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being performed and how they may be catalysts for change that he said in a perfect world there would be no need for this festival in 10 years. Moving the festival online, Odsess-Rubin said in closing, offers the opportunity to transform theater, to meet people where they are, instead of clinging to traditional models of how theater is presented. He believes that this form is more impactful for — and appealing to — his generation, refl ecting how they fi nd and consume all types of media. Online, he said, viewers may be able to engage initially in a casual way and gradually be brought into the essence of the work through its presentation and subject matter. “This is a different way people can engage in theater,” Odsess-Rubin said, “and it’s thrilling.” All the events are free and online. The complete schedule is at dixonplace.org/category/ criminal-queerness-festival/. Sign up, and prepare to be challenged intellectually, spiritually, and, of course, theatrically. CRIMINAL QUEERNESS FESTIVAL | Dixon Place on Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube | Free | Through Jun. 28 | Schedule and events at dixonplace. org/category/criminal-queerness-festival/ Playwright Adam A. Elsayigh, whose “Drowning in Cairo” caught Adam Odsess-Rubin’s eye several years ago, is part of this year’s festival again. ➤ CRIMINAL, from p.34 those forums and panels have been broken out into separate events, and anyone with an Internet connection can participate, so the festival can now reach more people around the world who need to know they are not alone and that there is a community of artists that welcomes and celebrates them. Odsess-Rubin is at his most passionate when talking about the power of art as “powerful tool of social change.” At 28, he has a vision of a diverse theater and a belief that “diverse art is richer and more powerful.” In addition, he said, theater needs to be activist and, in light of the current political climate, that activism is more important than ever. He hopes the festival will inspire people to become more activist themselves by fostering understanding of what’s really happening in the world. Pride, he said, is not just about sexy guys in tank tops on fl oats, it’s about resistance and the Stonewall riots. It’s imperative, he insisted, to get back to that revolutionary instinct that has been so transformative in the culture at key moments. Nor does Odsess-Rubin think this is a time for complacency even in places where acceptance of queer life is widespread. It can be dangerous for queer artists to work in public in many countries around the world, but here in the US the community is not necessarily safe. He noted the efforts by the Trump administration to limit gay and trans rights and cited New York State’s loitering for the purpose of prostitution, which is often dubbed the “Walking While Trans” ban because it is so often used to harass transgender people, particularly trans women of color. “America is not so free,” Odsess-Rubin said. “Our rights can be taken away in an instant.” He is such a believer in the power of the pieces WORK FROM HOME, B A N K F R O M H O M E . The Apple logo and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play is a trademark of Google Inc. Get started today! Search NECB-Mobile in the App StoreSM or Google Play. DEPOSIT CHECKS SAFELY AND QUICKLY WITH MOBILE REMOTE DEPOSIT CAPTURE FROM NECB. �� EASY — Use our NECB-Mobile App to make deposits. �� CONVENIENT — No need to leave your home. �� SIMPLE — Deposit with just a few taps and camera clicks. �� SECURE — As safe as online banking. CHELSEA: 242 W. 23RD�� ADDITIONAL OFFICES IN: FORDHAM (Little Italy)�� TH�� LENOX HILL:�� ST�� FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF LOCATIONS AND HOURS, GO TO NECB.COM necb.com ® n e c b . c o m GayCityNews.com | June 18 - June 24, 2020 35 /necb.com /NECB.COM / /GayCityNews.com