Sunny Days at The VORTEX

The VORTEX presents the world premiere of Sunny Days, a play by Reina Hardy. 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. 

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. 

Authors

• Clifford Grey
• Jean Schwartz
• William Carey Duncan