How to Become a Saint (while wearing pants)

WITNESS! As never before seen in Heaven or Earth! The ascension of St. Joan of Arc into Heaven! Confusion about Sainthood! Discussions of VIRGINITY! Trans Saints! Queer Angels! Cake!

How to Become a Saint (while wearing pants) uses clown, physical theater, and music to celebrate the queerness of sainthood. We follow three saints whose lives turned on a major transition: St. Marinos (female to monk), Margery Kempe (mother to virgin), and Joan of Arc (country girl to gender nonconforming military leader and icon). Through their stories we ask who gets to be a saint, which narratives we choose to celebrate, and how cake can possibly taste this good.

Winner of two NYC Fringe 2026 Staff Choice Awards (Overall and wild project), the show now comes to Philadelphia for three performances only.

“a Divine, Thought-Provoking Comedy” – Manhattan Digest

“It offers a message of radical hope to the LGBTQ+ community... By reclaiming these saints in a queer perspective, the play transforms old hagiographies into modern anthems of belonging.” – Manhattan Digest

“How to Become a Saint (while wearing pants) makes transgressiveness sparkle.” – Thinking Theater NYC

“So funny and inappropriate! So many bad words in a play about heaven!” – Mateo, age 8

Developed and performed by Ania Upstill, Becca Canziani, Brooke Ferris, Lex Alston, and Lynn Hodeib. Supported by a Bechdel Project Community Space Grant and Materials for the Arts.

Runtime: 60 minutes, no intermission.
Location: The Fern Room, upstairs at The Trestle Inn. Cash bar only.
Content: strong language and frank talk about sex and virginity.
Age: 21+
Accessibility: Elevator available to second floor, where The Fern Room is.