News Summary
The Mickee Faust Club will hold its 17th annual Queer as Faust Festival at the House of Music in Tallahassee, showcasing resilience after a tornado damage. The festival features performances that blend music, comedy, and theater, including ‘QAF XVII: Join the Rodent Resistance.’ Executive Director Donna Marie Nudd leads the event, which emphasizes inclusivity and community involvement. A documentary screening and art exhibit will further enrich the festival experience, which runs various performances from May 30 to June 14.
Tallahassee, Florida – The Mickee Faust Club will host its 17th annual Queer as Faust (QAF) Festival from May 30 to June 14 at the House of Music in Tallahassee, despite the significant damage caused by a tornado that struck the Railroad Square Art District on May 10, 2024. The festival, featuring the main production “QAF XVII: Join the Rodent Resistance,” is a testament to the resilience of Tallahassee’s arts community, which faced the unexpected devastation with determination and creativity.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported from the tornado; however, the impact on the area’s artistic landscape was severe, as many local organizations, including the Mickee Faust Club, suffered extensive property damage. The club’s building lost its roof, leaving them “suddenly homeless.” Within just four days post-disaster, the club managed to relocate their essential belongings into five storage units thanks to their quick response.
The House of Music stepped in to assist the Mickee Faust Club by providing a new venue for the festival’s performances. The upcoming event will include six performances on weekends at 8 p.m., showcasing a mix of original music, comedy, and theater—elements central to the club’s vibrant identity.
Executive Director Donna Marie Nudd leads the effort to bring the festival to life. With a background in Queer Studies, Performance Studies, and Gender Studies from her extensive teaching career at Florida State University, Nudd has a wealth of experience in the arts sector. Her wife, Terry Galloway, serves as the Artistic Director, taking on the beloved character Mickee Faust, who is known for her unique blend of tyrannical humor, political correctness, and irreverent commentary.
The Mickee Faust Club embraces inclusivity, welcoming volunteers of all ages and backgrounds—specifically individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, seniors, and those facing economic limitations. This commitment to community involvement emphasizes the club’s vision of being a community theatre for the weird community of Tallahassee, creating spaces where diverse voices can be heard and celebrated.
The festival’s production “QAF XVII: Join the Rodent Resistance” includes sketches that reflect current societal issues and events, along with inspirations drawn from classic literature and popular songs. In keeping with their mission, the club is set to highlight themes surrounding LGBTQ+ advocacy and disability pride, encouraging dialogue and understanding among attendees.
Additionally, the festival will feature a special event—a screening of “1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture,” in partnership with the Tallahassee Film Society. This documentary examines the roots of anti-gay sentiment in society stemming from a mistranslation of biblical texts in 1946. It will be shown on June 28, 2025, as part of a broader effort to address historical context and societal change.
The QAF Festival will also debut a special gallery exhibit called “In Praise of the Useless Tree: Trans Reflections in Nature,” presented by guest artist Nathaniel(le) Hendrickson. This exhibit, running from June 28-29 at the 621 Gallery, is described as a celebration of queerness and beauty in nature, further enriching the festival experience.
With tickets priced between $15 and $20, the festival promises a dynamic experience for attendees, although it is noted that the content will include mature themes, including profane language and adult situations. As the arts community rallies together in the aftermath of the tornado, the resilience of the Mickee Faust Club and their dedication to fostering a creative and inclusive environment is evident in the lineup of events they have planned.
The return of the Mickee Faust Club’s festival allows the community not just a chance to enjoy unique performances but also serves as a reminder of the importance of arts in fostering resilience and unity in the face of adversity.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Mickee Faust Club Festival
- Wikipedia: Queer Theatre
- Tallahassee.com: House of Music Collaboration
- Google Search: Queer Theatre Festivals
- Tallahassee.com: Artists Rebuilding After Tornado
- Google Scholar: Queer Theatre
- Tallahassee.com: Pride Month Celebration
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Queer Theatre
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
