Mikki Gillette’s newest play, “American Girl,” tells the tragic, true story of Nikki Kuhnhausen, a trans teen killed in a hate crime in Vancouver, WA in 2019. Based on extensive interviews Gillette did with Kuhnhausen’s family and friends, the play tells an all-too modern American story of addiction, homelessness, domestic abuse, sex work and murder.
Brought to the stage by playwright and Fuse Theatre Ensemble member Gillette, the story captures the real life struggles of our local community. In the tradition of “Boys Don’t Cry” and “The Laramie Project,” Gillette’s play draws on immersive research into a heartbreakingly violent crime to create a moving, unforgettable story.
Produced by Fuse, a paradigm shifting theatre, and directed by Sarah Andrews, the cast includes Naomi Jackson, Maia McCarthy, Peter Schuyler, Milo Vuksinich, Naiya Amilcar and Jenny Tien.
The play runs Thursday, April 6-Sunday, April 30 at Backdoor Theatre, 4319 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Thursday-Saturday shows at 7:30 pm; Sunday shows at 3 pm. Tickets are pay-what-you-will but reservations are requested to secure your seat. Select a performance date at fusetheatreensemble.com/american-girl. A handful of tickets are usually released just before showtime so show up early to try to score one for sold out performances.
Photo: Naomi Jackson selfie as Nikki Kuhnhausen.
