The University of La Verne Department of Theatre Arts
and Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Student Union
present

Hidden: A Gender

by Kate Bornstein

DISCLAIMER: Kate Bornstein will NOT be performing in this production.

LA VERNE, CA....The University of La Verne Department of Theatre Arts, co-sponsored by ULV's Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Student Union, present "Hidden: A Gender", a play by Kate Bornstein. The play promises to "convince you of the need to define, enhance, and defend your own gender identities." The play provokes thought and discussion on the issues of feminism, homosexuality, transgenderism, transsexuality, and religious and racial bigotry.

Kate Bornstein is a respected playwright, performance artist, author and a male-to-female transsexual. Her work pushes forward the cutting edge of gender politics, seeking to break down many of the walls created by bi-polarity of gender. Solo performance works include The Opposite Sex Is Neither and Virtually Yours, both which toured the United States. She has also written several books including Nearly Roadkill, co-written with Caitlin Sullivan and Gender Outlaw. Gender Outlaw takes the reader along Kate Bornstein's journey and search for her own gender identity. "I know that I'm not a man...and I've come to the conclusion that I'm probably not a woman, either....The trouble is, we're living in a world that insists we be one or the other-a world that doesn't bother to tell us exactly what one or the other is."

"Hidden: A Gender" questions, explores, magnifies and explodes the gender stereotypes that western culture holds up as truths and naturally co-existing. Through transgressively gendered performances, eight actors converge on the battlefield (or is it a playground) called gender and bring to life the struggles of Herculine Barbin, an eighteenth century woman with ambiguous genitalia later forced to assume a male role in society, and Herman Amberstone, a present-day male-to-female transsexual who's life experiences are remarkably similar to those of the author. Both Herman and Herculine fight through the conflict between the inner self that needs to be expressed and the artifical boundaries that modern culture covertly forces everyone to fit into. Part of what they learn is that "there is no acceptance for their kind-not one hundred years ago, and certainly not today." "Hidden: A Gender" promises to be a real gender bender and a gender blender.

The performance is directed by Mark Pietrzak, 1991 graduate of La Verne and theatre arts department Techincal Director. He designs locally for live theatre, dance, and film, having worked with Inland Valley Repertory, Vanguard Theatre Ensemble, Theatre 40, Grove Shakespeare Festival, Alhambra Community Theatre Group, Long Beach Community Playhouse, Frank Novak Productions, and Inland Pacific Ballet. Cast members include ULV students Chryseis Alexander, Jamie Bigornia, S. Baker Eatmon, Jared Ellis, Robert Northrop, Kelly Young, and La Verne area resident Learmon Walker. Lighting design by Andrea Gould.

Performance times are December 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 at 7:30pm at the Dailey Theatre's Cabaret Stage. Admission is free, but a $2 donation is appreciated. Post-play discussions on issues raised by the play to follow the performance. Dailey Theatre is located on the University of La Verne campus on the corner of Second and C streets in the single-peaked white tent. The University of La Verne is located at 1950 Third Street, La Verne, CA 91750. Additional information available by calling (909) 593-3511 ext. 4FUN.