Sunny Days
by The Vortex

Aug. 22 - Sep. 14
Thursdays-Sundays

SUNNY DAYS by Reina Hardy begins in Kosovo, where two representatives from a beloved children’s television program pit the magic of puppetry against centuries of war. It moves to the detention centers in Hutto, TX, where a cuddly character and the man who voices him might be the only ones who can bring a girl back from the brink. Finally, the story lands in a half-drowned world where another girl sets out on a quest for the home she’s always imagined. 

SUNNY DAYS is a play about how we try and so often fail to make the world we want for our children, and how we get up once again every generation, on our way to wear the air is sweet. 

Directed by Rudy Ramirez

Puppet Design by Caroline Reck

 

 This new play tackles issues of human rights and climate crisis while incorporating multiple forms of puppetry that highlight the necessity of imagination in creating a brighter future. The three-part structure of Sunny Days charts a progression from a realistic past to a surreal future. 

 

Review by Victoria Schwarz, Austin Broadway World, September 13, 2024

Review by Elise Krentzel, Sun News Austin, September 22, 2024

 

Hardy takes inspiration from the Sesame Workshop, an organization that has excelled at sparking the imaginations of children while imparting gentle lessons of education, curiosity, and compassion. (“Sunny Days” is the “Sesame Street” theme song.) 

 

 

In Texas, the consequences of climate change have become painfully apparent in recent years with cataclysmic floods, deadly winter storms, severe ice storms, and record-breaking heat. Simultaneously, migration across the Texas-Mexico border––a human rights concern addressed in Sunny Days––has also been impacted by climate change, as people from Central and South America relocate to escape both violence and agricultural scarcity. Sunny Days posits compassionate education as the starting point, and The VORTEX offers education and activism as essential components of this production. 

The VORTEX has previously presented critically acclaimed world premieres by Reina Hardy: Annie Jump and the Library of Heaven (winner of 7 B. Iden Payne Awards including Outstanding Live Production in 2021), Changelings, and Stars and Barmen.

Starring Michael Galvan, Jelena Stojiljkovic Rhynes, Madison Paloma, Stephanie Delk, and Trey Deason.

 

Directed by Rudy Ramirez.

 

Scenic and Puppet Design: Ann Marie Gordon. Lighting Design: Patrick Anthony. Costume Design: Maddy Lamb.

 

Sound Design: Johann Solo. Projections by Sophia Baker. Dramatugy: Deb Streusand. Assistant Director: Olivia Rose McCain.

 

Stage Manager: Insha Iqbar. Garbarge by Lydia Giangregorio. Shadow Puppets by Melissa McKnight. Additional Puppets by Jelena Stojiljkovic Rhynes.

 

Activist Toolkit by Penelope Quetzal Wright-Cotera. Director of Education and Social Justice Activation: Jasmine Games. Financial Director: Krystle Cline.

 

Managing Director: Melissa McKnight. Producing Artistic Director: Bonnie Cullum.

 

Sunny Days is funded in part by VORTEX Repertory Company, the National Endowment for the Arts, Save Our Springs Alliance, Six Square-Austin’s Black Cultural District, the City of Austin Economic  Development Department, and the Texas Commission on the Arts. 

 

The VORTEX Mission: We conjure urgent, unashamed art to create action in a shifting age. We embrace diverse communities, break down barriers, and elevate inclusive discourse from our cultural harbor in Austin, Texas. We enliven humanity with magical green new theatre at our Butterfly Bar and Sanctuary.

The VORTEX Core Values: Our core values are encompassed by the Pentacle of Integrity: Transformation, Magic, Community, Diversity, and Earth. Integrity lives at our core. We engage in radical transformation through edge-walking artistic creations and innovations. Magic emanates from our cultural harbor, engaging Spirit. Our space and our culture support expanding circles of inclusive community. Our art reflects diversity of people and voices from the global majority. Sustainability and environmentalism center Earth at our foundation.

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Sunny Days
by Reina Hardy
The Vortex

 

August 22-September 14, 2024

Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 pm

Sundays 6 pm

Industry Night Wednesday, September 11 8 pm

ASL-interpreted Saturday, August  24 at 8 pm   (Free for Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences)

Livestream  Thursday, September 12  at 8 pm

 

The VORTEX, 2307 Manor Rd., Austin, TX 78722

TICKETS:  $39-$15

$39 Benefactor

$29 Supporter

$15 Discount/Child/Artist/Student/Senior

www.vortexrep.org  or 512-478-5282

Reserved Seating. Advanced Reservations Recommended.  

Blue Star Theatre: Discount tickets for Military, Veterans, and their families.

Thursday only: 2-for-1 admission with donation of 2 cans for SAFE Austin 

Radical Rush Free Tickets: Limited free tickets for each performance in the spirit of sustainability, accessibility, and the gift economy. Radical Rush tickets released one hour before the show--in-person only. 

 

[poster image by Melissa McKnight]