The Department of Communication, Film, and Theatre at Eastern Connecticut State University held a one-night sold out performance of “Summerhill,” an original play written and directed by senior theatre major Finn McCarty. The play, described by McCarty as a “tragicomedy,” was performed on March 28 in the Fine Arts Instructional Center Delmonte Bernstein Studio Theatre and told the story of two brothers exploring themes of identity and generational curses.

“The play implements Indigenous North American myths and legends. Madness, cannibalism, shapeshifters, and talking animals are common themes within those stories that have been passed down through centuries,” said McCarty.

“Its concept is fundamentally based on my experience growing up as a trans man and the ‘cannibalistic’ tendencies of the people around me. In our modern society, it’s nearly impossible for trans narratives not to be twisted into political controversy.”

The story follows Max (Kai Amann ‘26) and Shane (Connor Meyer ‘28) Summerhill as they travel from Canada to Tennessee to live with their aunt Sarah (Melissa Snow ‘26), an austere southern Baptist woman living in a conservative community.

“Although Sarah was a rough character to play, I enjoyed being able to bring to life the show that a friend of mine has been working on for years,” said Snow. “The rehearsals were also great. I enjoyed working with Finn as a director, and everyone in the cast was wonderful, both talented and the nicest people I’ve ever met.”

Max struggles to find acceptance as a transgender male within his new environment, while he and his brother are simultaneously trying to find a back door to their family curse: ancient Native ancestors demand that the youngest brother of each generation be sacrificed to satiate Swiftrunner, a Native American demon (Almi Morales ‘27).

“In ‘Summerhill,’ the ancestors are a metaphor for generational trauma,” said McCarty. “The supernatural talents Max unintentionally harms people with, he blames on himself, because he was taught that his life’s purpose is to sacrifice himself to a spirit with an insatiable appetite for human flesh.”

As Max endures passive-aggressive remarks about his identity from his aunt, he forms a reluctant friendship with his sympathetic cousin Jeanie (Nora Mange ‘28) and her best friend, a transgender male named Jay (Didismay Yedra ‘26). Max’s presence in a more conservative household also forces his cousin Riley (Meghan Wrobel ‘25) to confront their identity, which they hide under a thick layer of overcompensation and resentment for Max.

“My experience with Summerhill was deeply immersive — everyone put in time and effort since the very beginning and I feel lucky to have been part of the whole process,” said Yedra. “Multiple aspects of the story were meaningful to me, and it was the greatest pleasure to be able to play Jay and honor him in that way.”

“It’s drilled into us that to be trans is a choice, one that is foolish and dangerous and that will get you eaten alive,” said McCarty. “It’s a lonely feeling, but it isn’t hopeless. For every one person that spews hatred simply because they don’t understand somebody, there are five more people who are empathetic and supportive. To be transgender is far from a brand-new experience. It is isolating to pretend like it is.”

The spirits that accompany Swiftrunner, a crow (Bonnie Mentz ‘26), a quail (Shannon Carbonell ‘27), a caribou, and a rabbit, guide the audience through the duration of the play, feeding off the characters’ energy and interpersonal strife.

“The role of Quail is one of the ancestors of Max and Shane that represents youth,” said Carbonell. “Thus, in my portrayal of Quail, I included moments of dancing, playing with my skirt, a tantrum, and overall, more childlike behavior while also being super creepy.”

Following a tragedy with Jay, the Tates and the Summerhill brothers are forced to undergo the ritual to appease their ancestors, but not without Shane attempting to sacrifice himself for his brother. The show ends with Swiftrunner hurling a tomahawk at Max, with the characters’ fates left uncertain.

“There are forces acting as the foundation for our issues, someone else pulling the strings even when the choices we make are our own,” said McCarty. “This experience is one I’ll never forget, and the story of the Summerhill family is far from over.”