No I.D.

Synopsis

Tatenda navigates the complex process of changing his name and gender marker on official documents after transitioning from female to male. Born in California to a Zimbabwean mother and a Belgian father, Tatenda takes the audience on a journey through his past and present, exploring themes of identity, bureaucracy, and the challenges faced by transgender individuals. Through a series of phone calls, paperwork, and medical assessments, Tatenda reflects on his childhood as Thandiwe, his journey of self-discovery at university, and the joys and challenges of transitioning, while embodying various characters he interacts with along the way.

Shamiso skillfully weaves together personal anecdotes, musical performances, and powerful monologues to create a multi-faceted portrait of the transgender experience. He explores the intersection of gender identity, race, and colonialism, challenging the notion that being transgender is a Western concept and highlighting the diversity of gender expressions across different cultures. Throughout the play, music serves as a powerful emotional touchstone, with Tatenda performing original songs that chart his evolving relationship with his voice and his sense of self. Ultimately, “NO I.D.” is a moving and thought-provoking exploration of the transgender experience, one that challenges the audience to confront their assumptions about gender, identity, and bureaucracy, inviting us to consider the ways in which our society both constrains and liberates the expression of our true selves.