ABOUT US
Breaking the Binary Theatre is an Obie Award-winning new work development and community building hub wherein transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ (TNB2S+*) artists come together to reclaim our artistic license and liberty through a number of initiatives, including the yearly all-TNB2S+ Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival each October.
*Breaking the Binary Theatre uses the term “TNB2S+” in hopes to encompass any person who is transgender, non-binary, Two-Spirit, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, agender, intersex, gender expansive, bigender, gender fluid, or any identity within the umbrella transgender community.
TNB2S+ artists have long been misrepresented and underpaid for their work in the American theatre. Breaking the Binary Theatre works to rectify this by holistically centering TNB2S+ artists and compensating all employees and artists equitably, with all wages based upon New York’s Living Wage of $25.65 an hour.
Founded and led by George Strus (they/them), since Breaking the Binary Theatre’s launch in July 2022, the organization has paid out over $300,000 to over 275 TNB2S+ artists (as of 3.31.24).
For a breakdown of Breaking the Binary Theatre’s body of work thus far, click here:
For more information on Breaking the Binary Theatre’s existing new work development and community building initiatives, click here:
George Strus (they/them)
Founding Artistic Director
George Strus (they/them) is a trans non-binary Latiné artist living on the unceded ancestral lands of the Munsee Lenape Nation (colloquially known as New York).
Commercially, they are a proud co-producer of the world premiere production of Stephen Sondheim's final musical, HERE WE ARE. Additionally, they will make their Broadway debut as a co-producer of Rob Madge’s MY SON’S A QUEER (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?) in the spring of 2024.
In addition to their founding of Breaking the Binary Theatre and their freelance producorial and dramaturgical work, they also currently serve as Seasonal Producing Manager at The Public Theater, Producers Cohort Program Facilitator at The Tank, SigSpace Curator/Producer at Signature Theatre, and Theatre Scout at Curate Management.
Previously, they held positions at Second Stage Theater, A3 Artists Agency, Manhattan Theatre Club, The Sol Project, Pride Plays at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Playbill, Stacey Mindich Productions, Alchemation, Telsey + Company Casting, Paper Mill Playhouse, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
www.georgestrus.com / @GeorgeStrus
Bryar Barborka (they/them)
Literary Manager
Bryar Barborka (they/them) is a Chicago-based nonbinary Latine theater artist. They are the Literary Associate at Seven Devils New Play Foundry and the Literary and Casting Associate at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Bryar has also worked with: Second Stage Theater, The Playwrights' Center, Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, Teatro Vista, Definition Theatre, Interrobang Theatre Project, and the Ojai Playwrights Conference among others in various capacities. They are passionate about work that expands theater audiences and reaches those that have historically been left out of the American theatre.
Breaking the Binary Theatre is powered by fiscal sponsor Producer Hub, counseled by their all-TNB2S+ Core Community, and supported by a number of Admin Allies.
Original Web Designer: Jesse Ye (they/them)
Logo Designer: Christopher "Kit" Wallace (he/they)