to go beyond the thing [transsexualism] itself. It’s time for the discourse to progress.” Yes, there´s more…. »

David: I am so thrilled that Nina Arsenault`s show The Silicone Diaries is coming to the Pivot. It just opened at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre to rave reviews.

Chartreuse: The queer crowd really loved it?

David: Of course. But anyone, no matter which way they swing, will find it inspiring. It`s about her journey from being a man to becoming a woman. She defines her identity with her body, using 60 surgeries and countless illegal silicone injections to achieve physical perfection and spiritual balance.

Chartreuse: Heavy.

David: Powerful. But she`s hilarious.

Chartreuse: Is she cute?

David: Very.

from: http://nakaitheatre.wordpress.com/this_season/pivot-festival/

The Silicone Diaries appears at the Nakai Theatre’s Pivot Festival Jan 28, 29 and 30.

This event will be happening after my final performance of The Silicone Diaries in Whitehorse.

Afterhour with NINA ARSENAULT (Hosted by Jozeph Tisiga)

Nina will be interviewed about her artistic process and other aspects of her work.
A benefit for GALA Yukon
9:00PM——–
$5.00 cover
HENRIETTE’S TAVERNE
4121 Fourth Avenue
Whitehorse, Yukon

a video trailer for my one woman play The Silicone Diaries…