The Mendocino College Theatre Arts Department in association with the college Art Department and Circus MeCCA will present the world premiere of Wild Fire, a powerful new play by Mendocino College professor, novelist, and playwright Jody Gehrman. The play, which transports audiences into the future of Mendocino County, is a disturbing look at the cataclysmic future which awaits us if we fail to adequately address our human-caused climate crisis. According to director Reid Edelman, “it is also an engaging personal story, following a group of interwoven characters and their descendants. The play looks at sacred and artistic elements which define our humanity and make our survival as a species meaningful and worth fighting for.” The play involves various local artistic and multi-cultural themes, including Pomo dancing, Mexican dance/arts, and circus performance. The cast includes a diverse group of performers including college students and community members.

Wild Fire will run October 18-27 in Mendocino College’s Center Theatre at the Ukiah Campus. Performances run for two weekends only. Show times are Friday and Saturday October 18 and 19 at 7:30 PM, and Thursday, Friday and Saturday October 24, 25 and 26 at 7:30 PM, and Sunday October 27 at 2 PM. Tickets ($20 general; $15 students and seniors) are available at the Mendocino Book Company, the Mendocino College Bookstore, and online at www.ArtsMendocino.org. The performance on Thursday October 24 is a special discount night, with all tickets costing only $10. The opening night performance on Friday October 18 will include a free gala reception starting at 6:30 PM. Audiences are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. 

Wild Fire is presented as part of the Mendocino College Phoenix Project, artists confronting human-caused climate change. Audiences will have an opportunity to view art installations, both in the gallery and outdoors on the campus, created in collaboration with survivors of the 2017 Redwood Complex Fire. 

This Mendocino College production showcases the emerging talents of Mendocino College conservatory cohort students as well as other college students and local community actors. The production’s impressive scenery, lighting, costumes, and sound design are also being created by Mendocino College students under the direction of faculty and staff members Steve Decker, Kathy Dingman-Katz, and David Wolf.  The production also includes an original puppet created by Dell Linney and video projections by Ilena Yeru Pegan. The production manager is Gary Hudson and the Stage Manager is Sarah Jansen.

For information, contact Reid Edelman at (707) 468-3172 or visit /the-arts/theatre.

PRODUCTION PHOTOS ATTACHED:
Photo 1:  Eddie Haehl, Jim Renick, Charo Renick, Dakota Laiwa-McKay, Raquel Britton, Eddie Bear, and Chris Raschke in the Mendocino College production of Jody Gehrman’s Wild Fire.   (Photo by Ilena Yeru Pegan)

Photo 2:  The ensemble in the Mendocino College production of Jody Gehrman’s Wild Fire.   (Photo by Ilena Yeru Pegan)

Photo 3:  Schuyler Marcier (Eli) and Leonello Simmons (Owen) in the Mendocino College production of Jody Gehrman’s Wild Fire.   (Photo by Ilena Yeru Pegan)

Photo 4:  Leonello Simmons (Owen) Brittani McKemy (Jessica) in the Mendocino College production of Jody Gehrman’s Wild Fire. (Photo by Ilena Yeru Pegan)