LOCH SHELDRAKE — The SUNY Sullivan Theater Arts Program is proud to present Wild Thing, an exciting performance of Harley Erdman’s first-ever English translation of Luis Vélez de Guevara’s 1613 play La Serrana de la Vera. This long-forgotten tragedy, translated by Erdman in 2019 as The Mountain Girl from La Vera, has come back into focus in recent years because of its extraordinary protagonist, Gila, a peasant girl who calls herself a man and takes fierce pride in doing things men do. Gila (from Erdman’s introduction on his translation) “has been variously described as feminist, homosexual, bisexual, lesbian, transsexual, hybrid, queer, and transgender…It may be that the contemporary category “transgender” offers the best frame for Gila - that is, someone at odds with the gender assigned to them at birth.” Highly relevant today, Wild Thing features broad comedy, even slapstick, but in the end veers into violence and tragedy.

Wild Thing opens Friday, October 8, at 8 p.m. Performances continue Saturday, October 9, at 8 p.m., Sunday, October 10, at 2 pm, and Wednesday–Saturday, October 13–16, at 8 p.m. The production will be performed outdoors in front of SUNY Sullivan’s Hope Farm. There are no rain dates. Patrons can park in parking lot #1, and walk to the grassy area in front of the performance area. Please bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on. Masks are required for patrons viewing the performance. Audience members are encouraged to wear Renaissance faire garments. For more information, contact Jessica López-Barkl at jbarkl@sunysullivan.edu.

Wild Thing/La Serrana de la Vera is directed by Jessica López-Barkl, associate professor of theater and speech at SUNY Sullivan and assistant directed by Willahna Burdick, a founding member of Howdy Killers and New Visions Inclusive Performing Arts Company, two emerging theater companies comprised of theater artists that have been a part of SUNY Sullivan’s Theater Program.

The 2021–22 SUNY Sullivan Theater season continues November 5–13 with, Blackdamp, by Bradley Diuguid (adjunct professor), directed by Nick López (adjunct professor). The play is about a young adult with autism living in a rural area.

Other productions for the SUNY Sullivan Theater Program 2021–22 season include:

Rosemary with Ginger, by Edward Allan Baker, directed by Nick López (adjunct professor) November 19–21, 2021, Friday-Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 2 pm.

World AIDS Day performance of scenes and songs dealing with HIV/AIDS. December 1, 2021. Curated and organized by Callie Reardon, Theater Arts alumni.

The Vagina Monologues, by Eve Ensler, coordinated by Jessica López-Barkl, Payton Powell (Theater Arts alumni), and Janine Grim Bukovinsky (Theater Arts alumni). February 11–12, 2022.

Next to Normal, book/lyrics by Brian Yorkey, music by Tom Kitt, directed by Nick López, music directed by Leon Hilfstein and Brandon Sparkman, featuring Jessica López-Barkl and Billy Steeves (Theater Arts alumni and Equity Actor). March 30–April 9, 2022. This play deals with bipolar disorder and will open on World Bipolar Day.

Thank You / I'm Sorry*, by Brianna Worden and Janna Walter. Music composed by Brandon Sparkman. Directed by Jessica López-Barkl. May 6–14, 2022. This play is the first play about Neurofibromatosis, and a world premiere opening during Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month.

*World Premiere.

For more information, contact Jessica López-Barkl at jbarkl@sunysullivan.edu.