Company in the News May-2021

See what PlayGround Writers, Alumni, and Company Members are up to as we prepare for the PlayGround Zoom Fest this month!

Christopher Robin Magee and The Moonrisers are engaging in some spring cleaning and that means taking a long look at some of the unused, undeveloped and experimental scripts we’ve written over the last year. With a little love and a little polish we think we can put together a fine night of theater for everyone. Because we love mixing metaphors we will be ritually resurrecting our long dead format; the Variety show. A six scene undead creature of quarantine induced madness is on the way, set to arrive in your home, on your screen, May 4th and 6th. No one is safe. For tickets, use this link!

Ruben Grijalva’s new play Shoot Me When… is streaming May 1 – 22nd at SF Playhouse. Filmed on stage at the Playhouse, the tragicomic production reunites Grijalva, director Susi Damilamo, and PlayGround company member Melissa Ortiz, who together launched Anna Considers Mars at PlayGround in 2019. Go here for more info!

Michael J. Asberry is excited to be a part of the Aurora Theatre’s Audio Production of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, streaming until May 21; A.C.T.’s Zoom Production of Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker, streaming from April 26 through May 2, and also in the film, “Free Byrd” on Amazon.

Will Dao will be with The Oregon Shakespeare Festival who will be streaming SNOW IN MIDSUMMER. It will feature Will as Rocket Wu. SNOW IN MIDSUMMER is available on OSF’s O! digital platform from May 3 – May 29. For more info click this link.

Molly Olis Krost‘s play What We Found is a finalist for the 10th Annual National Jewish Playwriting Contest. What We Found will also be a part of The Whole Megillah – Jewish New Play Festival at San Diego Rep with a reading on May 30th. They also wrote an episode of Awesome Theatre’s podcast “Six Things God Hates”. Molly’s episode “The Revealing Roll” airs May 13th. For more info on the 10th Annual National Jewish Playwriting Contest please go here! And use this link for more info on the Jewish New Play Festival. Lastly, more info on the podcast can be found here.

Katja Rivera is directing SAPIENCE by Diana Burbano in May, performing on May 22 & 23 in SF PlayGround’s ZoomFest.

Lisa Gaye Thompson has been appearing in monthly shows with playwrights on both coasts who write plays in 45 minutes based on audience suggestions followed by mostly-brilliant, always-fun cold readings. Next show—May 24th at 4:15 PST. Register here to participate on Zoom or watch it live on YouTube.

Jerome Joseph Gentes, a PlayGround Board Member and LA Writers’ Pool member, devised and produced LINES OF MOVEMENT, LINES OF MODERNISM, a live immersive event created especially for Modernism Week 2021. The event featured local Bird Singers from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, dance from Nickerson-Rossi Dance, storytelling, and a tour of the mid-century showcase 1971 Butler-Jaffe House on the Indian Canyons Golf Course. 120 guests safely experienced a lovely night of sound, sight, sensation, style, and story.

Trevor Allen’s play The Creature is being produced as a podcast by Dragon Theatre Company in Redwood City. Also he is collaborating with Hypokrit Productions NYC on a screen adaptation of his stage play Lolita Roadtrip. Use this link to learn more about The Creature.

Ross Peter Nelson’s short “Granny’s Shack” has been produced as an audio play by One Night Stand Theatre as part of their Bad Bedtime Stories. It is available now. Click here to learn more!

George Maguire recently shot a National Commercial for InnovAGE.