ABOUT US
Starhouse Amateur Theatre Company is a Bay Area-based queer theatre collective dedicated to accessible performance and honest connection with audiences through an inventive approach to theatre arts.
When we say accessible performance, we mean that we are dedicated to providing theatre that requires neither a degree in theatre to understand, nor a small fortune to afford. Toward this end, admission to all Starhouse shows is always completely free (and if you think that’s a pretty neat policy, there’s a handy way to make sure we can continue it) Furthermore,we strive to cater all performances and events to a diverse audience, such that anyone can come and find something to enjoy.
When we say honest connection, we mean that we strive to consistently produce the most sincere and authentic shows for our audiences, telling stories we believe deeply in with the intent to engage personally with our guests. Whether performing original works or reworking existing shows, we pride ourselves on avoiding the self-indulgence, irony, and contrivance that now poisons many performer-audience relationships.
And when we say an inventive approach to theatre arts, we mean that theatre and the performance arts as a whole is an ever-expanding and changing collection of artforms and living traditions, and we constantly push ourselves to create new and interesting ways of entertaining our audience. We do not constrain ourselves to a small selection of well-worn classics, but rather we simultaneously draw on theatrical and performing traditions from around the world, dating back thousands of years, and look ahead with open minds to explore and discover what else can come next for the world of performance.
If you have read this much, congratulations! You are part of the Starhouse community, and we look forward to seeing what we can create together.
Rory Kinsolving
Artistic Director, President
I’ve been steeped in the performing arts my whole life, so it's no surprise I turned out this way. I've directed every Starhouse show since its inception—I've also been known to, when needed, write, act, sing, dance, hoot, and/or holler. But, much though I love the stage, theatre theory and directing are my passions, ones I'm very lucky to get to pursue here. Outside of Starhouse, I'm a musician and songwriter, and my work can be found at rory--john.carrd.co
Cassian Grove
VP
Ever since I was little, I always knew I wanted to be underpaid. So, I worked hard and became an artist! Not only do I practice and teach the art of theatre, I also draw, paint, sculpt, sew, crochet, and otherwise spend my time adding pretty things to the world. You may notice that I also tend to have a hand in writing Starhouse shows—I am also the dramatist, after all. You can find my art and more here: cassiancreating.carrd.co
Heidi Le Huynh
Managing Director
Howdy, thanks for reading! I'm this company's official Guy in the Chair for the backend management of Making Things Happen. My passions have a home in performing arts, from K-pop to comedy and beyond. In my free time I'm writing jokes on the internet, finding whimsy in the grossest parts of town and caring way too much about the state of late night television. I'm always up to something (creatively, not criminally), so if you have any interest in my creative pursuits...I'll let you know, because I don't have a public Instagram.