ABOUT
Kaylin/TJ has travelled the world, studied all manner of on-stage nonsense and come to one conclusion: all performing arts are secretly the same thing (which is why they refuse to have separate websites). They love stories that highlight the romance of simply being human, and telling those stories using any tool in their increasingly whimsical toolkit. No matter their role in a production, they are constantly seeking ways to implement sustainable theatre-making practices that help build a world in which pain is not the price of passion.
Born and raised in Alaska, KAYLIN SAUR (she/her) spent several years as a traveling circus performer before settling in San Diego. Descended from a long line of accountants who never imagined their child would voluntarily perform for a living, she spent many years pursuing athletics and visual art before stepping onstage, including studying Exercise and Sport Science and Ceramics at the University of Evansville. Upon deciding that getting her doctorate could wait, she journeyed first to the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (Seattle) and then to Eastern Acrobatics and Circus (Boston) to pursue professional training in circus arts, after which she performed acrobatics on cruises.
After spending 63 days in the spring of 2020 cooped up on an empty ship, Kaylin eventually landed in San Diego and promptly fell head over heels in love with the local theatre community. Her debut as a writer/director/choreographer (Arson 101, A Choose Your Own Adventure) won awards both locally and on tour (SD International Fringe Festival Spirit of the Fringe & Artist's Pick, Charm City Best of Fringe). In 2023 she joined Loud Fridge Theatre Group (2023 Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Achievement By A Small Theater) as Board Treasurer and producer of the company's MiniFridge Cabaret Series. She can also be found hosting her original performing arts game show, Triple Threat Throwdown, and spending her free time trying to figure out if swing dancing and sword fighting can be part of the same choreography. When not on stage, she helps movers of all kinds develop injury-proof technique as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA).
TJ BARR (he/him) found himself cartwheeling into existence after Kaylin was told she should participate in a university student drag competition and had to ask "what's a drag king?!" After winning "Best Duet" in his very first show, he was hooked and here to stay. He came of age in Seattle, where he developed his skills and style as a cast member in the city's only all-drag-king revue, Kremwerk Kings. TJ arrived in San Diego in 2022 and swiftly made an impression as the first drag king to win the long-running Dueling Divas drag competition. Shortly afterwards he joined North America's longest-running drag king troupe, the San Diego Kings Club, and is now the creator and host of the group's Kings & Friends show, which features up-and-coming local non-queen drag talent. Known for serving fierce body with a funny face, he loves any tune with potential for drama whether it's pop punk or Broadway. His performances push the boundaries of drag beyond lip sync and into burlesque, acrobatics, clowning, magic, and puppetry. As of 2023, is he is proud father of San Diego's first and only drag king house, the House of Barr, through which he not only mentors his three drag sons (Hans E Barr, Sam Paguita, and Deven Barr) but also provides public educational workshops for a variety of entertainers to hone their craft or even to try drag for the first time. A true divo, he makes Kaylin build all his costumes and props for him.