Galathea

by John Lyly

One-night-only event: 7:00 PM on Monday, December 7, 2026, at the Zaffere Library Event Space, Stevenson University, Owings Mills, Maryland.

Students from the ENG 204: ShakesQueer class have produced this Elizabethan comedy in association with the OrangeMite Shakespeare Company as a community service project. The production features theatre students, english students, and service scholars.

What happens when two girls disguise themselves as boys and unexpectedly fall in love?

Sounds a bit like Shakespeare, right? Actually, this is the work that inspired Shakespeare.

Galathea by John Lyly is a romantic comedy filled with mistaken identities, mischievous gods, mythology, and a love story that challenges the rules of its time. As the two young women navigate their feelings, they must also face the expectations of their families and the world around them. 

Our production is part of Stevenson University’s ShakesQueer ENG 204 class, a special topics course that explores gender, sexuality, and queer representation in literature and theater. Through rehearsals, group collaboration, and creative interpretation, we are bringing this centuries-old play to life for our campus community. Join us at our December showcase to experience a story that blends comedy and romance with questions about identity, acceptance, and love.