How LA inspired a transmasculine actor to create his own comedy show

It wasn’t Hollywood that called Marval Rex to Los Angeles. He moved from New York City in 2015 to pursue an art degree at USC.

He was living in South Central at the time and began engaging with nearby artists and their communities – attending “crappy” underground art exhibitions, live performances, and consuming video art.

“I was immediately inspired by the energy,” he said.

It was then that his journey as a “chameleon” of entertainment and arts began in the city, holding various roles as a curator, artist, actor, astrologer and comedian.

His first solo comedy show, REXODUS: Out Of The Closet Into The Tribe, showing at The Elysian on October 16th and 25th, is his autobiography that connects the intersections of faith, identity and gender, while he chronicles his transformation as an artist “Catholic Schoolgirl” for a proud transmasculine Jewish man.

The influence of LA’s neighborhoods on Rex

Living in South Central and interacting with artists there allowed Rex to experience LA’s non-Hollywood culture. In 2018, he began curating exhibitions in East LA and Lincoln Heights that had their own atmosphere.

“There was a freedom, and that’s different than in cities like New York, where there’s kind of an expectation of what art is,” Rex said. “LA, because it’s so big and each neighborhood is so specific, there are these moments that I don’t know if they could happen anywhere else.”

He points to specific Southern California cultures in the neighborhoods—hip-hop music, Latinidad, immigrant experiences, the density of the area, and other characteristics.

For Rex, encountering the different cultures of LA was something special. As a first-generation Catalan American, he said he didn’t have an “American” upbringing and often interacted with other people who had similar experiences.

“The art world is still super white and male,” he said. “And I asked myself, ‘How do I make progress as a trans person?’ I am different. I am unique and relate to other people who are not mainstream.”

Rex has worked with L.A.-based artists San Cha, Rafa Esparza, Cade Moga and many people who may have “just popped into the scene,” he said. Through the exchange between artists and people behind the scenes, a community for queer and other traditionally marginalized people was created. He enjoyed building bridges between people.

“I love when I see different communities in LA starting to come together or share spaces,” said Rex. “It’s really like a kink for me. I think, ‘Oh, this is so exciting.'”

Being an out transmasculine actor

After wearing the role of artist and curator for some time, he said he became an actor by accident.

Someone who had seen his live art performances suggested he take the professional path as an actor, which he said pays more. Rex landed his first feature film in early 2020, then the world slowed down.

The COVID-19 pandemic and Hollywood strikes in 2023 have slowed work for everyone in the industry, and many – including Rex – are still seeing this. According to a study by LA Film, 20% fewer television and film projects were made in the Los Angeles area last year than in 2022.

There are hardly any new acting roles, and when you combine that with LGBTQ jobs, there are even fewer.

As studios announce layoffs, cuts are being made to diversity, equity and inclusion departments, which, according to journalist, author – and my good friend – Tre’vell Anderson, have often been the drivers of trans, LGBTQ and queer-affirming storytelling.

Model and actress Laith Ashley, who has been taking part in major modeling campaigns since 2016 and starring in Taylor Swift’s “Lavender Haze” music video, has spoken about how hard it is to break out of the mainstream, even when you have huge opportunities like working with Swift has.

“It feels like I’ve been doing it all the time [had] to push to say, ‘Hey, I’m here and I’ve been here,'” Ashley told LOGO TV host Johnny Sibilly last year.

Anderson also points to the political climate that has driven anti-trans legislation across the country; At least 45 laws have been passed targeting this community.

Still, some trans people are making sure their representation exists. Anderson examines the career of Brian Michael Smith, who after years of working in Hollywood decided to become better known as an out trans actor. He’s a star on FOX 911: Lonely Star series and was named to People’s 2021 “Sexiest Man Alive” list – the first for a transmasculine person.

“We’re in a beautiful moment where we’re seeing a lot more transmasculine people being able to carve out a space for themselves in the mainstream, whether it’s a Brian Michael story, whether it’s Marval, whether it’s Elliot Page.” Anderson said.

Rex continues to be vocal about his (and his transmasculine colleagues’) role in the industry, regardless of the current situation.

“We are ready for roles, whether cis or trans. Trans men are ready for roles where our identities are not the focus,” he said.

A bridge for transsexuals

But for his one-hour comedy show “REXODUS” he opens a conversation with the audience about his trans identity and his spirituality. Comedy, he said, is a revolution. His exhibition is the culmination or an extension of his overall art curation, live performance and acting work. He is the main character and sole focus of the plot – something that is foreign to him as a community builder.

“I can reflect through humor and then invite people to join in on the joke,” Rex said. “Especially because a lot of people who might come to the show may have never met someone like me or seen someone like me on stage.”