Mar 19, 2004  |  By: MARK REILLEY  | COMMENTS     

EVERY GAY PERSON MAKES THE journey from realizing they are gay to fully accepting of this fact.

Robert Matson, a struggling writer in Oklahoma City, did. But rather than keeping it to himself, he decided to share his experience with the world by re-enacting it in on the Internet.

He wrote a play called, “Growing and Learning with Sissy,” cast his friends and associates as actors, videotaped the production and released it in five-minute serialized segments on his Web site at www.TaRsplace.com.

The inspiration for “Sissy” came from a series of frustrating rejection letters Matson had received from publishing houses and theatrical organizations. If no one else would publish his plays, he decided he’d do it himself.

“I decided to promote myself as a writer through the Web, but I wanted to go a step further. I wanted to entertain my viewers and to keep them coming back,” he says.

His first Web play, “Sissy” is based on his own coming out, though he admits he spiced it up with fantasy elements like a fairy God stripper and an overly butch bully to give the story “some theatrical punch.”

Calling on his 20 years of stage experience, Matson, 40, wrote, directed and videotaped “Sissy,” the story of an effeminate gay boy who grows from kindergarten to adulthood.

“The concept was to shoot it like an actual stage play; no film tricks, just the actors performing from beginning to end as if the viewer were actually watching a mini-play,” he says.

With technical support from his partner, Terry Girton, the two released the production on the Internet at www.TaRsplace.com (short for “Terry and Robert’s place”). Like a soap opera or a comic strip, successive five-minute segments are uploaded most Sunday evenings.

Performed by a diverse cast of 30 Oklahoman actors, students and friends, the first six “Webisodes,” focus on a different aspect of title character Sissy’s coming out experience. Themes range from childhood “I’m different” revelations and playground bullying to adolescent confusion and isolation. Other episodes addressed Sissy’s first kiss and his encounters with the club scene.

Tara Henry, 28, who works for a gas company by day and volunteers on “Sissy” at night, hopes viewers will connect with the play’s theme of acceptance.

“I hope they’ll reflect on their own lives and see a commonality between themselves and the issues in the play,” she says. “From there, maybe they’ll see something they can do to bridge [society’s] aggression against differences.”

The singer-guitarist felt strongly connected to the Webisode about bullying.

“I related to the part of Sissy feeling lost and lonely,” she says. “I think we all are searching at different points in our lives for who we are, and it’s scary. Growing up, I got picked on for my red hair and my weight. It’s hard enough to face life, but even tougher with others judging you, saying you must be or do things this or that way. I really enjoy it when Sissy owns his individuality with strength.”

Despite the subject matter, Sissy is not all emotional sturm und drang. The melodrama is countered with Matson’s ample humor.

“I love to make people laugh and make them think, too. I love to teach and entertain through humor,” he says. “I’m a big supporter of the arts and the GLBT community so it makes me feel good that I’m doing my part for both the arts and the gay community.”

Of course, he says, “it wouldn’t hurt if a producer or agent took an interest in my work, too.”

Matson is not concerned that the sets aren’t works of art or the acting flawless. “The concept of my scenes is not to have everything look so perfect, instead it’s all in the words and the characters.” The production is campy, the acting sometimes over-the-top, but the theme remains the same: self-acceptance.

“I believe every individual in this world, whether they care to admit it or not, has felt out of place at one time in their life.” says Matson. “I want people to know that it’s OK to be who they are and to embrace their differences.”

Though the production values are simple with minimal sound effects and visuals, the messages are poignant. One week Sissy is singled out in grade school for running like a girl, the next his grandparents wonder aloud why he can’t just be like other boys. At first Sissy is delighted that he is unique but then he realizes that differences can lead to isolation and bullying. ...