Izzy Sazak, a self-described “queer, genderful, Turkish-Colombian-American trans-disciplinary artist,” firmly believes “there is a little bit of the tiny witch in each us.”
The “tiny witch” Sazak is referring to is not only an inherent spirit of resistance residing within all queer people, but also the essence of a hypothetical ancient queer ancestor that can help inspire and fuel that spirit. This tiny witch is a character and a concept that Sazak evokes in their one-person show “Tiny Witch,” which will be presented at Plays & Players Theatre as part of the Philly Flights- A MidWinter Mini Solo Fest Feb 22-23.
Sazak is an immigrant who was raised in Turkey, moving to the U.S. in 2007. They moved to New York to pursue studies in theater in 2012, and ended up in Philadelphia in 2016 to pursue an MFA in Devised Theater from a collaborative program offered by Pig Iron Theatre Company and University of the Arts — completing the program just prior to the sudden, unexpected demise of University of the Arts.
Sazak describes “Tiny Witch” as part fantasy stand-up, part interactive clown performance in which they couch their serious message defiance and self-actualization within a comedic coat of sassy, witchy impertinence with a heady dose of improvisational audience participation.
“Tiny Witch” was inspired by the story of Bluebeard, who would capture girls and women, kept them prisoner for as long as he wanted to use them, and then ignominiously disposed of them. One imprisoned girl discovers a tiny witch living under her pillow that awakens a spirit of defiance within her that ends up saving her life.
“Of course, it’s an allegory for queer and trans resistance,” Sazak says. “The entire premise of the show is to teach people how to connect with your inner tiny witch.”
“Above all, be unapologetic,” they say. “We have the power to say no to them, to interrupt Bluebeard’s bullshit, as it were.”
Naturally, they add, there will be references to the chaos currently going on in Washington, D.C.
Sazak sums up their purpose concisely: “I’m a queer, nonbinary person, and I’m doing this for other queer and nonbinary people, encouraging them to stand up to the Bluebeards of today.”
“Tiny Witch” is being presented in rotation with two other solo works: “40-Year-Old Ballerino” by Chris Davis and “Conquistawhore” by Rachel O’Hanlon-Rodriguez.
Philly Flights- A MidWinter Mini Solo Fest runs February 20-23 in the third floor Skinner Studio of Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St. “Tiny Witch” will be performed on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 23 at 12 p.m. Tickets for all three shows can be purchased separately on Eventbrite.