Rocky Horror Picture Show & Interactive Movies: Community at the Seed Theater

In 2020, the Haleys, theater kids who grew into queer adults, were faced with a new experience. They’re child came out as trans and they discovered just how difficult, unsafe, and alienating this area can be for the transgender community. While they considered moving away, as some do when exploring options, they found a place working with Kye Sayers and Michael Bachman at Sanctuary. Inspired, Elizabeth and Brianna began the journey of opening their own theater and the Seed blossomed. 

I sat down with them at Sleepyhead on a Wednesday morning to learn more about them and just why they took the initiative to start the theater and then to begin hosting showings of one of the queerest movies in the canon in a firmly conservative and unforgiving state. 

Brianna, a massive Godzilla fan, was born and raised in a conservative Protestant family. “I grew up in a cult,” she tells me. One that brought her online teaching Bible study classes at fifteen to other Protestant teens around the country, which is where she met Elizabeth. 

“I had blocked her from the chat room,” Brianna stated.

Elizabeth added, “I was being intentionally difficult. I was asking questions the church didn’t have answers to.”

After a friend reconnected them, Brianna realized that there was something there. At 19, they were married, and have been together since. After Sanctuary closed, the Haleys just knew they had to do something. After searching, they began renting a small space - the shows were on. 

“Rainbows always appear when we move into our spaces,” Elizabeth laughs, “that’s how we know we’re doing it right.” 

Despite struggles with protesters, a homophobic landlord, and opening a queer space in a conservative area, the Seed has maintained through many triumphs and tribulations, with the Haleys focused on providing theater and a community safe space. They, as children, experienced how transformative theater can be. Elizabeth’s first show she got to call was “To Kill a Mockingbird” and the experience changed her life. They want to offer that same magic to the community. 

And the idea to host an interactive live cast Rocky Horror Show as Elizabeth’s idea.”Tim Curry represents this beautiful person who isn’t a man or a woman - or any particular gender. There is pan representation and gender fluid representation and there are others around him who love him and celebrate him for who he is.” 

Brianna added, “As much as we love Rocky Horror Picture Show - what is even more important than the movie is giving people space to go and be themselves - it is not a bar - it can be a completely sober event. The movie is a vehicle to allow people to be themselves.”

While the shows this year have sold out, The Seed will host more interactive movies in the coming months and plan on hosting Rocky Horror as an annual event. 

“We’ve done an interactive movie each month - and we’ve seen this success throughout the year. We’ve done Princess Bride and Monty Python. It has allowed us to evolve this whole culture - it is great fun,” Brianna adds.

But more than movies, the Seed and board have big plans for the future. Their ten year plan is a queer dream for many - to buy land and build a space where the LGBTQ+ community can gather to host shows, support groups, a community garden, and provide temporary housing for those in need. 

“In the end, if we do our jobs right, we work ourselves out of a job,” Brianna adds. 

“Our dream retirement is to be two little old ladies living in New York City, attending Broadway shows,” Elizabeth smiles. 

But for now, the Seed will continue hosting shows and providing space for the community. 

To learn more about the Seed Theater, check out their website here.