Cercle Hermaphroditos

by Shualee Cook

In 1895 New York, trans man Ambrose Carlton finds a rare opportunity to beat the restrictively gendered system around him when he meets Laureline Reeves, founder of an underground social club for trans femmes known as the Cercle Hermaphroditos. Ambrose hopes to find a lady at the club he can legally marry, then play the roles expected of them in public while pursuing the life they want in private. But finding...

In 1895 New York, trans man Ambrose Carlton finds a rare opportunity to beat the restrictively gendered system around him when he meets Laureline Reeves, founder of an underground social club for trans femmes known as the Cercle Hermaphroditos. Ambrose hopes to find a lady at the club he can legally marry, then play the roles expected of them in public while pursuing the life they want in private. But finding the proper match becomes more difficult than he expected, especially after the club is raided by police and the fragile safe place Laureline has created threatens to break apart for good. Based on true historical events.

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Cercle Hermaphroditos

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation: Cercle Hermaphroditos

    Playwrights Foundation congratulates CERCLE HERMAPHRODITOS as an Honorable Mention for the 45th Bay Area Playwrights Festival in 2022. This play has the potential to use a bygone era as a launching point for discussing trans identity in a meaningful and nuanced way. Our Literary Council advocated strongly because we were moved by this joyful, hysterical, deeply touching, and starkly real theatrical narrative, as it lovingly renders a community of characters. This play asks, "What did trans happiness and community look like in the late 19th century?" We encourage producers to consider this...

    Playwrights Foundation congratulates CERCLE HERMAPHRODITOS as an Honorable Mention for the 45th Bay Area Playwrights Festival in 2022. This play has the potential to use a bygone era as a launching point for discussing trans identity in a meaningful and nuanced way. Our Literary Council advocated strongly because we were moved by this joyful, hysterical, deeply touching, and starkly real theatrical narrative, as it lovingly renders a community of characters. This play asks, "What did trans happiness and community look like in the late 19th century?" We encourage producers to consider this work for further collaboration and production. #BAPF45

  • Gina Femia: Cercle Hermaphroditos

    I love this play so much; Shualee is gifted at farce and creating memorable, fun, deep characters. I love how big and epic this play is and can't wait to see it produced and become part of our theatrical canon. Shualee is a bold playwright with a necessary and urgent voice. Produce this work!

    I love this play so much; Shualee is gifted at farce and creating memorable, fun, deep characters. I love how big and epic this play is and can't wait to see it produced and become part of our theatrical canon. Shualee is a bold playwright with a necessary and urgent voice. Produce this work!

  • Samuel Achilles Edwards: Cercle Hermaphroditos

    Wonderfully written with delightful characters, fascinating history, and a very loving look at trans life and community. I keep thinking about this wonderful piece, and would gladly recommend it to anyone. I hope I get to see it performed in person one day!

    Wonderfully written with delightful characters, fascinating history, and a very loving look at trans life and community. I keep thinking about this wonderful piece, and would gladly recommend it to anyone. I hope I get to see it performed in person one day!

View all 10 recommendations

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Breaking the Binary, Year 2022
  • Type Reading, Organization Parity Productions, Year 2020
  • Type Reading, Organization National Queer Theater, Year 2018

Awards

  • Parity Commission
    Parity Productions
    Winner
    2019
  • Princess Grace Award
    Semi-Finalist
    2019