Illiana May

Revels is about community and tradition. We all find joy in connecting with those around us and comfort in familiarity. As much as our lives and the world may change, every year we come together to sing, dance, and warm the hearths of our hearts with friends and family. Revels provided a space where I felt safe, supported, and appreciated for who I was in middle school. Participating in the show, or seeing it year after year, is a powerful experience that provides shared identity. I was in Revels when I was 11 years old, and at 22 I still find hope and solidarity in the annual celebration.