Company in the News May-2025

See what PlayGround Writers, Company Members, and Alumni are up to this May!

Ben Chau-Chiu steps into the role of DHH in David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face at Shotgun Players. The show opens May 10 with pay-what-you-can previews and runs through June 8. Don’t miss this timely and provocative exploration of identity and representation. Purchase tix here.

Molly Noble is leading a powerful series of readings of 20 Lessons On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder, happening in schools and public venues across Marin. The series kicks off at the College of Marin during the “Hands Off Our Education” Rally on May 1, 12–1PM. Want to join or bring your inner Clown Activist? Reach out to Molly—she’d love to connect!

Lisa Gaye Thompson will present a reading of her in-progress play At the End of Our Streets, the Stars as part of an evening of first scenes at The Barrow Group in NYC. Catch it on May 4 at 7PM—and yes, tickets are free! Reserve one here.

Rob Dario joins the creative team for The Book of Will at Ross Valley Players, which also features Cathleen Riddley taking on the roles of Rebecca Heminges and Anne Hathaway Shakespeare—come through and show your love! May 9 to June 8. Purchase tix here.

Cindy Goldfield continues spreading joy in the second leg of Happy Pleasant Valley at CenterREP this June, joined by several fellow PlayGround alumni. More info here.

Michael Barrett Austin participated in the SOTA Young Playwrights Project with PlayGround and will take part in the upcoming Best of PlayGround(SF) ’25, May 24–25. Learn more.

Wayne Wong stars in Lyra Nalan’s Yi-An Bu Yi-an as part of PlayGround’s Festival of New Works. Next, he’ll appear in Opera Parallèle’s production of Harvey Milk Imagined in San Francisco. More info.

Nino Greene’s ten-minute play The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet & Bernard, the Shave King won the Audience Favorite Award at this year’s Silicon Valley Shakespeare 48-Hour Play Festival.

Greg Lam’s short play Occupied will be produced as part of Pear Theatre’s Pear Slices, May 23–June 8. The lineup includes works by fellow PlayGround SF Pool members Bridgette Dutta Portman and Cherielyn Ferguson. Learn more here.

Brian Herndon plays Nigel in The Passing Storm this May at the PlayGround Festival of New Works. Later this summer, he returns to Pacifica Repertory Theatre in Carmel to perform in Saint Joan and The Tempest.

Miyoko Sakatani will be performing in Grandma’s First Festivus by Laura Domingo as part of Best of PlayGround(SF) ’25! Catch this hilarious and heartwarming piece on May 24 & 25 at the SF Potrero Stage, closing out this year’s PlayGround Festival in style.

After a pandemic-era pivot to audio-only, Louel Señores finally takes the stage in person with New Conservatory Theatre Center. Don’t miss his performance in To My Girls, opening next month. It promises to be nothing short of fabulous! Purchase tix here.

Lizzie Calogero is bringing her talent to Healdsburg’s 222 Space, starring in the wickedly sharp comedy The Burdens. Directed by Jennifer King and featuring Brady Morales Woolery, this one’s a must-see for fans of fierce family drama and biting wit. Get your tix here.

Kristy Lin Billuni’s short play The Apple Tree—developed right here with PlayGround—will be part of Nomad Theatre’s All A-Bloom series, touring Bloomington, Illinois gardens from May 22 to June 1. An outdoor celebration of spring and storytelling! Learn more here.

Evelyn Jean Pine, whose sonnet The Skater Lusts—a poetic ode to San Francisco’s fourth steepest street—is featured in Gunpowder Press’s newest anthology, WOMEN IN A GOLDEN STATE. Out on Mother’s Day! Purchase a copy here.

Michael Tuton’s full-length play The Return of Honor to American Life was named a semi-finalist in the 47th Annual Bay Area Playwrights Festival and received a workshop reading at Central Works this April with actors from ARC. Public readings are planned for Summer/Fall 2025.

Earlier this year, TIMBUKTU, USA had its run with Intramural Theater in New Orleans. Now, Kenneth Prestininzi and Christopher Winslow are bringing the vibes to San Francisco with THE MISS ROSE SHOW, featured in PlayGround-SF’s Free Play Festival this August 2025. Mark your calendars—you won’t want to miss this!