Performances kick off June 7 in Williamsburg for the first Trans Theatre Festival at The Brick Theatre. The Brooklyn venue has partnered with co-curators MJ Kaufman and Maybe Burke to launch the inaugural event, made up of new plays, a musical, panel discussions, dance pieces, film and other media created by trans artists in celebration of their experiences.

The festival runs through June 26.

Who’s Next: Michael Gardner, Artistic Director of The Brick — Trans Theatre Festival

“There is a high visibility of a few specific trans stories and that makes it seem like trans identity is a new, hot thing,” Kaufman told Playbill last month. “Actually, trans people have always been here and are a huge and valuable part of theatre and art-making communities. This festival honors that.”

What It Means to Be Trans in the Theatre

The festival offers a chance for trans artists to take control of their own stories and also gives them an opportunity to branch out beyond the oft-seen “transition narrative.”

“Though that’s an important story to tell, it seems to be the only story that is being told,” says Burke. “I was much more interested in seeing other perspectives and other things about trans people’s lives.”

For the complete line-up of new works and events, visit bricktheater.com.

The Brick is located at 579 Metropolitan Avenue (between Union Avenue and Lorimer Street) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

(Updated June 7, 2016)