IN MY OWN LITTLE WORLD, centres around a trans girl called “Jada” in the early stages of her transition. This one-woman performance is a body of work that amplifies the trans experience, uplifting and celebrating the humanity in LGBTQIA+ stories.
IN MY OWN LITTLE WORLD keeps growing and evolving; the show will be staged at London's Union Theatre on 7th August. The night will be a fundraiser to raise money towards the development of this project.
This project is supported by No Name Creatives, founded by Emmanuel Akwafo, a creative production company championing unheard and overlooked voices through theatre, live events, and original storytelling.
We caught up with writer and performer Jaz Terry to learn more.
In My Own Little World centers on Jada in the early stages of her transition. What was it about this specific, tender window of time in a trans person’s life that made you want to build an entire show around it?
I think there’s power in bringing this specific window of time to the forefront, I didn’t want to shy away from it at all, as for a lot of trans folk these early stages are some of the most defining moments that shape how we see ourselves. Jada’s journey really does full circle as she shares experiences that focus on a sense of becoming and showing up in a world that doesn’t see you. So upon reflecting on my own journey, I know that the stories Jada shares were so prominent for me in the early stages of transitioning.
The title In My Own Little World feels beautifully intimate but also hints at isolation. How does Jada navigate the balance between her inner world and the outside world throughout the play?
In My Own Little World, feels like the most perfect way of representing Jada’s story and also the trans experience, as it is beautifully intimate and different for every trans person. For Jada specifically she navigates the balance between her inner world and outside world by learning through her experiences, survival, her journey of self love, community and chosen family. I guess there is an isolation to the title In My Own Little World, but with that also feels like a sense of ownership to a world YOU get to create and thrive in, regardless of any outer challenges that come your way.
This is a one-woman performance, which requires an immense amount of vulnerability. How has your own personal journey influenced how you bring Jada to life on stage?
Well, this whole piece is heavily influenced by my own personal journey as I do believe your vulnerability can be your superpower. Bringing Jada to life feels so exciting and especially now as a one-woman performance it feels deeply intimate and essential. I also now feel confident enough to want to speak out and share to an audience the way myself and other girls like me experience the world. Jada and I are very alike, so from an acting perspective it feels euphoric to show up and develop a character that I see myself in. But also me and Jada are in two different places, so I do believe that being where I am now in my own personal journey is definitely playing a part with how I step into Jada and perform the material.
You’re blending heartfelt storytelling with original music. How does the music function in the show? Does it act as Jada’s internal monologue, or does it serve a different purpose in moving the story forward?
The original music in this piece is one of my favourite parts, and its evolving and changing as I’m writing this. The musical moments shift everything as it becomes an extension to the more vulnerable and heartfelt moments, but is also being used as a soundscape to allow the story to keep moving. I’m not intending to write a musical in any aspect, but i knew I wanted to create musical moments, explore my artistry and sing in a way I’ve always wanted too. I’m excited by the music and sound design of this piece as I do feel like I’m only at the start of its journey.
Because this show keeps growing and evolving, how has the script or the music changed since you first put pen to paper? Has Jada surprised you as a character along the way?
The character of Jada has definitely surprised me along the way as I’m finding more in what she wants to say, so in turn everything is evolving and getting bigger. This piece has gone from my bedroom walls, to a read-through, staged workshop and now a one-woman show, so having shared and worked with friends it has allowed me to reflect and know what I want to refine. The script has been re-written in places, music has been developed by collaborating with artists (shout out @themassivedaughter) and also having the chance to show this piece in different ways is a great insight to how eventually I want this piece to be performed.
You’ve spoken about the importance of uplifting and celebrating the humanity in LGBTQIA+ stories. Why is it so crucial for audiences—both trans and cisgender—to see a story that focuses on trans joy and humanity rather than just trans trauma?
I think it’s more crucial now that ever to have queer lead stories that celebrate humanity and can be up-lifting and inspirational, especially with the rhetoric that is going on at the moment around the community. We are more than just our trauma, right? and the stories that are heavily focused on the trauma are extremely important, archival and necessary. But I suppose for me with In My Own Little World, it is a representation of what I want to share right now, allowing me full agency to speak on the harsh realities, but also the euphoric and joyful experiences of stepping into your true self.
Creating this piece with these themes in mind, it has already blown me away that even though this story is told through a trans lens, it has resonated, moved and connected with all different types of people. That’s the type of art I want to keep creating.
What does authentic trans representation on stage mean to you personally, and what do you hope a young trans person sitting in the audience takes away from watching Jada’s journey?
Gosh, it means so much to me.
In an industry that seems to be quite limiting for trans actors we do need more representation, opportunity and access, so EVERYONE can see themselves. When I was younger, me seeing black and brown queer people on stage was such a transformative moment in my life. So I believe having more stories that aren’t just based in seeing trans folk as one thing and allowing more access to spotlight a multitude of diverse queer stories, is an exciting step forward. To have authentic trans representation so visible and on stage can honestly change someone’s life, and I personally know how impactful them moments can be.
I also created this piece with my inner child in mind and as a letter to myself and for other girls like me at this specific time. So I do hope a young trans person sitting in the audience, leaves this piece feeling seen, validated to be feeling what they are feeling, loved, uplifted and less alone.
Society often focuses on the "before" and "after" of a transition, but In My Own Little World sits squarely in the middle—the early stages. Why do you think public discourse struggles so much with the "in-between" phases of growth, and how does your show challenge that?
There is also beauty in the “journey” or being in the “Middle” etc.
That’s not the same for every trans person, but thats where I’m currently writing from, because I’m living it.
These early stages are extremely vulnerable and the discourse around the public struggling on “phases of growth” would be a whole other interview.
But I do feel like In My Own Little World, isn’t really about challenging but more confronting and reflecting to audiences on how the current issues and narratives impact the trans community, and also all of us. This piece has become a vessel for me to use my own experiences to speak out in the best way I know how, using my voice to hopefully have some impact and push for change.
Theatre has a unique power to build empathy. If In My Own Little World could spark just one specific conversation at the bar or on the train ride home after the show, what conversation do you hope audiences are having?
I hope the conversations around the piece are in someway educational, inspiring and reflective on how people want to show up in the world, and to be able to have a cutsie moment with your own inner child.
You’re collaborating with Emmanuel Akwafo and No Name Creatives, a company dedicated to championing unheard voices. How has their support shaped the development of this project, and what makes this partnership so special?
Emmanuel believes in me and my work and that honestly means the world to me. This piece is my baby and building a team around it was always going to be such a vulnerable journey. No Name Creatives have provided me with opportunities to be seen, even this interview has happened because of them. I’ve had moments to take up space and really stand in my truth while collaborating with Emmanuel, and them moments have turned in to golden gems in my career and journey of this piece. The partnership is so special as they are so dedicated to championing unheard voices and supporting black queer stories, so this feels like an exciting journey with No Name creatives and In My Own Little World.
This night is a fundraiser to help the project continue to grow. What is the immediate vision for In My Own Little World? Where do you hope to take this production next?
I have big ambitions for In My Own Little World and it would be amazing to have a small run in theatre somewhere, fingers crossed!
But the immediate vision would be to explore another workshop with public showings and looking at working with team to put this on-screen. This piece really has space to be so many things and I’m already having exciting conversations, so watch this space!
For those in the audience or looking to donate, how exactly will the funds raised tonight help bring this production to life? (e.g., set design, touring, future development workshops?)
The funds raised will all go towards to the future development of the project, starting to build a team and repertoire to build more steps for this piece to be seen. A couple of examples would be to have another workshop with a cast and creative team or to be able to work with a film crew to put this work on-screen.
If you could sum up the core heartbeat of In My Own Little World in just a few words for someone considering supporting the fundraiser, what would it be?
It’s a journey of self-discovery and seeing the beauty that comes with stepping into your power.
In My Own Little World is staged at The Union Theatre in London on Friday 7th August 2026 at 7.30pm. For tickets and more information visit https://uniontheatre.biz/show/in-my-own-little-world/
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