Christopher Preslar’s story began in New York City, where he said he was a struggling actor working three jobs to support his dream.

“I kept hearing from my acting teachers and from casting directors, ‘You’re an amazing actor, but if you want to have a successful career, you’re gonna have to hide that boisterous queerness that you have,’” Preslar said.

Preslar said hearing those words was heartbreaking.

“I also feel like I couldn’t be angry with them,” he said. “Because a lot of them were speaking out of experience.”

Unable to break into the industry while being true to himself, Preslar set out on a mission to create a space for people to express themselves openly and honestly.

That’s when he founded the Austin Rainbow Theatre.

“We tell stories about queer history,” Preslar said. “We

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