On Your Feet

Staged Readings of New Plays By CSUF Playwrights

May 1, 2008

WHO:

Department of Theatre and Dance at Cal State Fullerton

WHAT:

ON YOUR FEET

Staged readings of new plays by CSUF playwrights
Coordinated by Susan Merson

WHEN:

8 p.m. April 30–May 1 — short plays
8 p.m. May 2–3 and 8–10 — longer plays
4 p.m. May 10 — LA TAO, a new musical

WHERE:

Grand Central Theatre, CSUF's Grand Central Art Center
125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701

PROGRAM:

On Your Feet is a festival of new plays featuring the work of the 2007-08 student playwrights. The seven evenings' offerings range from 10 minute plays to full-length pieces in progress. All plays will be done as script-in-hand readings.

BACKGROUND:

"The festival is an opportunity to allow the writers to hear their works aloud," says Susan Merson, CSUF playwriting instructor. "This year we are featuring almost 20 pieces showcasing the talents of both beginning and more advanced writers. All the plays are works-in-progress, and that means the writers need an audience to see what works and what doesn't."

In addition to pieces from regular class work, this year's festival features works by two senior honor scholars, Victoria Marcello and Caitlin Neiman. Marcello's solo piece, THE EXAMINED LIFE, has incorporated material developed from the monologues written by CSUF advanced playwriting students and compiled by Eric Czuleger. Neiman's SAFAT is a full-length work about the friendship and betrayal of Gamal Abdel Nasser and his best friend, Hakim Amer.

Other playwrights whose works will be read include Christine Benjamin, Eric Czuleger, Jesse Glick, Brad Hill, Sean McAllister, Brian Manning, Caitln Neiman, Blake Onishi, Marcie Rodriguez, Mohammad Shahisaman, Sam Stoliker, Joe Tostado, Victoria Marcello and Lauren Vega.

Directors include actress Jenny O'Hara (from KING OF QUEENS), Jim Holmes (from CSI) and alum Stephen Wagner, who returns for the third season to work on this project.

LA TAO, a special project of this year's festival, is directed by Larry Peters.

ADMISSION:

Complimentary seating

Media Contacts:
Susan Merson, Theatre and Dance, 714-278-3628