Unlovable is a poignant exploration of the intricate web of relationships that define our existence, delving deep into how personal traumas can strain these bonds. Yet, at its core, it is a testament to the transformative power of love and understanding, illustrating that healing can emerge from the most unconventional paths.

Drawing inspiration from the life experiences of playwright Niveka Hobaichan, as well as the myriad artistic influences that have resonated with them, this play has evolved into a narrative that resonates deeply with audiences. Through the unwavering support of friends and extensive workshopping, Unlovable has matured into a story that offers connection and reflection to all who experience it.

This campaign is sponsored by the play's producing body, validBodies arts project, INC., a 501(c)3 performing arts production non-profit. As such, all contributions are tax deductible minus the cost or value of any chosen incentive. Thank you!

Emilia Pérez didn’t win, so here’s the good version.

Ever watched Fifty Shades of Grey and thought, what if this story actually meant something? So did I. And that’s how Unlovable was born.

What started as a joke quickly became the truth—a play about loss, abuse, and the unspeakable weight of trauma. But more than anything, Unlovable is about love: the kind that heals, the kind that makes survival possible.

This isn’t just a response to Fifty Shades; it’s a story shaped by the art that’s defined me, by the life I’ve lived, and by the fight to find identity in a world that too often tells us we don’t belong. It’s about the people who see us for who we are and love us anyway.

In a time where news cycles and even art itself often reflect the worst of the world, we’re telling a different kind of story—one that says healing is possible, love is radical, and survival is worth it.

The timing of our debut run couldn’t be more perfect: we open at the end of Mental Health Awareness Month and close at the start of Pride. Two powerful reminders of why Unlovable matters.

But theatre—especially queer theatre—needs a community to thrive. Your support doesn’t just help bring Unlovable to life; it helps make theatre more accessible, amplifies queer voices, and proves that our stories deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

Every dollar, every share, every bit of support helps us tell the stories that keep us going.

There has never been a more urgent moment for Unlovable to exist.

Queer stories are under attack—not just in rhetoric, but in tangible, devastating ways. Under Trump’s administration, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs are being dismantled at every level. Federal funding that once helped marginalized artists tell their stories is drying up. State after state is passing laws that erase LGBTQ+ identities from curriculums, strip trans people of their rights, and embolden extremists to dictate what stories get told. These policies don’t just hurt artists—they send a clear message: queer voices should disappear.

But Unlovable refuses to vanish.

This play is about survival. About healing in a world that makes it feel impossible. About the ways love—real, messy, imperfect love—pulls us back from the brink when trauma tries to consume us. At a time when everything around us is built to suppress, silence, and erase, we need stories that say:

We are here. We matter. We love. We heal.

And right now, the only way to get those stories told is through direct action.

When the institutions that should support us turn their backs, we build our own paths. Queer artists have always relied on each other—on chosen family, on grassroots support, on collective belief in our right to exist and create. Crowdfunding isn’t just about funding a play. It’s about proving that these stories matter, that audiences crave them, and that no amount of political suppression can erase us.

Supporting Unlovable is about more than just bringing a play to life. It’s about making sure queer narratives continue to thrive when the powers that be are actively trying to erase them. It’s about telling the next generation of LGBTQ+ artists that their voices are worth fighting for.

This play opens at the intersection of Mental Health Awareness Month and Pride—a reminder that survival is resistance, and that queer art heals.

Now more than ever, we need to tell our stories. And now more than ever, we need each other to make that happen.

What do you say? Will you stand with us? Not only for art but against tyranny?

We are thrilled to announce that the funds raised through this campaign will directly support the fully-staged production of Unlovable at the Beckmann Theatre, part of the American Theatre of Actors (ATA) in New York City. This intimate venue, with a seating capacity of 35, offers a unique setting that aligns perfectly with our vision for the play. ​The show will run for a week's time, May 27th - June 1, 2025.

Why the Beckmann Theatre?

The Beckmann Theatre's arena-style seating and compact dimensions (17 feet wide by 13.5 to 20 feet deep) create an immersive environment where the audience is mere feet away from the performers. This proximity fosters a profound connection between the actors and the audience, allowing for a shared experience that amplifies the emotional resonance of the narrative. While Broadway stages offer grandeur, the Beckmann's intimate space ensures that every whisper, glance, and movement is felt, making the storytelling immediate and personal.

Why Your Support Matters

Producing theater in New York City, especially Off-Off-Broadway, presents unique financial challenges. Traditional funding avenues, such as grants and corporate sponsorships, have become increasingly competitive and scarce, particularly for projects that center on queer narratives and themes. Crowdfunding has emerged as a vital resource, empowering communities to support stories that reflect their experiences and values.​

Transparency is paramount to us, and we want our supporters to know exactly how their contributions will be utilized. Here's a breakdown of our $5,000 budget:

By contributing to this campaign, you're not just funding a play; you're championing a narrative that explores love, trauma, and healing in a deeply personal way. You're ensuring that stories like Unlovable have a platform and that audiences seeking connection and representation can find it.

We are committed to honoring your support with a production that resonates, challenges, and inspires. Together, we can bring Unlovable to life and share its message with those who need it most.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Thank you for believing in independent, queer theater. Thank you for standing with us in a time when our stories are being erased. Thank you for helping bring Unlovable to life—not just as a production, but as an act of resistance, a celebration of survival, and a testament to the power of community.

Every dollar, every share, every word of encouragement fuels this project. It’s easy to feel powerless in times like these, when the forces against us seem larger than life. But here’s the truth: art is power. Storytelling is power. When we gather in a room, when we share space, when we breathe together and witness something raw and true, we remind the world that we are still here. That we are still fighting. That we are still loving.

This is more than a play. This is proof that queer art endures. That we don’t wait for permission to tell our stories—we create our own stages, our own spaces, our own futures. And when institutions turn their backs, we turn to each other.

So thank you. Thank you for standing with us, for refusing to let queer voices be silenced, for proving that community will always be stronger than oppression.

But don’t stop here. Keep fighting. Keep funding queer art. Keep showing up, speaking out, and making sure the world knows that we will not disappear.

We can’t wait to share Unlovable with you. And we can’t wait to keep building a world where stories like this don’t just survive—they thrive.

With love, gratitude, and defiance,

Niv and Zaq <3