“Weaving a body out of words”:Playwriting strategies for trans-informed research-based theatre

Authors

  • Christina Cook University of British Columbia

Keywords:

Research-based theatre, playwriting, mental health , trans joy, trans studies , trans graduate students

Abstract

This article addresses the question: What are the expansive possibilities offered by a trans-informed Research-based Theatre (RbT) creation framework? Drawing on excerpts from an autoethnographic playscript which centres on my experiences as a graduate student while coming out as a nonbinary trans woman, I explore specific and adaptable strategies for trans-informed RbT playwriting. Playwriting is an essential component of the RbT creation process, and the strategies explored in this article may inform RbT practitioners’ approach in the classroom and beyond.

Author Biography

Christina Cook, University of British Columbia

recently completed her PhD in counselling psychology at the University of British Columbia. She is an arts-based scholar, interdisciplinary theatre artist, and therapist. Her arts-based scholarship and playwriting focus on trans, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming narratives, and her work advocates gender liberation for all. Christina’s previous writing credits include the play Quick Bright Things, which was nominated for a Governor General’s Award. In addition to her artistic work, Christina is a counselling psychologist, and she strives to foster interdisciplinary work born from passionate commitments to mental wellness, advocacy, and collaborative community care.

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Published

2025-05-31

How to Cite

Cook, C. (2025). “Weaving a body out of words”:Playwriting strategies for trans-informed research-based theatre. McGill Journal of Education / Revue Des Sciences De l’éducation De McGill, 59(1), 12–38. Retrieved from https://mje.mcgill.ca/article/view/10255