Our Mission

WHAT:

  • We make theater that highlights queer and trans themes in existing classical texts. Our productions reveal the inherent queer themes in history.

HOW :

  • Through the curation of thematically relevant narratives and hiring of queer and trans talent, our productions cater specifically to queer and trans communities.

WHY:

  • Theatre Bacchant makes previously inaccessible stories personal and relevant to the modern world. We make space in the classical canon where originally there was none.

Meet the Founders

M Cantu - Producing Artistic Director

M Cantu is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit arts administrator and theatremaker originally from Los Angeles, CA. They hold a BA in Theater with a dual emphasis in Design/Technology and Acting from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and attended the National Theater Institute in Fall 2019. M is an alumni of the Lin Manuel Miranda Family Fellowship, a distinct award for artists of color who have exhibited exceptional passion, drive, and unique points of view in various artistic mediums, and currently serves as the Treasurer for the Alumni Advisory Board. They are additionally affiliated with Hivewild and Pioneer Works.

Kaila Tacazon - Associate Artistic Director, Managing Director

Kaila Tacazon is a producer, director, writer, and actor who specializes in dramatic verse and devised movement. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in Theatre and a minor titled Justice, Voice, and Advocacy. This is where they piloted the role of Director of Diversity and Outreach and produced multiple productions with a focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Some of Kaila’s previous projects include: directing/producing an all queer and trans production team and cast in apokalupsis with Lane for the 2023 Hollywood Fringe Festival.

Keegan Vernon-Clay - Operations/Production Manager, Literary Associate

Keegan Vernon-Clay (they/he/she) is a Brooklyn-based actor, director, and general theater artist. They specialize in classical and experimental theater, with a particular passion for physical storytelling, puppetry, and poetic language. Keegan has always been most attracted to stories that highlight queer experiences, and is deeply invested in providing queer artists with the opportunity to work on all-queer productions. They received their BA in Theater Arts from UC Santa Cruz in 2020, and attended the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in 2019. If you'd like to see more of Keegan’s personal artistic exploits, follow them on Instagram @keeganvernonclay.

Lane St. Sebastian - Literary and Translation Manager, Resident Dramaturg

Lane St. Sebastian is a Chicago-born playwright and translator. He teaches Latin to middle schoolers and high schoolers for a living. He is a recipient of the 2023 Hollywood Fringe Fest Scholarship, where his metatheatrical tragedy, apokalupsis, premiered in 2023. In 2025, he placed as a semifinalist in ScreenCraft's Stage Play Competition. His previous works include Sibylla (dftc), GODBEARER, goat song (USC), apokalupsis (HFF), In Defense of Medea (2025 ScreenCraft Stage Play Competition Semifinalist), Alter (Sacred Fools and Rainbow Entertainment), and his upcoming antigonē: a play against birth (Theatre of the Bacchant). He would like to thank his assistant and cat, Romeo Meowntague, for his unwavering devotion and steadfast loyalty.