September 14th, 2018
SAFA’S STORY COMES BACK FOR THE FALL - TOURING THROUGH SAN DIEGO SCHOOLS FROM OCT. 1st - 7th 2018
Safa's Story is a world premiere play for family audiences, presented in partnership by two emerging theater companies -- Blindspot Collective and Bocón -- both of which produce socially engaged work for underserved or under-represented audiences.
Based on the real experiences of a San Diego native, Safa’s Story is an interactive performance for families and children ages 8-14. Safa is an African American fifth grader with a big imagination and an even bigger heart. Through storytelling and music inspired by Safa's Zimbabwean ancestry, audiences meet her caring mother, kind teacher, and irresistible friends -- as well as a new classmate who creates deepening divides between Safa and her peers. Designed to allow young people to consider the complex mechanisms of racism, difference, and prejudice, the story initially ends in heartbreak before audiences embark on an empowering journey to alter the outcomes of the play itself.
May 23, 2018
THE MAGIC IN THIS SOUL BY BLINDSPOT COLLECTIVE
This world premiere production fuses music, movement, and the exact words and experiences of real people to explore prejudice and discrimination in America. Based on over 100 interviews collected in the past year, this verbatim play introduces audiences to a multi-racial teenager, a black woman with disabilities, a gay, Muslim immigrant from Egypt, and many other distinct, complex, and deeply meaningful characters. The Magic in this Soul illuminates our similarities and differences while celebrating the resilience of the human spirit
The Magic in this Soul is written and directed by Blake McCarty, based in part on a commission from New Village Arts. The production features multiple artists and actors who were a part of last summer's award-winning production of Untold.
The show includes mature themes and language, and is recommended for ages 12 & up.
For tickets and more information click here.
March 14th, 2018
BEAR SPRAY @ THE LYCEUM
Gay Men's Spiritual Retreat presents "Bearspray the Musical"
May 12
Directed by Michael Anthony
Written by Bill Kerlin
90 minutes w/ intermission
It’s 1963 in Mimosa Heights, and Tanqueray Tonic has only one desire – to get into rehab with the nicest drunks in town and dance on the Corky Poppers Show! "Tangy" and her best friend, Pinot, get sober and find a life beyond their wildest dreams, including sober moms and dreamy boyfriends. But that dream isn’t for everyone, because Velvet and Amstel Von Hammer use bear spray to keep bears out of rehab. Tangy and her friends meet Low Bottom Bessie, the sober and fabulous host of Drag Day, who leads them all as they attempt to integrate rehab!
Orchestra tickets include VIP pre-show reception with hosted hors d'oeuvres starting at 6:30pm.
February 8, 2018
KCIII @ the Coronado Playhouse!
The most glamorous and photographed family in the world, the British royal family, seen through a modern-Shakespearean lens.
The Queen is Dead. Long Live the King. Queen Elizabeth II is dead and Prince Charles-after a lifetime of waiting-prepares to finally ascend to the throne. One family holds the future of Great Britain in its hands. But what do Prince William, Princess Kate, and Prince Harry really think about their father’s ascension?
The Prime Minister proposes legislation designed to restrict the freedom of the press, which Charles opposes, subverting the understood rules of British democracy. Defying centuries of tradition, Charles boldly attempts to reassert the crown’s power, landing himself – and his country – in a royal mess.
Exploring the themes of power and betrayal, Mike Bartlett’s blank-verse, internationally acclaimed play, King Charles III, is a Shakespearean-style take on the future of the British Royal Family, skillfully revealing the living, breathing, nuanced flesh and blood people beneath the crowns. A smash Broadway and West End hit, King Charles III was nominated for 6 Olivier Awards, 5 Tony Awards, 3 Drama Desk Awards, winning Best Play in London and was recently made into a BBC/PBS Masterpiece Special starring Tim Piggott-Smith in the title role.
December 30th, 2017
AT THE OnStage Playhouse FEB. 23rd - 25th 2018
Safa's Story is a world premiere play for family audiences, presented in partnership by two emerging theater companies -- Blindspot Collective and Bocón -- both of which produce socially engaged work for underserved or under-represented audiences.
Based on the real experiences of a San Diego native, Safa’s Story is an interactive performance for families and children ages 8-14. Safa is an African American fifth grader with a big imagination and an even bigger heart. Through storytelling and music inspired by Safa's Zimbabwean ancestry, audiences meet her caring mother, kind teacher, and irresistible friends -- as well as a new classmate who creates deepening divides between Safa and her peers. Designed to allow young people to consider the complex mechanisms of racism, difference, and prejudice, the story initially ends in heartbreak before audiences embark on an empowering journey to alter the outcomes of the play itself.
Created by local artist and activist Catherine Hanna Schrock, the show is based on Augusto Boal's model of Forum Theater. A genre of performance rarely seen in San Diego, Forum Theater was developed so that audiences might explore tangible ways to change the world we live in. During the show, audiences are challenged to find new ways of supporting and empowering the central characters, encouraging young people to act on behalf of themselves or their peers when they experience injustice. This timely -- and ultimately hopeful play -- offers children and families an opportunity to navigate this difficult but important conversation during a time of increasing division and discord.
November 17th, 2017
When I was in Florida this past August I got to hang out with a lot of friends. I bounced around from south Florida, Palm Beach area, to Gainesville, Jacksonville, and even Tampa. I got to jam with some old band mates from different musical projects. I even worked with a handful of them at Thread Pit, Inc. (a t-shirt pressing company) for several weeks.
I crashed with my buddy Randy, while in Gainesville, who also plays in this sick band, Dikembe. Lately, they've been doing different cover songs with guest artist and friends. So while I was in town, I got the opportunity to record a cover with them. They had already decided what cover they wanted to do, "Frances Farmer Will Have Revenge On Seattle" by Nirvana. I was super stoked to play such an awesome song with such talented and kind individuals. I'm definitely lucky! So, yeah, check it out and if you've never listened to Dikembe you most definitely should check them out!!
September 15, 2017
Playing @ the OB Playhouse Nov. 25th - Dec. 17th Click Here to Buy Tickets!
OB Playhouse and Different Stages presents
THE EIGHT: REINDEER MONOLOGUES by Jeff Goode
dark, dark Christmas comedy. Scandal erupts at the North Pole when one of Santa's eight tiny reindeer accuses him of sexual harassment.
As mass media descends upon the event, the other members of the sleigh team demand to share their perspectives, and a horrific tale of corruption and perversion emerges, which seems to implicate everyone from the littlest elf to the tainted Saint himself.
With each deer's confession, the truth behind the shocking allegations becomes clearer and clearer. ...and murkier and murkier.
If you thought Santaland Diaries produced by Different Stages and the OB Playhouse last Christmas (2016) was the ultimate in sassy, smart-ass holiday entertainment for adults then you haven’t seen The Eight: The Reindeer Monologues by Jeff Goode. Produced by OB Playhouse and Different Stages with direction by Jerry Pilato this XXXmas offering is a hilarious take on the reindeer who power the sleigh that brings toys to all good boys and girls plays.
August 3rd, 2017
JAMES BERARDO, TRANSPLANTS, & SPAGHETTI BIRTHDAY PRODUCTIONS
Transplants is the story of young nonprofessionals, James and Drew, who happen to be the kin to major corporate magnates. Their surprising friendship to Dan, who comes from a working class blue collar township in middle America, appears to help them navigate the ever-changing world around them. James and Drew met Dan in college under very peculiar terms. Nevertheless, they have bonded and become an unlikely, and at times toxic, trio.
Spaghetti Birthday Productions is interested in making fun, goofy, comedic shorts like this:
June 17, 2017
“How many Stories go untold, how many of yours?”
UNTOLD weaves music, movement, and excerpts from over one hundred interviews to explore the mental health crisis in America, where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate 46% of the population will struggle with mental illness at some point during their lifetime. This evocative meditation on hope and resiliency marks the San Diego debut of Blindspot Collective.
This show is the culmination of more than a year’s work in partnership with local schools and organizations. In collaboration with several San Diego high schools – including the Army and Navy Academy, Canyon Crest Academy, Coronado School of the Arts, and Sage Creek High School – the creators of UNTOLD collected interviews with social workers and therapists; individuals struggling with addiction, eating disorders, and personality disorders; veterans battling PTSD; and survivors of suicide, all conducted and recorded by local students. Stories from those interviews lay the groundwork for a show that provocatively portrays these individuals’ bravery, vulnerability, and resiliency.
The show includes mature themes and language, and is recommended for ages 12 & up.
UNTOLD arrives to the San Diego International Fringe Festival after a workshop presentation at New York University, where it was showcased as part of the International Forum on Ethnodrama.
Broadway World Article Click Here.
June 7th, 2017
"I'm Telling You Benson"
This snarky and spunky production is coming in hot! Come check out Pre-Production which is set in a residential home on June 16th and it's FREE! It is going to be a party and it may be a bit awkward yet poignant at the same time.
This production is about a family dealing with their unique personalities and individualistic sentiments. Everyone should be able to fuck whoever it is that pleases them, right?
May 25th, 2017
"You know what Kayleen, Jesus Christ, you know"
Kayleen and Dougie are friends whose lives collide, split and intersect over a 30 year span. This revealing and funny play is explored as an ensemble, with a company inhabiting these two characters who, despite some bloodshed, try to make their way to each other.
This UCSD production of GPI is very unique though. An ensemble of actors portraying different years of this relationship as a means of drama therapy. It's going to be fun, funny, and heartbreaking all in one turn. Come check it out!
For tickets click here.
May 6th, 2017
I got the wonderful opportunity to Assistant Direct this beautiful show which is being performed at the Wagner New Play Festival!
Wednesday, May 10th @ 7:30pm
Thursday, May 11th @ 7:30pm
Friday, May 12th @ 7:30pm
Thursday, May 18th @ 7:30pm
Friday, May 19th @ 7:30pm
John and his daughter Caitlyn are birders. As they scan the skies over their backyard in suburban Maryland looking for elusive birds, years go by. Relationships begin and end. Children grow up and parents die. The climate and the world change in small and vast ways. BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA takes a close look at the relationship of a father and daughter over the course of a decade as they struggle to understand the parts of one another that defy understanding.
March 8th, 2017
"In a family-friendly, fun-for-all-ages play, Anansi, the spider, wants to own all the stories in the world. Nyame, the sky god, has the stories and is willing to give them to Anansi ... for a steep price. When Sheri, the firefly, gets caught in Anansi's web, she quickly figures out how to help him on his quest (and perhaps save herself at the same time)! With Sheri's help, Anansi goes on a journey to find Nyame's three items. Along the way, he finds out a thing or two about himself and the ways in which we are all connected, like the complex tangle of a spider's web. An ensemble provides stories, music, singing and dancing as the two adventurers help Anansi fulfill his lifelong wish."
For the full Broadway World article click here.
January 12th, 2017
The Beginning of the end
Come see two original one acts in one night:
Tickets are free!
Friday 1/20 at 830pm
Saturday 1/21 at 2pm and 8pm
Arthur Wagner Theater located in Galbraith Hall Room 157
U USED 2 CALL ME
Written by Sam Occhino
Directed by Wylie Simpson
Hotline Bling was a song that created a movement in popular culture, and the response it received changed the face of 2015. Fans wanted to dress like Drake, dance like Drake, and above all BE Drake. When the fate of the humanity is placed in one man's hands, he has to make one choice: save the world, or never play Hotline Bling again. U Used 2 Call Me is a story of tragedy intertwined with love, sacrifice, and comedy- one that Drake would surely be proud of. Hotline Bling may have changed 2015, but could it go far enough to end it as well?
&
ERASER
Written by Wylie Simpson
Directed by Sam Occhino
Eraser, previously titled The Darkness Within, explores the relationship between four coworkers at an eraser manufacturing facility during a power outage. A play set entirely in the dark that mixes together visual media, music, dancing and puppetry to ask the question, "how do you act when no one can see you? "
Production Stage Manager: Keili Fernando
Scenic & Lighting Design: Jake Cushnir
Sound Design: Kinsey Green
Assistant Stage Manager: Jacqueline Chan
Guitarist: Milo B. Strong
Featuring the acting talents of Sarah Prentiss, Paloma Dominguez, Andrew Walters, and Ryan Bradford.