Arts & Entertainment
Queery: Collin Ranney
The ‘Best Little Whorehouse’ set designer answers 20 gay questions
Collin Ranney (Blade photo by Michael Key)
Now that he’s done with his master’s program in theater design from University of Maryland, Collin Ranney is “giving D.C. a year.”
As a freelance designer — he designs sets and costumes — it’s “a little scary” but also, he says, “definitely doable.”
One of his first post-school gigs, Signature Theatre’s “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” opened in previews this week, a show he began designing back in March. He’s in meetings now at Studio Theatre for upcoming show “The Invisible Man.”
“I think it’s the element of escape,” he says of his career choice. “Being able to go other places whether it’s literally, figuratively or emotionally. Not that my life is horrible and I’m trying to get away from it, but that element of being able to let myself go somewhere for a few hours in a dark room is great.”
The 25-year-old Buffalo, N.Y., native was a performer in high school and college but eventually moved more into design work. He still sometimes performs as his drag alter ego Birdie LaCage or sometimes sings karaoke out with friends, but professionally he’s content working behind the scenes for now.
He and his boyfriend of a year and a half, Michael Armstrong, live together in Logan Circle. Ranney’s hobbies are inextricably tied to his work — scale models, drawing, shopping, making headdresses, drafting and sewing. Though he does enjoy going out with friends, dancing and show tunes nights at JR.’s for fun. (Blade photo by Michael Key)
How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?
Coming out was a process for me over a course of a few years. The hardest person to tell was certainly my younger brother. For a while, I felt as though I would somehow disappoint him and suddenly become less of what he had always looked up to his whole life. Eventually, I realized that my being gay was a part of what he had always looked up to.
Who’s your LGBT hero?
I find “hero” to be such a strong word. I don’t know that I would categorize any one person as my hero, but I am grateful to all the gay men who have come before me and my generation. They have allowed being gay to be a norm today.
What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?
Town. I love having the option of hanging out or chilling with friends in the quiet room, to dancing on the floor (and sometimes the boxes), to catching up with my favorite queens.
Describe your dream wedding.
Liza Minnelli and swans on a rooftop at night!
What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about?
No rhinestone left behind! And of course, Elaine Barrish for president (If you don’t get that reference, watch “Political Animals” — it’s brilliant!)
What historical outcome would you change?
Changing history seems like it would cause quite the domino effect on everything that came after, but I still would have taken those damn pills away from Judy Garland before she overdosed!
What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?
When Cher ended her farewell tour. And of course when Tom Cruise came out —oh wait, did that happen yet?
On what do you insist?
Laughter. Oh, and feathers and rhinestones!
What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?
“Whoring it up over at Signature. Make sure to come see the show next week. Scenic design by yours truly.”
If your life were a book, what would the title be?
I joke about this often actually, and being a Type I Diabetic, I would say: “Where’s My Glucometer? The Life and Times of Collin Ranney.”
If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?
Me personally? Nothing. But I think it should be required for everyone to get a day pass to experience the other side.
What do you believe in beyond the physical world?
There’s something beyond the physical world?
What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?
Dress better.
What would you walk across hot coals for?
That depends on how bad this side of the coals is — I like my feet.
What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?
That there’s such a thing as “tops” and “bottoms.” Versatility makes the world go ‘round.
What’s your favorite LGBT movie?
“Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.” How can one not adore that movie?
What’s the most overrated social custom?
Currently? Grindr. Show your faces (even if it means putting on some make-up) and get to the bar, boys! You can still show your torsos there, just wear a nice deep V.
What trophy or prize do you most covet?
Hmm. The Tony Award feels obvious, but it’d be nice. Though I don’t feel I need one to quantify my art, it would be nice.
What do you wish you’d known at 18?
To write everything down. It’s going to be hard to remember it all when it comes time to make my Lifetime Original Movie.
Why Washington?
Because for me, it’s where I’ve grown beyond childhood. It’s where I’ve found people, other than my family, whom I love. It’s where my career has inevitably begun and where I feel part of a community.
Theater
‘The Inheritance’ is most-nominated at this year’s Helen Hayes Awards
42nd annual celebration of excellence in local theater set for May 18
Helen Hayes Awards 2026
May 18, 2026
For tickets go to theatrewashington.org
Last year, when out director Tom Story took on the daunting task of directing Round House Theatre’s production of “The Inheritance, Parts One and Two,” he knew that casting would be important, maybe even paramount, to the endeavor’s success. So, Story didn’t mess around.
Penned by queer playwright Matthew López, “The Inheritance” (inspired by E.M. Forster’s 1910 novel “Howards End”) is based on gay culture in the wake of the AIDS crisis.
Story looked at actors he knew, and some he didn’t. He wanted low drama and maybe players who could relate to the LGBTQ experience. In the end, the production’s 13-person cast was entirely queer except for brilliant local favorite Nancy Robinette as Margaret, the wise housekeeper.
Clearly, Story’s vision resonated with audiences. Round House’s production of “The Inheritance” is the most-nominated work of this year’s Helen Hayes Awards, earning 14 nominations. It’s also one of Round House’s highest grossing popular successes ever.
The queer cast members whose ages ranged from about 22 to 60, worked hard and enjoyed the process, and along the way garnered an Outstanding Ensemble in a Play (Hayes) nomination for their efforts.
The ensemble included Jamar Jones as Tristan, a brilliant doctor who leaves New York for Canada after deciding there’s no place for a gay, HIV-positive Black man in America. For the experienced actor, being part of “The Inheritance” was profound: “I think it was a divinely orchestrated production.”
He adds “I really feel that it’s so rare that you get to work on a show of that magnitude…size, time, where virtual strangers genuinely fell into rhythm. We became a cohort. I never felt a sense of unease, or reluctance to try things. I could be as big or bold as I wanted to be; or I could be small. Fail, mess up, try again. I didn’t feel judged.”
Jones considers Richmond his home, but says “I’m based where the work is.” Currently, he’s back at Round House rehearsing “Sally & Tom” (May 27-June28), a play within a play/meta exploration of the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings by Suzan-Lori Parks.
Jones plays both a contemporary violinist and an enslaved fiddler, parts that have required him to learn to “air fiddle.” He’s all over it: “I want to represent the art and to be as precise as possible. Taught by an instructor, I’ve made strides with movement of the bow; next up is finger placement.”
Will he leave the play a violinist? “I’ll report back on closing night. Maybe I will have added something to the special skills list on my resume.”
For about a decade, Jones worked in living history, interpreting, performing, and writing pieces about the enslaved people of Colonial Virginia. Among the many historical characters he portrayed was Jupiter (Thomas Jefferson’s longtime enslaved manservant), an experience that’s proved a connection and preparation for his current role.
The 42nd Helen Hayes Awards celebration recognizing excellence in professional theater in the DMV will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026 at The Anthem on the District Wharf in Washington, D.C. Named for Helen Hayes, the legendary first lady of Broadway, the program consists of the awards presentation hosted by Felicia Curry, Awa Sal Secka, and Derrick Truby, followed by an after-party at nearby Whitlow’s.
With works selected from 149 eligible productions presented in the 2025 calendar year, nominations were made in 41 categories and grouped as either “Helen” (non-Equity/small Equity presence) or “Hayes” (Equity-heavy).
The many nominations are the result of 49 vetted judges considering 1,997 pieces of work, such as design, direction, choreography, performances, and more. The productions under consideration included 42 musicals, 107 plays, and 33 world premieres.
The following are more of this year’s queer nominees.
A past Helen Hayes Award recipient and nominee, Fran Tapia is competing against herself this year in the Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical (Helen) category. Nominated for her memorable turn as the diva barkeep in GALA Theatre’s “Columbia Heights Bolero Bar,” an immersive musical centered on songs of longing and immigration set in a diverse neighborhood on the eve of a divisive presidential election
“It was a challenging time, because a lot of what was happening in the show was happening in the neighborhood,” says Tapia who lives in Columbia Heights just eight minutes from GALA.
Based in D.C. since 2019, Tapia says “Being recognized in a country that is not my homeland but where I’m building my artistic home, is deeply meaningful. And the variety of roles I have been able to play speaks to the richness of DC theater and the collaborators who trusted me with these roles.”
Her other individual nomination is for the title role in Spooky Action Theater’s “Professor Woland’s Black Magic Rock Show,” a passionately comedic political satire. She approached the mysterious central character as nonbinary.
Tapia (“Chilean, Latina, queer and proud immigrant”) says while very different, both performances involved particularly strong characters. She’s grateful audiences responded positively to her work.
Stanley Bahorek, who moved to D.C. with his husband four years ago, is best known as an accomplished actor with a long list of Broadway and regional credits (including playing Carl, the gay son in Studio Theatre’s recent production of “The Mother Play”). Now, he is nominated for Outstanding Music Direction (Helen) for his work on “A Strange Loop,” a production of D.C.’s Visionaries of the Creative Arts (VOCA) in collaboration with Deaf Austin Theatre. He shares this nomination with Walter “Bobby” McCoy.
Michael R. Jackson’s Tony and Pulitzer wining play “A Strange Loop,” is the story of Usher, a Black, queer theater usher trying to write a musical. VOCA’s take on the work is seen through a deaf BIPOC lens with a deaf Usher played by a deaf actor (out actor Gabriel Silva). Invited by director and longtime friend Alexandria Wailes (who is deaf), Bahorek (who is hearing) joined the creative team as a sort of hybrid associate director/ music supervisor.
“I’m fluent in conversational American Sign Language (ASL),” he says. “I sort of functioned as a sherpa between the hearing and deaf and hard-of-hearing creatives. It’s been a great thrill to be a part of VOCA’s biggest production to date.”
If he and McCoy take home the prize, who makes the acceptance speech? Bahorek takes a beat before replying “That’s something we still need to talk about. And soon.”
A full list of award recipients will be available at theatrewashington.org on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
Anthony Oakes will host “DC Black Pride Comedy Show” on Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m.
Oakes will workshop his new hour about addiction, incarceration, recovery, and redemption with special guests.
This event will be hosted by the hilarious Apple Brown Betty with TJ So Silly, Howl Cooper, and featuring Patrice Deveaux. DJ Art.is will be spinning on the 1’s & 2’s. Libations will be provided by Drink Alchy. Images by RGF ENT. Tickets are $28.52 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Out & About
United Night Out set for Saturday
Team DC hosts evening of soccer, Pride, music, drag and community
On Saturday, May 16, Team DC is taking over Audi Field for United Night OUT as D.C. United faces St. Louis SC.
Come out for an evening of soccer, Pride, music, drag, and community. The night kicks off with pre-game fun featuring DC Different Drummers, DJ Heat, and a Pride Night OUT Party at the Heineken Rooftop. Then get ready for a 7:30 p.m. match, including the National Anthem sung by Dana Nearing and a halftime drag performance.
After the match, the celebration continues at the Post-Game Rooftop Party with DJ Heat and the After Party at Dacha Navy Yard. Game tickets and after party tickets are available now through Zeffy. After party tickets are $20 and include one drink.
‘The Inheritance’ is most-nominated at this year’s Helen Hayes Awards
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day set for May 18
DC Black Pride is around the corner
United Night Out set for Saturday
Calendar: May 15-21
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