PlayGround presents Season 30

3rd ANNUAL PLAYGROUND
FREE-PLAY FESTIVAL

Aug 9-25, 2024
Live at Potrero Stage + Simulcast
On-Demand thru September

Acknowledging the Legacy of the Land We Inhabit

PlayGround acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush (RAH-my-toosh) Ohlone (oh-LOW-nee) and Lisjan (lih-SHAH-n) Ohlone, the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula and East Bay, respectively. As the past and present Indigenous stewards of this land and in accordance with their traditions, the Ramaytush Ohlone and Lisjan have never ceded, lost, nor forgotten their responsibilities as the caretakers of this place, as well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. We recognize the historic injustice of the forcible removal of the Ohlone people from their ancestral lands, and that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the Ancestors, Elders and Relatives of the Ramaytush and Lisjan Communities and by affirming their sovereign rights as First Peoples. We honor the storytellers of the Ohlone and are grateful for our ability to share and uplift Indigenous stories and those of other historically marginalized communities.

To learn about the legacy of the land you inhabit, visit Native-Land.ca | Our home on native land. To read the complete Land Acknowledgment Policy, click here.

PlayGround’s Anti-Racist Policy

PlayGround recognizes the impact of racial oppression within society and the American Theater and that we have been complicit in White Supremacy culture. Our goal is to co-create safety for our community by identifying and interrupting instances of racism and all forms of oppression when we witness them, through specific actions rooted in the principles of anti-racism and accessibility. In its endeavor to address the implications of our history, PlayGround is committed to its compliance with the following fundamental rights:

• The recognition of inherent dignity and worth of each human being.
• The recognition of equality of all human beings.
• Recognition of rights of ethnic, racial, cultural, linguistic and religious groups.
• Equality and non-discrimination.

PlayGround’s Anti-Racist Policy applies to: all members of the PlayGround community, including employees, independent contractors, volunteers, audience members, donors, and general members of the community.

To read the complete Anti-Racist Policy, click here.

Programs & Cast Lists

August 9 at 8:00 PM, August 11 at 4:00 PM, August 24 at 6:00 PM

THE DEFINITION OF DRAG
Written and featuring SNJV

An audio, visual and movement presentation inspired by Bollywood and Hollywood pop culture. The audience is guided to ponder their own connection to gender and performance through dramatic dance and dialogue presented by SNJV

August 9 at 6:00 PM, August 10 at 4:00 PM, August 11 at 12:00 PM

VENN DIAGRAM
By Margo L. Rofé (PlayGround-LA)
Directed by Lindsay A. Jenkins
Olivia…………….Jacinta Kaumbulu
Vivian……………..DeBorah Sharpe-Taylor
Rebecca…………Carole Swann
Nava……………….Sally Hogarty

Stage Manager/Asst. Director/Lighting Designer………Alexandria Nyx

The 2024 Recipient of The Gina Davidson Memorial Artist Grant made possible by Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble. Supported by The Robey Theatre.

When Olivia is faced with saving her mentally ill mother from homelessness, she reaches out to Rebecca, an old college friend, for support. Though Rebecca has the best intentions, she is also dealing with her own family issues. Despite their history, the two former roommates struggle to overcome biases implanted by external forces. These biases tear at the fabric of their friendship as a crises continues to brew on the horizon. This is a powerful play about the weight of inherited trauma and the impact it has on families and society as a whole.

Special thanks: Isaac and Althea Pachulski, Shauna Marshall and Bob Hirsch, Diane and Mark Tarica, Vickie Williams, and the many others who have been with me on this Venn Diagram journey.

CONTENT WARNING: Please be advised this show contains mention of suicide as well as violence against black bodies.

August 10 at 2:00 PM, August 11 at 6:00 PM, August 18 at 4:00 PM

THE TEST
By Carl Erez and Princess Kannah

What is the purpose of the U.S. Citizenship test, and what bias is ingrained within it? In “The Test,” one applicant must contend with these questions along with the usefulness of AI as they prepare for their citizenship exam using ChatGPT in a post-lockdown world. Watch them contend with these issues and more in this one hour interactive live show!

Special Thanks to Ben Popp, Asta Baker, Justin Hammer, and Rory Willats.

August 10 at 8:00 PM, August 11 at 2:00 PM, August 25 at 2:00 PM

POST GRAD LIFE
Written by Joelle Joyner-Wong

Harlow just graduated college with a degree in film and dreams of going to Los Angeles. However, she graduated in the midst of a global pandemic. She job hops while trying to achieve her dream and deals with the many hardships of post-grad life.

August 10 at 6:00 PM, August 18 at 6:00 PM, August 25 at 8:00 PM

GODDESS DA FROM THE PLANET YURONIT
Written and featuring Melinda E. Lopez

A time traveling Goddess from the year 3000 comes to the year 2024 to share her musical messages with the humans on their planet. Melinda’s multimedia performance uses her original multi-genre and danceable original compositions using rhythms, background vocals and instrumentation from World, Latin, Jazz, Classical, Gospel, Country, Rock, African, Cuban, Asian which are reflective of our diverse world.

Melinda is collaborating with an evocative artist, Geoffrey Geiger who attended the same Berkeley High School with Melinda during the turbulent cultural times of the 60s which are similar to today’s world. Their artwork seeks to shed light, love and hope over the darkness which threatens a new and better world. Her music features Bay Area musicians – Heshima Mark Williams, Acoustic Bass; Dale Carlson, Sax; David Moltzen, Piano. Melinda also is the engineer, producer, narrator and singer on the musical recordings of her shows.

August 11 at 8:00 PM, August 24 at 2:00 PM, August 25 at 12:00 PM

ONE OF THE GOOD ONES
Written by Melina Cohen-Bramwell
Directed by Lana Richards

Stage Manager: Chris Russell

Cameron Grauman, a mixed-race person (WHO IS DEFINITELY NOT RACIST WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT!?), loses their job after Rhonda Diane, famous-white-lady and racial justice educator, leads an ill-fated anti-racism training at Cameron’s work. What follows is a surreal journey through Cameron’s mind and an exploration of what it means, in this black-and-white world, to be both.

Content Warning: This play discusses race, American race relations, and mixed-heritage. It explores racial tropes, contains the use of racial slurs, and descriptions of violence. 

August 16 at 6:00 PM, August 17 at 8:00 PM, at August 18 at 12:00 PM

BLACK BASTARD
Written and featuring Jon Joseph Gentry (PlayGround-LA)
Directed by Shinelle Azoroh

Black Bastard transports audiences to 1990s Houston in a humorous, heartfelt coming-of-age tale. Jon, an inquisitive Black boy, develops a love for literature until his family fractures, thrusting him into the role of “man of the house.” A comedic spiral ensues as Jon grapples with his identity. An inciting confrontation propels Jon’s search for his absent father, exploring themes of masculinity and self-actualization through artful techniques and nostalgic references. Queer. Southern. Creole. The piece contends that all humans are collective “bastards” on an eternal quest for selfhood and someplace to call home amid constantly evolving identities.

Special Thanks: My parents Deborah Irvin and Joseph Leblanc; Maurice Johnson, Agnes Johnson & Dr. Rev. Alexander Johnson; Tobie Windham, Alex Ubokudom; Ulises Gonzalez, Liz Leblanc; Theatre Asylum-Matt Quinn & Bertha Rodriguez; Agustin Cabrera, Gersson Romero; David Foggy & Alfonso Guzman; Maura Vincent & Seydways Acting Studios; My Teachers, especially Aquilla Aubrey & Ed Brimer; PlayGround; and Houston, TX.

August 16 at 8:00 PM, August 17 at 4:00 PM, August 18 at 8:00 PM

STARE INTO THE VOID AND YOU’LL SEE STARS
Written and produced by Kaz Valtchev (PlayGround-SF)
Directed by Tessa Corrie

Luna…………….Sid McNulty
Sunni…………….Jay Bordon
Bridgette…………….Veronica Clifford-Carlos
Jenn…………….René Ly

Dio Ramirez – Stage Manager/Lighting and Sound Designer/Co-Producer

Luna is on a camping trip with her friends, waiting to watch a meteor shower,sounds relaxing right? Except she’s a ball of anxiety being haunted by the ghost of her friend, Jenn, while her living friends have planned an intervention for her marijuana use. As the night goes on, everyone in the friend group reveals more secrets surrounding Jenn’s suicide and they learn more about Jenn, each other, and the nature of trauma and healing.

We’d like to give a special thank you to all the folks who contributed to our Kickstarter. In particular we’d like to thank Alexandra Theodotou, Alexander Harencar, Brett Houtz, Esther John-Crandall, Minerva Ramirez, Steven Brunwasser, Tori Powers, and Vasil Valtchev for their immense generosity and support to help make this show happen. We’d also like to thank UC Berkeley’s Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies Department which provided rehearsal space and some props for the show. This was a big communal effort and we couldn’t have done it without all of you!

CONTENT WARNING: Please be aware this show contains extensive discussions of TRAUMA, SUICIDE, ADDICTION, SEXUAL ASSAULT, PARTNER ABUSE, AND PARENTAL NEGLECT. None of this content is explicitly performed onstage, however they are talked about thoroughly.

If you are struggling with the issues mentioned above, please reach out to these resources for support:

The National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255
The Trevor Project: 866-488-7386
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
The GLBT National Hotline: 888-843-4564
Rape Abuse and Incest National Network: 800-656-4673
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Helpline: 800-662-4357
Community United Against Violence: 415-333-4357
Gay and Sober: www.gayandsober.org
Pacific Center for Human Growth: www.pacificcenter.org

August 17 at 2:00 PM, August 23 at 8:00 PM, August 24 at 4:00 PM

TITLE PENDING
Written and featuring Heather Tyson

Boxes. Betrayals. And breakdowns. Meet Heather. A nice, hard-working, Catholic girl from the Midwest who works as a Corporate Trainer. Set within the confines of her automotive training classes, Heather receives a mysterious text from her husband, and her life starts to unravel. As she begins to question her entire system of beliefs, she braces for impact, and wonders, where does the road lead if the GPS I’ve always trusted is defective? Title Pending is a story of love, loss and the road to reclaiming oneself. Laughter, tears and dancing expected. Strap in and come along for the ride!

Special Thanks: Ann Randolph, Joshua Townshend, Adam Lesser, Maia Rosenfeld and MRP Creative, Venus Zamora, Matthew Quinn and Bertha Rodriguez, David Haverty, Wendy Hammers, Karin Gutman, Santa Monica Playhouse, The Whitefire Theatre, Cuéntame Storytelling, the Unmuters, the Remarkables, and the many Kind Creatives and friends who have born witness to the development of this show. There are too many to name, but I would not be continuing to do this show without your continued love and support.

August 17 at 6:00 PM, August 18 at 2:00 PM, August 25 at 6:00 PM

WHERE I COME FROM
Written and featuring Jerry Metzker
Directed by Robert Lucchesi

In 1847, Fergus Maloney flees famine-plagued Ireland for a new life in New York City. His journey is one of deprivation, loss, anger, helplessness, uncertainty and hope.

August 23 at 6:00 PM, August 24 at 8:00 PM, August 25 at 4:00 PM

BAD BEHAVIOR, A PLAY IN ONE ACT
by Adrian A Babatunde Thomas (PlayGround-LA)

Michael and Roger are forced into a quest to save a cousin from a death, at least that what Roger believes and Michael truly wants no part but as always these two brothers end up in the misadventure of a lifetime through real life cosplay.

Free-Play Festival By Date

Friday, August 9, 2024
6:00 PM: Venn Diagram by Margo Rofé
8:00 PM: The Definition of Drag by SNJV

Saturday, August 10, 2024
2:00 PM: The Test Carl Erez/Princess Kannah
4:00 PM: Venn Diagram by Margo Rofé
6:00 PM: Goddess Da from the Planet Yuronit by Melinda E. Lopez
8:00 PM: Post Grad Life by Joelle Joyner-Wong

Sunday, August 11, 2024
12:00 PM: Venn Diagram by Margo Rofé
2:00 PM: Post Grad Life by Joelle Joyner-Wong
4:00 PM: The Definition of Drag by SNJV
6:00 PM: The Test by Carl Erez and Princess Kannah
8:00 PM: One of the Good Ones by Melina Cohen-Bramwell

Friday, August 16, 2024
6:00 PM: Black Bastard by Jon Joseph Gentry
8:00 PM: Stare into the Void and You’ll See Stars by Kaz Valtchev

Saturday, August 17, 2024
2:00 PM: Title Pending by Heather Tyson
4:00 PM: Stare into the Void and You’ll See Stars by Kaz Valtchev
6:00 PM: Where I Come From by Jerry Metzker
8:00 PM: Black Bastard by Jon Joseph Gentry

Sunday, August 18, 2024
12:00 PM: Black Bastard by Jon Joseph Gentry
2:00 PM: Where I Come From by Jerry Metzker
4:00 PM: The Test by Carl Erez and Princess Kannah
6:00 PM: Goddess Da from the Planet Yuronit by Melinda E. Lopez
8:00 PM: Stare into the Void and You’ll See Stars by Kaz Valtchev

Friday, August 23, 2024
6:00 PM: Bad Behavior, a Play in One Act by Adrian Thomas
8:00 PM: Title Pending by Heather Tyson

Saturday, August 24, 2024
2:00 PM: One of the Good Ones by Melina Cohen-Bramwell
4:00 PM: Title Pending by Heather Tyson
6:00 PM: The Definition of Drag by SNJV
8:00 PM: Bad Behavior, a Play in One Act by Adrian Thomas

Sunday, August 25, 2024
12:00 PM: One of the Good Ones by Melina Cohen-Bramwell
2:00 PM: Post Grad Life by Joelle Joyner-Wong
4:00 PM: Bad Behavior, a Play in One by Act Adrian Thomas
6:00 PM: Where I Come From by Jerry Metzker
8:00 PM: Goddess Da from the Planet Yuronit Melinda E. Lopez

Biographies

SNJV (Writer/Performer, THE DEFINITION OF DRAG): is an artist using dance, drag, and drama to showcase humanity. Infusing culture into dance and fashion, SNJV creates performances for stage and film. SNJV started performing at 4 years old and has not stopped. SNJV holds the title of Mr. GAPA and is the first South-Asian title holder in GAPA’s history. (GLBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance). In addition, he is the co-founder of Parivar-a social collective to support and celebrate queer, trans, gender non-conforming folks connected to the South Asian diaspora. He is also an educator who lectures about his research on drag, dance, and identity in university and corporate spaces. While SNJV loves being in front of the camera, he enjoys stepping behind the lens to produce and direct films drawing on culture, queerness, and texture.

SHINELLE AZOROH (Director, BLACK BASTARD), is an actress, writer, filmmaker, and creator from Alabama based in Los Angeles. She received great reviews for her lead role in Apple TV’s Swagger, which The Hollywood Reporter named one of the 10 Best Shows of 2021. Shortly after she graduated from The American Conservatory Theater, she made her television debut in the movie Betty & Coretta, starring opposite Angela Bassett and Mary J. Blige. Her feature film roles include the indie Nostalgia with Jon Hamm and Ellen Burstyn, and the Blumhouse’s feature Don’t Let Go with David Oyelowo. Shinelle was also seen in the Oscar nominated short Dekalb Elementary. Shinelle wrote and stars in the YouTube comedy series, Roxie Wolfgang.

ADRIAN A BABATUNDE THOMAS (Playwright, BAD BEHAVIOR, A PLAY IN ONE ACT) has been a playwright for over 25 years. His shows have been produced in Houston, Austin, Pasadena, Inglewood and San Diego (along with live streams to New York, Chicago and San Francisco). His plays can be found on NPX and he has current productions heading to San Diego in the month of May (2024) and contracts for shows in New York City early 2026. Adrian’s plays range from hard hitting family dramas to over the top comedies that are full of soul and vigor. Always fighting for truth and the acceptance of all, his storytelling of the African American lived experience is neither mono tone nor monolithic, but queer, curious, soulful and sometimes traumatic. Adrian tells it like it is!

JAY BORDON (“Sunni,” STARE INTO THE VOID AND YOU’LL SEE STARS) (they/them) is a non-binary Filipinx living in San Francisco. They were in the 2023 Queer as Fuck production in Bindlestiff Studio, an award-winning indie film called Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita, some random tv appearances, and various plays in college. When not acting or lawyering, you’d most likely find them at the gym, dance class, or cooking at home.

VERONICA CLIFFORD-CARLOS (“Bridgette,” STARE INTO THE VOID AND YOU’LL SEE STARS) is fresh out of the milieu, grippy socks in toe, and ready to come out and spread her wings on stage again. She hopes the audience really listens to the messages of the show and that they all get therapy. But hey, one step at a time.

MELINA COHEN-BRAMWELL (Playwright, ONE OF THE GOOD ONES), he/him, is a writer and lifelong San Francisco Bay Area resident who also happens to be a biracial, gender-queer, spoonie. Never a fan of the education system, at age sixteen, Melina dropped out of school and began a career in theater. After years of working as a technician at regional theater companies such as Aurora, Cal Shakes, and Berkeley Rep, Melina “retired” to focus on healing from chronic illness and pursuing writing as a career. His play, Please Don’t Slow Me Down, was workshopped in PlayGround 2023 Free-Play Festival. His book Bar Fights with Sad Kids will be available from Finishing Line Press in September 2024.

TESSA CORRIE (Director, STARE INTO THE VOID AND YOU’LL SEE STARS) is a Queer, Latinx, and Neurodivergent Theater Director homegrown from the Bay Area. She specializes in new play development that amplifies underrepresented narratives. She is a company member and casting associate at PlayGround. Her credits include work at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Palo Alto Players, The Pear Theatre, Cutting Ball Theatre, The Playwrights’ Center of San Francisco, Left Coast Theatre Company, More Más Marami Arts, and Poltergeist Theatre Project.

CARL EREZ (Writer/Director, THE TEST) is an interdisciplinary artist exploring the boundary between theater and games. One example of this is from The Yellow Zoom-paper [Working Title] (co-created with Justin Hammer, Barnstorm 2021), in which the audience taking the role of the voices in a performer’s head via chatting on Twitch and talked her into examining her social media as they explored her self-centeredness. Other projects include Smoked Out (co-directed with Princess Kannah, UC Santa Cruz Digital Arts and New Media, 2023) and Lve is in the Eye (presented at Fresh Baked Pears 2023).

JON JOSEPH GENTRY (Writer/Performer, BLACK BASTARD), described by a Hollywood agent as an “overeducated” actor, was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He earned his BA in English from Harvard, where he served as President of BlackCAST. He holds an MFA in Acting from the American Conservatory Theater. As a teaching artist, he co-directed Child Life with UCSF Children’s Hospital and led acting workshops across the Bay Area. He currently teaches Michael Chekhov Acting Technique at the Los Angeles Performing Arts Conservatory. His regional theater credits include roles in Clybourne Park, A Christmas Carol, and Romeo and Juliet. On screen, he appeared in TEN, Behold a Lady, Meeting Matt Damon and voiced Preston Garvey in “Fallout 4,” gaining viral fame.

SALLY HOGARTY(“Nava,” VENN DIAGRAM) has been involved in theater for over 50 years as an actress, producer, publicist and photographer. She has performed Off Broadway at New York’s Theatre Row and locally with Center Rep, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Boxcar Playhouse, Willows Theatre, Altarena Playhouse, Town Hall Theatre and many more. Also, busy in front of the camera, she has over 200 commercials, numerous industrial and independent films as well as featured roles in several television series to her credit. When not performing, Sally writes a weekly theater column for The East Bay Times and The Concord/Clayton Pioneer. She is delighted to appear in this beautifully written work by Margo Rofé.

LINDSAY A. JENKINS (Director, VENN DIAGRAM) Lindsay A. Jenkins (L.J.) is a dramaturg and cultural consultant based in Los Angeles by way of Dallas, TX. Her area of specialty is Black Performance Heritage, connecting past performances to contemporary experiences. L.J. loves supporting the development of new work, most recently at South Coast Repertory’s Pacific Playwrights Festival where she worked on Fremont Ave. by Reggie D. White. Other dramaturgical work includes Black Cypress Bayou by Kristen Adele Calhoun at Geffen Playhouse and Lines in the Dust by Nikkole Salter, produced by Collaborative Artists Bloc. She is the Founder of Maroon Arts and Culture, an organization that aims to support the development of new work and bridge meaningful connections between Black artists and audiences.

JOELLE JOYNER-WONG (Writer/Performer, POST GRAD LIFE) is a Bay Area playwright, screenwriter, filmmaker and theater maker. Joelle’s first play, Cheerz! was performed at Sonoma State’s new works festival, PowerLines. The following year, Joelle wrote another play, Ask Her Out!, which got read at another festival called Super Molten Mega Hot. Last year, Joelle had a stage reading for her new play, Post Grad Life hosted by Plethos Productions in Castro Valley, CA. She then got to participate in the Fresh Baked Pears One Act Festival hosted by The Pear Theatre in Mountain View, CA; there she wrote her play, Blacklist! Joelle is also an Alumni of BAYCAT, which is a non-profit film production studio that helps emerging filmmakers break into the film industry. BA in Theatre Arts, Sonoma State University.

PRINCESS KANNAH (Writer/Performer, THE TEST) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist specializing in teaching, directing, acting, and stage management. Currently based in the Pacific Northwest, Princess is excited to continue exploring the intersections of art and activism using Theatre as a tool for social change. MFA, University of California Santa Cruz.

JACINTA KAUMBULU (“Olivia,” VENN DIAGRAM)is a Bay Area actor. She has worked with several theater companies in the Bay Area, she is thrilled to be back on stage at Playground SF in the play Venn Diagram by Margo Rofé Directed by Lindsay Jenkins as Olivia. Mental health is something we do not talk about enough. Jacinta hopes to give life to, and Olivia’s family circumstances in this play. You can see Jacinta next in the Black Feminist Guide to the Human Body by Lisa B. Thompson Directed by Margo Hall at The Lorraine Hansberry Theater playing the role of Dr. Beatrice “Bea” Free – In September 2024

MELINDA E. LOPEZ (Writer/Performer, GODDESS DA FROM THE PLANET YURONIT) is a Filipina-American Berkeley, California native who was heavily influenced by global music, dance, and theatre through growing up in her multicultural neighborhoods in Los Angeles and Berkeley, California. She is a child of the ’60s who couldn’t help being sensitive to others as she was exposed to America’s turmoil of the Vietnam War, Women’s and Disability Rights, and the integration of Berkeley’s school districts. melindaelopez.com

ROBERT LUCCHESI (Director, WHERE I COME FROM) (he/him) is a San Francisco born-and-raised educator and theatre artist. He has supported new play development as a director, actor, and dramaturg on the West, East, and North Coasts, working with the BU College of Fine Arts in Boston, Cleveland Public Theatre, Ohio City Theatre Project, Playwrights Local, and continuum-convergence in Cleveland, and Robillard Theatre Works and the SF Eagle Players in San Francisco. When not helping new plays get to the stage, he helps high school students figure out their paths as a School Counselor.

RENÉ LY (“Jenn,” STARE INTO THE VOID AND YOU’LL SEE STARS) Born and raised in SF (yelamu), René (she/her) draws inspiration from the vibrant communities that raised her. As a first US born daughter of Vietnamese refugees she explores healing, both lived and ancestral trauma through artistic forms of music, dance, poetry, and theatre arts. She is an educator by day, fighting and working alongside students and allies for a more loving and equitable world.

SID MCNULTY (“Luna,” STARE INTO THE VOID AND YOU’LL SEE STARS) (she/they) is a San Francisco based actor, and is over the moon to be making their Playground debut! Some favorite past credits include Girl in Are You Goth Enough to be Haunted, Fall in Love with the Wrong Guy, and Burn Down the Mall?, Marian The Music Man, and Frenchy in Grease. In addition to acting, Sid is a sometimes singer/songwriter, and an all the time cat lover/whisperer. Sid is a graduate of Portland State University. Thanks and love to Armand and family!

JERRY METZKER (Writer/Performer, WHERE I COME FROM), is a playwright, director, dramaturg, solo performer and theater creator. As a solo performer, he has workshopped several pieces at the Marsh, including Guardian Angel, Nephilim, Mercy Buckets (SF Fringe Festival) and most recently Where I Come From. A reading of his new play, Ms. Vicky Is Busy, was presented by SF Eagle Players in April 2024, paired with Lanford Wilson’s The Madness of Lady Bright; he played both principal roles. He is the director of John Fisher’s long-running solo play A History of World War II, which played at the Marsh-SF, Marsh Berkeley, the United Solo Festival (New York) and Hollywood, running more than eight months, and Fisher’s A History of the Civil War, which premiered in PlayGround’s Solo Performance Festival. He has directed several other solo plays written and performed by John Fisher. Jerry is also a musician and a static trapeze artist. jerrymetzker.com

ALEXANDRIA NYX (Stage Manager/Asst. Director/Lighting Designer, VENN DIAGRAM) (they/she) is your friendly neighborhood theatre artist with an unhealthy obsession with Hadestown, a rising senior at the Claremont Colleges majoring in Theatre, and a proud jack of all trades. She is so happy to have worn many hats in this production and is excited to make her SF debut with this show! Recent credits include Pomona College’s Kentucky (Nicole), Eurydice (ASM), and Anon(ymous) (ASM). She’s also a board member of Spotlight Musical Theatre at Pomona College. Credits with Spotlight include Little Shop of Horrors (Sound Designer), The Old Man and the Old Moon (Costumes/Set Designer), and Spring Awakening (Costume Designer). She hopes you enjoy the show!

DIO RAMIREZ (Stage Manager/Lighting and Sound Designer/Co-Producer, STARE INTO THE VOID AND YOU’LL SEE STARS) (they/them) is the head electrician and board programmer for UC Berkeley’s Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies Department. They began their theatrical career at Cal, TDPS class of 2015. Some titles they have held over the last eight years include: freelance electrician, building engineer, museum preparator, and, most recently, facilities manager for Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. In the past they have worked as an electrician with Cal Shakes, Theatre Yugen, the Asian Art Museum, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre, to name a few.

MARGO ROFÉ (Playwright, VENN DIAGRAM) is a retired lawyer/playwright who resides in Southern California. Margo’s works have been showcased, produced, and/or workshopped by the University of Nebraska Omaha as part of its BIPOC Festival; The Pulp Stage Theatre in Portland, OR; Breath of Fire Latina Theatre Ensemble; The Robey Theater; and the Alliance of LA Playwrights. Her monologue “Caplata” was published in the anthology “The Covid Monologues”. Her play “Venn Diagram” reached the semi-finalist round of the Dramatists Guild Foundation’s National Fellowship competition. Margo is also a member of Playground-LA, which produced her short plays “She Was There” and “The Chase” (both received the People’s Choice award). Margo is a Board Member of Breath of Fire Latina Theatre Ensemble, a member of the Alliance of LA Playwrights, and has served as a committee member for the 43rd NAACP Image Awards’ Literary Sub-committee in the category of Poetry Literature.

DEBORAH SHARPE-TAYLOR (“VIVIAN,” VENN DIAGRAM) Actor, singer, published author, Voice Professor at the MUSICIAN INSTITUTE of Hollywood, Western Regional Councilor of ACTORS EQUITY ASSOCIATION, Chair of the PAUL ROBESON COMMITTEE at EQUITY, Mentor and Friend; DeBorah’s been blessed with a career crossing many genres. She was a SUPREMES, sang backup with HARRY BELAFONTE, BARRY WHITE and SOUL II SOUL. On TV, THIS IS US, PROVEN INNOCENT, she was an Alien on THE NEIGHBORS and seen on numerous TV Commercials. Stage performances include THE WIZ, LITTLE SHOP of HORRORS, IT AIN’T NOTHIN THE BLUES to name a few.

CAROLE SWANN (“Rebecca,” VENN DIAGRAM) is pleased to be working with Playground for the first time, and to have a hand in bringing Venn Diagram to life with top-notch collaborators. Theatre credits include Clark Kent Gets His Suit Cleaned and My Secret Inner Life (Hothouse Theatre Co) Into Night: A Day at Tao House and Long Day’s Journey into Night (Eugene O’Neill Festival) Come Here Often? (Left Coast Theatre Co) The Speakeasy (Boxcar Theatre) The Mariner (Third Cloud from the Left) The Tempest (Curtain Theatre) and The Crucible (Custom Made Theatre). Carole has also enjoyed directing new work for Left Coast Theatre Co.

JC THOMAS (Producer, BAD BEHAVIOR, A PLAY IN ONE ACT) began studying theatre at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC. She received a BA in Theatre Arts from Prairie View A&M University and has performed in countless productions throughout Texas and Southern California. She works with MK Productions to produce A Weekend of Ten (AWOT) ten minute play festival for new writers every year since 2015, and has been producing full length plays since 1999. She is a multi-award winning filmmaker and mental health advocate who uses art in all forms to infuse joy into this beautiful journey of life!

HEATHER TYSON (Writer/Performer, TITLE PENDING), a graduate of Northwestern University’s theater program, has spent the last decade working as a Host, Facilitator, Voice Artist and Public Speaker. TITLE PENDING marks Tyson’s return to live performance, and is a testament to her unwavering love of the theatre. The show debuted at the 2023 Hollywood Fringe Festival and has played to sold out audiences and garnered multiple awards. Previous TV and film appearances include The Sopranos, Sex & the City, Days of Our Lives, and Military Husband.

KAZ VALTCHEV (Playwright/Producer, STARE INTO THE VOID AND YOU’LL SEE STARS) (he/they) has worked onstage, backstage, and front of stage for various theaters in the Bay area including Cal Shakes, Bay Area Children’s Theatre, Bindlestiff Studios, and many others. He has been a part of the PlayGround Writer’s Pool for the past two years and has been an actor and stage manager for PlayGround in the past as well. He has had short plays produced with the Pear Theater, the Queer AF Festival, and Left Coast Theater Company. He also had an original monologue published in the anthology, WE-US: Monologues for Gender Minority Characters.

PLAYGROUND, California’s leading playwright incubator, provides unique development opportunities for the Bay Area’s, Los Angeles’ and now New York’s best new playwrights, including the monthly Monday Night PlayGround staged reading series, annual PlayGround Festival of New Works, full-length play commissions and support for the production of new plays by local playwrights through the New Play Production Fund. To date, PlayGround has supported over 250 early career playwrights, developing and staging more than 1000 of their original short plays through the Monday Night PlayGround staged reading series and the PlayGround Festival. PlayGround has also commissioned 90 new full-length plays by 60 of these writers through its Commissioning Initiative and, through the innovative New Play Production Fund, has directly facilitated the premiere of 34 plays at theatres of every size, including three that have gone on to NYC and other major theater communities. Most recently, PlayGround renovated and relaunched the former Thick House Theater in San Francisco’s Potrero Hill as Potrero Stage, a state-of-the-art center for new plays, home to PlayGround’s expanding artistic programs and some of the Bay Area’s most distinguished new play developers and producers. Over the past twenty-four years, PlayGround has served to identify some of the most important new local voices for the theatre. PlayGround’s alumni have gone on to win local, national, and international honors for their short and full-length work, including recognition at the Humana Festival, O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, Bay Area Playwrights Festival, The Lark’s Playwrights’ Week, New York International Fringe Festival, and others. PlayGround received the 2009 Paine Knickerbocker Award for outstanding contributions to Bay Area theatre, 3 BATCC Awards for Best Original Script for PlayGround commissions, a 2014 National Theatre Company Grant from the American Theatre Wing (founder of the Tony Awards®), and a 2016 Edgerton Foundation New Play Award. Visit https://PlayGround-sf.org for more information.

POTRERO STAGE is a 99-seat state-of-the-art performance space located in the heart of San Francisco’s Potrero Hill neighborhood, operated by PlayGround, and serving as home to some of the Bay Area’s leading new play developers and producers, including PlayGround, Crowded Fire, Golden Thread, and Playwrights Foundation, among others. While the venue is closed during the COVID pandemic, Potrero Stage will highlight the best in online programming by PlayGround, Potrero Stage resident companies, and other Potrero Stage producers. For more information, visit https://potrerostage.org.

PlayGround Contributors

PlayGround is deeply grateful for the generous contributions of the many individuals, foundations, and gifts of $125 or more committed between March 1, 2021 & March 21, 2022.

GOVERNMENT, CORPORATE, & FOUNDATION DONORS

Alameda County Arts Commission • Amazon • American Rescue Plan Act & CARES Act • Art Space Development Corporation • Avenue Greenlight • Berkeley Civic Arts • The Bernard Osher Foundation • Bill Graham Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund • California Arts Council • California Humanities • California Nonprofit Performing Arts Grant Program • Creative Capacity Fund • Disney • Grants For The Arts • KFF • Koret Foundation • LA County Arts Commission • Lenore & Howard Klein Foundation • The Leo J. & Celia Carlin Fund • Negley Flinn Charitable Foundation • NIAC • Nvidia • NYSCA-A.R.T./New York Creative Opportunity Fund • Phyllis C. Wattis Foundation • Planet Earth Arts • Rock Paper Scissors Landscape Inc. • Rye Financial Services • San Francisco Arts Commission • The Shubert Foundation • The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS

SEASON SPONSORS ($5000+)

Emilie T. & Gordon C. Brooks, Daniel E. Cohn & Lynn Brinton, Paul Haahr, Lara Gilman & Jim Kleinmann

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS ($2500–$4,999)

John H. Gilman, Carlie Wilmans, Anonymous

PRODUCERS CIRCLE ($1000-$2499)

Randy Adams, Meriko Borogove, David Goldman, Regina S. Guggenheim, Linda Kremer, Eric Craig Moody, Nitin, David Steele, Janine Wilburn, Anonymous (2)

PLAYWRIGHTS CIRCLE ($500-$999)

Steve & Gretchen Debenham, Hillary DeMartino, Keith Goldstein and Donna Warrington, Ms. Kathryn A Hecht, Paul & Pam Kleinmann, Gregg & Jennifer Le Blanc, Kathy Roberts & Aaron Loeb, Dr. Gary W. London, Pam MacKinnon, Danny & Dolores Martinez, Molly Noble and Bob Guilbault, Jeffrey Trescott, Pam & John Walker, Christian Wilburn, Maury Zeff, Anonymous (5)

PATRON ($250-$499)

James & Cassandra Carpenter, Sheila Collins, Kelly & Carlos Delgado, Philippa M Kelly & Paul Dresher, Jonathan Luskin, Dolores Martinez, Chris and Cindy Redburn, Diane Sampson, Jon & Susan Sweedler, Jon Tracy, Anonymous

ASSOCIATE MEMBER ($125-$249)

Mary E. Baird, Ms. Lynda H Barber, Ruth & Robert Brayton, Fair & Levit Family, Anirvan Ghosh, Dana Hall, Tobi Marcus, Michelle Nedboy, Doug Peckler & Evelyn Jean Pine, Kimberly Ridgeway, Mary Ann & Malcolm Rodgers, Kathryn Ryan, Christine Sheppard, Ms. Susan Terris, Mary Lou Torre, Anonymous (2)

Become a PlayGround contributor!

DONATE

PlayGround Company

PLAYGROUND WRITERS POOL 2023-24

Daniel Baxter, Robyn Brooks, Nicole Apostol Bruno, Madeleine Butler, Jediah Craig, Cherielyn Ferguson, Elizabeth Flanagan, Ipsheeta Furtado, KT Frances Hartline, Sam Hurwitt, Tejahra Jacobs, Ruth Kirschner, Steve Koppman, Sarena Kuhn, Greg Lam, Jennifer Le Blanc, Kristy Lin Billuni, Justin P. Lopez, Mikee Loria, Daniel Martinez, Jr, Alanna McFall, Matthew Morishige, Richard Perez, Bridgette Dutta Portman, Xinyuan Pu, Kimberly Ridgeway, George Rose, David Schweidel, Louel Senores, Stan Stone, Lisa Thompson, Mike Tuton, Kaz Valtchev, Michael Waterson, Christian Wilburn, Maury Zeff

PLAYGROUND RESIDENT PLAYWRIGHTS 2023-24

Cass Brayton, Bailey Jordan Garcia, M.J. Kang, Samuel Kelly Fair Levit, Daniel Martinez, Jr., Matthew Y. Morishige, Molly Olis Krost, Evelyn Jean Pine, Bridgette Dutta Portman, Alexis Standridge, Leela Velautham, Jennie Webb

PLAYGROUND COMPANY

Molly Aaronson-Gelb, Angel Adedokun, Patrick Alparone, Linda Amayo-Hassan, Liz Anderson, Rinabeth Apostol, Michael Asberry, Michael Barrett Austin, Mary Baird, April Ballesteros, Tanika Baptiste, Aldo Billingslea, Millie Brooks, Julia Brothers, Nicole Apostol Bruno, Lizzie Calogero, Ron Campbell, Joy Carlin, Nancy Carlin, Zoe Chien, Ben Chau-Chiu, Tessa Corrie, David Cramer, Will Dao, Anne Darragh, Roshni Datta, Khalia Davis, Natalia Delgado, Dodds Delzell, Livia Gomes Demarchi, Carolyn Doyle, Leticia Duarte, Nora el Samahy, Rebecca Ennals, Gisela Feied, Britney Frazier, Michael French, Claire Ganem, Sarah Gasser, Norman Gee, Douglas B. Giorgis, Linda Giron, Amy Glazer, Cindy Goldfield, BW Gonzalez, Gabriel Grilli, Rudy Guerrero, Rosie Hallett, Katherine Hamilton, Eric Fraisher Hayes, Brian Herndon, Champagne Hughes, J Jha, Colin Johnson, Jennifer King, Dean Koya, Danielle Levin, Amy Lizardo, Jeffrey Lo, Gwen Loeb, George Maguire, Melanie Marshall, Alicia Mason, Leontyne Mbele-Mbong, Julia McNeal, Sam Misner, Brady Morales-Woolery, Lisa Morse, Khary L. Moye, Molly Noble, Karen Offereins, Annette Oliveira, Soren Oliver, Ely Sonny Orquiza, Tony Ortega, Doyle Ott, June Palladino, Carla Pantoja, Louis Parnell, Jed Parsario, Michael Phillis, Krystle Piamonte, Rebecca Pingree, Stephanie Prentice, Ezra Reaves, Virginia Reed, Cathleen Riddley, Kimberly Ridgeway, Katja Rivera, Adrian Roberts, Stacy Ross, Adam Roy, Katie Rubin, Patrick Russell, Miyoko Sakatani, Louel Senores, Robert Sicular, Dave Sikula, Jeunee Simon, M. Graham Smith, Ken Sonkin, Lauren Spencer, Teddy Spencer, Chris Steele, Howard Swain, Jomar Tagatac, Emilie Talbot, Danielle Thys, Isabel Anne To, Jon Tracy, Dane Troy, Mark Rafael Truitt, Liam Vincent, Ian Walker, Maryssa Wanlass, Tracy Ward, Reggie D. White, Christian Wilburn, Wayne Wong, Elena Wright, Hector Zavala

PLAYGROUND AMBASSADORS

Julia Brothers, Jordan Carlson, Ben Chau-Chiu, Julia Crowley, Sheri Flanders, Claire Ganem, Eric Geller, Monica Ho, Tony Kim, Christine Liao, AJ Lily, Ely Sonny Orquiza, Andrew Perez, Ivan Rivas, Miyoko Sakatani, Braedyn Youngberg

PLAYGROUND STAFF

Jim Kleinmann, Co-Founder & Artistic Director
Jacque Bugler, Production Manager/General Manager
Lana Richards, Associate Director of Development
Jonathan Josephson, Director of Marketing & Communications
Bacilio Mendez II, Executive Producer
Norman Gee, Associate Producer
Katja Rivera, Associate Producer
Tessa Corrie, Casting Associate
Patricia Cotter, Casting Associate
Brittany Mellerson, Resident Designer
Sarah Gasser, Resident Stage Manager
Darius Adamson Jr., 2023-24 Producing Fellow
River Bermudez Sanders, 2023-24 Producing Fellow
Zoe Chien, 2023-24 Producing Fellow
Carmia Imani, 2023-24 Producing Fellow
Julie Lippert-Pasco, 2023-24 Producing Fellow
Xinyuan Pu, 2023-24 Producing Fellow
Christy Spence, 2023-24 Producing Fellow
Emily Zhou, 2023-24 Producing Fellow

PLAYGROUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stephanie Prentice, Chair
James A. Kleinmann, President
Emilie Talbot, Vice President
Nitin, Treasurer
Diana Burbano, Secretary
Regina Guggenheim, Chair Emeritus
Tanvi Agrawal
Linda Amayo-Hassan
Hillary DeMartino
Rebecca Martinez
Katie May
Bacilio Mendez II
David Steele
Christian Wilburn
David Steele

www.PlayGround-sf.org
3286 Adeline St #8
Berkeley, CA 94703-2485
info@playground-sf.org
(415) 992-6677