Ring of Keys

Ring of Keys is a 501(c)3 nonprofit artist service organization that fosters community and visibility We represent 500+ individuals in 40 U.S.

The only organization of its kind, our community is made up of actors, directors, dancers, singers, stage managers, lighting designers, dramaturgs, artistic directors, producers, casting directors, librettists, lyricists, composers, props designers, scenic designers, sound designers, choreographers, costume designers, and production managers who self-identify as le***an, bisexual, trans, q***r, fe

mme, masc, non-binary, and the diversity of genders that q***rness contains. cities, Toronto, and London. We strive to kick (ball-change) the closet door open to create a vibrant, diverse musical theatre landscape for the future. By providing community outreach to advocate for and amplify these artists and widening the public’s engagement with and education about q***r stories, Ring of Keys q***rs the stage to create a more inclusive musical theatre landscape for all. We elevate the work of our “Keys” through showcases, our social media platforms, and our monthly newsletter. We provide a visible, supportive community through our initiatives, with a focus on concerts, workshop programming, networking events, job-sharing, and monthly meet-ups. Believing that our diversity is an asset that we bring to the industry, we collaborate with arts organizations and community partners to mobilize and advance the musical theatre landscape and q***r the stage.

06/25/2026

Ring of Keys' Board of Directors plays a vital role in supporting our mission to uplift q***r women, transgender, and nonbinary artists in theatre. From expanding our programming to strengthening our community, this work is executed by dedicated people who believe in a more inclusive and representative theatre industry.

We're currently looking for individuals interested in Board stewardship to join this incredible group of professionals! We’re especially seeking individuals with experience in legal services, nonprofit fundraising, and web development, but if you’re passionate about supporting q***r and trans artists, we want to hear from you! 👋

✨ Email our Board for more information: [email protected]

12/02/2025

Championing q***r and trans stories has never been more vital, and we need your help! This Giving Tuesday, consider donating to Ring of Keys. Your gift makes it possible for q***r and trans artists to access community, resources, and space to create meaningful new work. 🔑

Theatre that centers q***r and trans stories can inspire change in the world we live in. By supporting Ring of Keys, you’re investing in a growing community of over 1,000 q***r and trans artists, as well as helping shape a more inclusive theatre landscape. 🎭

💛 Donate here: ringofkeys.org/donate

📸 Photography by Shani Hadjian Photography

09/24/2025

Join Ring of Keys at Playwrights Horizons on October 4 for a free night of theatre and community for Keys! Check your emails for the promo code and snag your free tickets to NOTHING CAN TAKE YOU FROM THE HAND OF GOD by Jen Tullock, at Playwright's Horizons, October 2-26. 💙

And thank you to our friends at Playwrights for their continued partnership! 🩷

Tip: The show might say sold out, but once the promo is applied, seats should open up to reserve. If not, then it truly is sold out.

🎟️ Ticket link: https://bit.ly/4nMJNwf

08/19/2025

We want to promote the performances and job opportunities that serve and amplify our database of q***r women, transgender, and nonbinary theatre artists! 📣🔑

Are you a Key and want your latest show to be amplified? Are you looking to hire some q***r artists for your next reading and want to post your casting breakdown? Fill out the Key News Form in our bio, and we'll do our best to include your content in our upcoming monthly newsletter, social posts, and/or stories.

🔗 Key News Submission Form: https://forms.gle/uTHC3mjzvAzLpz8r7

***rartists

07/03/2025

At our gala in March, Q***ring the Canon: A Retrospective, we announced that we would be recording a live album of that evening—and we've got a launch date for the album release!

Q***ring the Canon: Live at Joe's Pub will be released July 15th on all streaming platforms worldwide! This is the inaugural album release of Ring of Keys Records. 🔑

To commemorate this event, we are having an Album Release party on Tuesday, July 15th, from 6-8pm at the Lobby. No RSVP necessary. All are welcome! Come join the celebration!

The 14-track live album features seven new songs in response to seven canonical tunes, written by Ring of Keys songwriters Joanna Burns, Andi Lee Carter, Lucier&Rose, Lindsey Augusta Mercer, Zeniba Now, Rodney Bush, Anessa Marie Scolpini, and Pearl Rhein.

The live album features performances by Klea Blackhurst, Grant Evan, Esther Fallick, Samy Figaredo, Natalie Joy Johnson, Jade Jones, Jari Billie Sadé Jones, Petralina Lambert, Tomás Matos, Madison McBride, Jade McLeod, Sushma Saha, and Murphy Taylor Smith.

The live album is co-produced by Lucier&Rose and Andrea Prestinario. Mixing Engineer is Meghan Rose. Original concert musical direction by Dionne McClain-Freeney with additional orchestrations by Emily "Freddie" Fredrickson. The band includes Will Shishmanian on guitar, Magda Kress on bass, and Kendall Perry on drums. Direction by S.C. Lucier. Casting by Charlie Hano, CSA.

***ringthecanon

07/01/2025

Featuring an entirely transmasc cast, band, creative team, and ASL interpreter team, LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS: A TRANSMASC CABARET showcases original work by transmasc writers alongside songs you already know and love!

Jonice Bernard, Thani Brant, Lyam B Gabel, Charlie Hano, Max Raymond, Sushma Saha, and Will Shishmanian—we love to see our trans masc Keys representing! 🔑

Now in its second year following a smash-hit inaugural 2024 production, Let’s Hear it For the Boys 2025 will be held on Saturday, July 5th, at 9:30 PM ET at The Green Room 42 in NYC—and will also be available to watch from anywhere via ticketed livestream. Don't miss it and grab your ticket today! http://tinyurl.com/LHIFTBtix

DM us on Instagram for a discount code! 💌

TGR42 is wheelchair accessible. ASL interpretation will be provided. No food or drink purchase minimum.

06/24/2025

Join Ring of Keys for a night of theatre at frikiNation—a historical, bilingual, Cuban punk rock jukebox musical, produced by our friends at National Q***r Theater and Musical Theatre Factory, and being performed at HERE Arts Center as a part of NQT's Criminal Q***rness Festival. 🩷

There will be mingling and drinks for purchase before the show—and after the show will be a Q***r Open Mic Night! 🎤 Sign up beforehand through the link in our bio. The theme of the open mic night is Bien Friki - Songs of Resistance and Liberation. 💥

There was a code shared in our most recent newsletter for 20% off tickets, with a total cost of >$23 per ticket, but if you need help accessing, comment below and we'll DM you! 💌

Tickets: https://www.nationalq***rtheater.org/cqf2025
Open Mic: https://forms.gle/iMuTTc1MtYpRb86n9

***rcommunity ***rtheatre ***rmusicaltheatre ***rnessfestival

06/14/2025

You still have two more chances to see My Son’s A Q***r (But What Can you Do?) at New York City Center—tonight at 8 PM and tomorrow at 2 PM. Be sure to use code ROK15, and 10% of ticket proceeds will be donated back to Ring of Keys. 🔑

Support q***r theatre by seeing some incredible q***r theatre! ✨ Huge shoutout to Key, Julianne B. Merrill, who is music directing the show. Congrats, Julianne! 🎹

Ticket link here: https://www.nycitycenter.org/pdps/2024-2025/my-sons-a-q***r-but-what-can-you-do/

***rtheatre

04/12/2025

🍎 TICKET GIVEAWAY! 🚨⚡
We’re giving away TWO pairs of tickets to AMBERLAND In Concert, happening tomorrow—Sunday, April 13 at 2 PM—at the Baruch Performing Arts Center! 🎭

To enter:
🍏 Share this post to your story
🍏 Comment below with your favorite gay bar
🍏 Tag someone who loves q***r theatre

Winners will be selected and DMed this evening! ⏰

Amberland is a new folk musical about identity, self-love, and chosen family — featuring an all-q***r cast, band, and creative team. 🌈💫 Presented by Ring of Keys as a part of Prospect Musicals’ IGNITE Festival.

***rTheatre

04/11/2025

The incredible all-q***r creative team behind AMBERLAND. Get your tickets for Sunday, April 13 at 2 PM! 🍎🎟️

🎭 Director: Tẹmídayọ Amay (they/he) 🔑
🎶 Music Director: Katie-James Rushin (he/she)
✍️ Writer: Will Shishmanian (he/him) 🔑
🎧 Stage Manager: Sarah Jones (she/they) 🔑
🛠️ Producer: Jess Ducey (they/them) 🔑

✨ AMBERLAND is an original folk musical and identity and self-love. Mark Howard moves from his family’s farm to the rural, upstate town of Amberland in search of a new kind of family, after his hometown has mixed reactions to his transition. He picks up a position as a laborer at Amberland’s local orchard and befriends Dani Thompson, a q***r woman who’s opening the county’s first LGBTQ bar. As tensions in the community rise, he grapples with blending in with the crowd or connecting with q***r community for the first time in his life. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

This marks the beginning of a new era of Ring of Keys producing more q***r and trans theatre. We’re thrilled to be working in partnership with Prospect Musicals and to be a part of their IGNITE Festival and closing the festival with AMBERLAND In Concert!💥

🔗 Ticketing information available in bio!

Address

E 25th St Between Third & Lexington Avenues
New York, NY
10010

Website

https://www.ringofkeys.org/

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