LaBeija's Ball - Player Casting Call
First and Foremost: BaddieBards stands for the following:
- All Black Lives Matter
- All LGBTQIA+ people are welcome and valid
- Transmisogyny, transphobia, racism, homophobia, ableism, fatphobia, colorism etc. has no place at our tables
- ACAB - yes, all of them
- Sex work is real work
If this doesn't resonate with you, we are not the studio for you. Keep it pushing! 💜🧡
BaddieBards aims to showcase unapologetically Black, Trans, and Queer stories in the TTRPG space. We believe the best adventures happen when you bring your entire fabulous self, your lived experiences, your stories to the table.
At BaddieBards, we are committed to ensuring that everyone at our tables has a safe experience. We prioritize supporting our storytellers in creating a safe space for our players. Every game includes a mandatory Session 0, during which players can connect, discuss safety tools, and establish Lines and Veils.
BaddieBards hosts casting calls exclusively for Black LGBTQIA+ performers. Trans identifying folks are ALWAYS given priority.
Do you acknowledge and verify that you have read the above and identify as a Black LGBTQIA+ performer?
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Do you acknowledge and verify that you have read the above and identify as a Black LGBTQIA+ performer?
This is the section where we get to know you!
What's your email address?
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What is your main social media handle?
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What is your Discord username?
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What time zone are you located in?
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What time zone are you located in?
If 'Other,' what timezone?
What is your level of experience with TTRPGs?
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What is your level of experience with TTRPGs?
Please take a moment to tell us about yourself! Share your background, interests, and anything else you want us to know!
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Do you identify as Trans (we understand that not everyone who identifies as Nonbinary or Genderfluid also identifies as Trans. We aren't here to police that), Mentally Ill, Chronically Ill, Neurodivergent, Disabled, and/or an Immigrant? Disclosure isn't necessary, but please feel free to use this space to tell us which of those, if any, describe you.
Note: Baddie Bards only hosts all Black Queer and/or Trans tables. That said, Baddie Bards presents LaBeija's Ball is no different. It is an event to center Black LGBTQIA+ performers. Therefore, the tables will feature all Black, Queer, and/or Trans storytellers while non-black individuals will assist us as producers, graphic designers, safety team members, and other non-storytelling positions.
Let's talk about LaBeija's Ball!
BaddieBards presents: LaBeija's Ball is a charity event to raise money for For the Gworls and Voix Noire. LaBeija's Ball is our tribute to Mother Crystal LaBeija, to our Black Queer and Trans Elders, and to community joy and celebration that was found in both ballroom and block parties. Crystal LaBeija was a pioneer in queer ballroom culture, the progenitor of the House and Family structure for ballroom houses. Cindy and Clive Campbell are the founders of what has now become a staple in Black communities, block parties.
Ballroom has been around since the mid-1800s. Despite Black and Latine people being the primary developers of ballroom culture, balls in the 1960s were run by white queers and often excluded Black and other queer folx of color. Crystal LaBeija saw a place where Black queens were often excluded from and lovingly crafted a space where they could be celebrated and honored instead. Her love created a safe harbor for black and brown queer and trans people to find respite, joy, and warmth. Crystal and Lottie LaBeija created House of LaBeija and would be the the cause of several other houses developing. "Houses" originated and still are beacons in communities for LGBTQIA+ beings, a place of refuge, family, joy, and resistance.
In that same breath, we look at the history of block club party's. In 1973 at Sedgwick Ave in NYC, First Lady & Muva of Hip-Hop Cindy Campbell and her brother, DJ Kool Herc threw a Back-to-School Jam that was wildly successful. What started as a party in the rec room of Cindy's apartment to raise money for her to have a dope back-to-school wardrobe, by the hours of the early morning spilled out into the street. After that, block parties were born - a tool in Black neighborhoods as a tool to bring folx together. It celebrates the spirit of community. Block parties have been used to raise money for it's community members, local schools, and churches as well as host food and clothing drives.
Like Mother Crystal, like First Lady Cindy and DJ Kool Herc, BaddieBards follows the long and rich tradition of carving out joy in the most adverse circumstances. That is Blackness. That is community. And that is why WE ARE HERE.
In the spirit of the original block party, we're using our celebration to raise money for two very special charities.
Voix Noire is an organization founded by a by a Black Queer woman who feeds, houses, and provides safety for Black children and people of marginalized genders. She works tirelessly to provide very necessary reparations and joy for marginalized black people.
And
For The Gworls follows the old hip-hop tradition of using parties to raise money for Black Queer and Trans folks to keep roofs over their heads, food in their bellies, and access to life-saving care.
We encourage you to get to know these incredible organizations and support them in any way you can.
What you can expect from this event and BaddieBards:
While we were doing research for this event, the one thing that was at the root of it all was community. The answer is, and always will be, community.
That being said, BaddieBards ensures open and transparent communication. We will remain open and adaptable to any ideas, questions, or concerns from everyone involved in this event. We will prioritize the wellbeing of each team member, each table. We welcome feedback. If you are joining this event, we hope to receive the same from you. This is a collaborative, community event and we want everyone to be heard. As such, the Bards are happy to provide the structure but our community provides the meat of this event. We can't do it without y'all and we thank you with our whole hearts for considering us!
Additionally, we ensure each table will have a Session 0 (with GM, players, producer, and an optional safety team member) and utilize safety tools. It is required by each table.
This event will take place the entirety of June in celebration of Juneteenth and Pride Month. Each weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) of June there will be one show airing each day. We are hoping to showcase 3 shows with a total of 3-4 sessions each.
Each session may last up to 3-4 hours including 15-30 mins before the session for a tech check, 30 mins for a break (broken up into two 15 minute breaks, as needed), and up to 15-30 mins of after care once the session ends.
Fridays on June 5, 12, 19, 26 at 7:00PM - 10:30PM EST: Post Likely to Succeed with Meadow (She/They)
Saturdays on June 6, 13, 20, (with the 27th as a flex date in case of absence/issues) at 2:00PM - 6:00 PM EST: The Drag-tectives! with Neon (He/They)
Sundays on June 7, 14, 21, 28 at 1:00PM - 5:00PM EST: Legends & Legacies with Zo (They/Them)
You must be able to make the established dates/times for the game you are applying to.
Before we step into the details of the games, we would like to talk about safety. Each game contains a section for their own content warnings, please read them carefully. If you have any questions, please reach out via email at BaddieBards@gmail.com. This section is to cover the safety tools we have available/will use, Session 0, and any accommodations you may need.
During Session 0, there will be a time to go over everyone's Lines and Veils. Players will be given a safety consent checklist to fill out prior to meeting. We will talk about things we want to see in the game vs. things we don't want to see. This will be the first 40-90 minutes of the Session 0. The remaining time will be spent in character creation, worldbuilding, etc.
Attendance at Session 0 is mandatory! Safety is of the utmost importance in any roleplaying experience and we want everyone to have fun in safe, accessible environments.
Untitled multiple choice field
We'll be using Lines and Veils, X/N/O Cards, an Open Door policy for players, a break mid-game, post-game aftercare, and a debrief called Stars and Wishes. We also offer tables a Virtual Palette Grid.
What are Lines and Veils, X/N/O Cards, and Stars and Wishes?
You can find more information about each tool below!
Are you okay with using these safety tools as we play?
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Are you okay with using these safety tools as we play?
Do you need any accommodations while playing? If none, please reply N/A.
Here's the tea on Post Likely to Succeed !
Inspiration: Kiki's Delivery Service meets Fionna & Cake.
Description: A brigade of mail carriers are tasked with not just getting packages and letters to their destinations in their small town, but also connecting the community in magical ways. Matchmaking pen pals, delivering gifts in terrible weather, and handwriting thank you's at the end of each day, this cozy take on what we owe to each other aims to provide light in dark times and a reminder to always reach out.
About the GM:
Meadow (She/They) of MeadowLark Games
What you can expect from this game: This game is a warm, heartfelt, cozy slice of life about magickal delivery workers trying to wholesomely meddle in their community to make it better. From matchmaking penpals to helping ghosts spring clean, this game will be comedy and narrative forward.
The proposed dates and times for the live-stream are in Eastern Standard Time (EST). This game is going to be live-streamed on Baddie Bards Twitch channel. The sessions will be streamed during each Friday in June between 7:00PM - 10:30PM EST. With the exception of Session 1, which will be pre-recorded and scheduled with the table. Cameras are not necessary, but encouraged.
Each session may last up to 3-4 hours including 15-30 mins before the live-stream for a tech check, 30 mins for a break (broken up into two 15 minute breaks, as needed), and up to 15-30 mins of after care once the session ends.
The proposed dates and times for the live-stream are as follows:
Session 0: To be scheduled with the table.
Session 1: To be scheduled with the table as it will be pre-recorded. Recording will take place during May.
Session 2: June 12th
Session 3: June 19th
Session 4: June 26th
Are you available to make the dates and times above?
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Are you available to make the dates and times above?
Content Warnings: PG-13 for possible explicit language. There will be no heavy, disturbing, gory, or explicitly sexual themes baked into the adventure.
How do you feel about these preliminary content warmings?
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How do you feel about these preliminary content warmings?
Are you interested in playing Post Likely to Succeed?
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Are you interested in playing Post Likely to Succeed?
Please tell us about what kind of character you'd like to play in this story.
Please be as descriptive as you'd like! If you are not applying to this game, please put N/A.
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Let's talk about The Drag-tectives!
Inspiration: Ballroom Houses, psychics, detective vibes
Description: The Drag-tectives are on the case!
The House of Spyglass are a group of psychics working within Zener City, taking on cases too strange for mundane solutions and for people that the police department are all too willing to ignore. These dames and dicks are hardboiled and setting powder baked, ready to take on any case.
About the GM: Neon (He/They) aka
TheNeonCaster What you can expect from this game: For this one-shot, our investigators look into a case around a string of shop front vandalism cases in the entertainment district. Which shops are they smashing... and why?
The proposed dates and times for the live-stream are in Eastern Standard Time (EST). This game is going to be live-streamed on Baddie Bards Twitch channel. The session will be streamed during each Saturday in June between 2:00PM - 6:00PM. Cameras are not necessary, but encouraged.
Each session may last up to 3-4 hours including 15-30 mins before the live-stream for a tech check, 30 mins for a break (broken up into two 15 minute breaks, as needed), and up to 15-30 mins of after care once the session ends.
The proposed dates and times for the live-stream are as follows:
Session 0: To be scheduled with the table.
Session 1: June 6th
Session 2: June 13th
Session 3: June 20th
Flex Date: June 27th, in case of absence or rescheduling.
Are you available to make the dates and times above?
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Are you available to make the dates and times above?
Content Warnings: PG-15, direct discussion of the tribulations queer communities face, though no non-screen targeted bigotry.
How do you feel about these preliminary content warmings?
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How do you feel about these preliminary content warmings?
Are you interested in playing The Drag-tectives?
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Are you interested in playing The Drag-tectives?
Please tell us about what kind of character you'd like to play in this story.
Please be as descriptive as you'd like! If you are not applying to this game, please put N/A.
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Lemme tell you 'bout Legends & Legacies !
Inspiration: Black Code Lyoko, Log Horizon
Description: Today is the last day that Legends & Legacies will ever exist. It wasn't a perfect game, but it was everything that you could hope to have in your teens. The servers are being shut down after the latest wave of “kid’s safety” legislation that’s been passed (we all know its bullshit).
Ordinarily, this wouldn’t affect you as a late 30-something working-adult… but today you’ve received some dice, and a letter. One of you is going to die if you don’t do something.
About the GM: Zo (They/Them), also known as
radicalzo What you can expect from this game: We’ll be playing DIE RPG. In a game inspired by the likes of Code Lyoko, and Log Horizon. You’ll be playing 4 friends who upload into their favorite dead game, right as it’s being shut down–all to save someone they’ve never met (IRL).
The proposed dates and times for the live-stream are in Eastern Standard Time (EST). This game is going to be live-streamed on Baddie Bards Twitch channel. The session will be streamed during each Sunday in June between 1:00PM - 5:00PM. Cameras are not necessary, but encouraged.
Each session may last up to 3-4 hours including 15-30 mins before the live-stream for a tech check, 30 mins for a break (broken up into two 15 minute breaks, as needed), and up to 15-30 mins of after care once the session ends.
The proposed dates and times for the live-stream are as follows:
Session 0: To be scheduled with the table.
Session 1: June 7th
Session 2: June 14th
Session 3: June 21st
Session 4: June 28th
Are you available to make the dates and times above?
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Are you available to make the dates and times above?
Content Warnings: Fantasy Violence, Swearing, Monsters, Grief, Allusion to Real World Politics, Allusion to Childhood Neglect, Grief
How do you feel about these preliminary content warmings?
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How do you feel about these preliminary content warmings?
Are you interested in playing in Legends & Legacies?
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Are you interested in playing in Legends & Legacies?
Please tell us about what kind of character you'd like to play in this story.
Please be as descriptive as you'd like! If you are not applying to this game, please put N/A.
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