Written by Alyssa Simon
Actress, producer and musician Trace Lysette, known for her recurring role as Shea in all five seasons of Amazon’s “Transparent,” and by appearing alongside Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu in “Hustlers,” takes her career to a new level with a heart—a starring role in the titled Venice Contest. “Monica”.
• What drew you to this project? What caught my attention the most were the global themes. Many people can relate to loved ones who are nearing the end of this material life. Also, just the fact that families in general go through a lot together. There are relationship tensions, drama, humor, sadness… all of those things. This movie just happens to put a trans woman in the middle of it all and see it through her eyes. Which unfortunately is extremely rare and probably unheard of in the movie.
• What speaks to you the most about Monis? Its quiet power. I think a lot of trans women (and I use that word on purpose) have had to be strong while we wait for the world to catch up.
I think what’s so special about the transgender experience is that she had to do a lot of spotting on her own. At least for the transgender women of my generation, we haven’t had a roadmap and oftentimes we don’t provide much support. I remember being in NYC alone and poor as an all-knowing young adult. This in itself is hard enough as a small person but adding a mutant identity on top of it is really hard. I think Monica struggles with self-esteem, not because that’s an innate thing but because that’s how the world makes her feel.
• What’s next for you as a performer? I hope then to find more freedom in the jobs that come my way. I hope the industry sees that I can lead and/or be a strong supporting character with actors of a certain stature. When I studied acting in New York City, I had to play such a wide range of roles and often had nothing to do with being trans. Don’t get me wrong, I love playing trans characters, and I don’t want to be trapped.
• What would your dream role be? This question comes up about the role of the dream quite often. I don’t want to limit myself here, but there are plenty of trans women throughout history who deserve to tell their story. Kristen Jorgensen, April Ashley, Cuccinell, Alicia Brevard…the women of the Vinocchio bar in San Francisco, the ladies of Bell Box Review, the trans women who fought in the Compton Cafeteria riots in 1967, the list goes on. Outside of transgender stories, but in the context of a biography, I’m a huge Teena Marie fan. I would like to bring her story to life someday…how she changed the rights of musicians in business through Brockert’s initiative and her unique life in general. And being an athlete, I would very much like to explore the world of movement as well.
• As a recording artist, do you have some new tracks ready? Yes really. Music was a nice haven for me, or an extra creative avenue, I should say. I have a summer love song called “Red Line”. I also have another song released by Nomi Ruiz called “Hi Def Femme”. I’m looking forward to booking my second official music for the Riot Party in San Francisco, it’s a Transgender District fundraiser. I think it’s so amazing that a place like this exists.
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