2019-2020 Theatre and Dance Production

artwork dances of protest

Spring 2020

 
February 26 and 27 @ 3:15pm and 6:15pm in the Ronald H. Silverman Fine Arts Gallery on the campus of Cal State LA
This is an ensemble project revealing the plight and challenges of our DACA students and immigrant families and communities, against the backdrop of the rise in xenophobia and attacks against marginalized communities.  The play was developed this Fall in collaboration with students enrolled in TA 4890 Adv. Creative Workshop, and weaves personal stories with current news stories, constantly shifting immigration policies and a call to action for engagement and activism.  After performances in the Ronald H. Silverman Fine Arts Gallery, this project will tour around Los Angeles to community performing arts organizations, community immigrant rights centers, high schools, and prisons.
This is a free event.
 
February 27-29, 2020, Thurs-Fri @ 7:30pm and Sat @ 2pm
State Playhouse

     We move to experience joy, to live, survive, thrive, connect, celebrate, mourn, protest, and to escape. As artists in dance we investigate, practice and theorize movement through all of its unlimited capacity to provide meaning. We stand in solidarity with all of those affected by violence, and we dance to provoke questions and to embrace those affected by painful conditions or by violent policies. We dance and express our deep concern for those currently suffering at borders, those who seek safety from violence, slavery, sexual exploitation or poverty resulting from disaster and exploitative economic policies. We stand in solidarity with all dancers’ inviolable rights and freedom to move.  

Nos movemos para experimentar la alegría, la vida, el sobrevivir de cada dia, la prosperidad, la conneccion,  el festejo, el llanto, la sensacion de protestar y escapar. Como artistas en el arte de la danza, nosotros investigamos, practicamos y teorarizamos movimiento en su plena capacidad. Esta forma de experimentar nos lleva a dar significado a nuestras danzas. Nosotros nos unimos en solidaridad a todos los que estan afectados por la violencia de diferentes estados y nosotros bailamos para provocar preguntas. Bailamos y expresamos nuestra profunda preocupación por aquellos que actualmente sufren en las fronteras, aquellos que buscan seguridad contra la violencia, la esclavitud, la explotación sexual, la pobreza como resultado de desastres políticos y económicos. Nos solidarizamos con los derechos inviolables y la libertad de movimiento de todos los bailarines.
Tickets are $12 General Admission and $10 Students/Seniors
 
March 12-21, 2020 Thur-Sat and Wed @ 7:30pm/Sun @ 2:30pm
Bloodless by Nicholas Walker Herbert
Arena Theatre
In a dystopian American future, Saul and Zeph escape a concentration camp and hide in an abandoned factory and wait for their contact to take them to safe grounds. However, when the chance to escape begins to narrow, and truths come to light, an ultimate sacrifice must be made. 
Tickets are $12 General Admission and $10 Students/Seniors
 
April 24, 25 and 30 - May 1 and 2, 2020 Thurs, Fri and Sat @ 7:30pm/Sun April 26 @ 2:30pm
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by Hugh Wheeler
State Playhouse
Winner of 8 Tony Awards for its Broadway premiere. Attend the dark, witty and Tony Award-winning tale of love, murder and revenge.
Tickets are $12 General Admission and $10 Students/Seniors
 
MFA Events:
 
January 22-24, 2020 @ 7:30pm in the State Playhouse
or SDVP is an ensemble piece that centers the Viewpoints within the world of a competitive sport, exposing the inherent theatricality of sports events, while drawing on the over-the-top satire used in WWE.  This project embraces the “unknown outcome” of competitive sports infused into contemporary theatre.  This project serves as partial fulfillment of J. Eric Lauritzen’s Culminating Project towards his MFA in Television, Film and Theatre/Acting Option degree.
This is a free event.
 
April 16-17 @ 7:30, April 18 @ 2:30pm in the Arena Theatre (MUS 101)
Kanyinsola Agboola Culminating Project Performances
More info will be posted shortly.
 
April 18, 2020 in the Music Hall and Arena Theatre (MUS 101)
MFA in Television, Film and Theatre Showcase of Culminating Projects
This day will include screenings, performances and readings of the work done by the graduating class of MFA students in Writing, Acting and Production.
12-2pm Screenings
2:30pm Performances
3:30-5:30pm Readings

More info will be posted shortly.

 
More events will be added as they are scheduled.
 
For more information –
On Facebook @CalStateLATheatre
 

Past Events
 
September 5-7, 2019 Thur-Sat @ 7:30pm/Sat @ 2:30pm   Arena Theatre
Threshold, a devised theatre project in partial fulfillment of the MFA in Television, Film and Theatre
Laura Dickinson-Turner, MFA Candidate, Acting
Sophie Goldstein, Director
Personal stories of inherited family trauma reflect our society’s long historical violent past. Fearlessly facing this pain, we can transform ourselves and our culture of hate into a world of acceptance and love. 
 
September 17, 2019 7:30pm   State Playhouse
Faculty Artist concert / A Soldier’s Tale by Igor Stravinsky
Join the Departments of Music and Theatre & Dance as we welcome new faculty members in a concert featuring them along with our students.
The Soldier's Tale (L'Histoire du soldat) is Stravinsky's greatest work for narrator and orchestra.  It is the story of a soldier, on leave from the army, who trades his old violin for a magic book that can tell the future and make him rich. He soon discovers, however, that he has made a deal with the devil and that money does not bring happiness.
Patti Kilroy, Violin
Adam Snow, Percussion
Roberto Alcaraz, Narration
 
September 19, 2019 6:00pm   State Playhouse
A BODY IN THE O a performance and talk by performer Tim Miller, based on his new book.
Climb along with performer Tim Miller inside the giant O of the Hollywood sign - or as Shakespeare called it "the wooden O" of the theatre- as Miller performs excerpts from his new book A BODY IN THE O and speaks of how performance can change our lives, challenge the world and imagine a better future!  Internationally-acclaimed solo performer Tim Miller will perform excerpts from his work and speak about the role performance plays in constellating identity. Known for his charged performance work which takes up the most challenging social texts of our time, Miller will share fierce and funny performance material as well as speak about how performance can be used to embolden communities, challenge injustice and connect people with one another.
 
October 11-19, 2019 Wed-Sat @ 7:00pm/Sun @ 2:00pm   Intimate Theatre at the Luckman
Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches by Tony Kushner
Directed by Randee Trabitz
The Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning masterpiece, this fierce and astounding drama is at once an epic exploration of American politics, gay identity, and mythology, and a personal story of love and loyalty. In today’s sociopolitical climate, Kushner’s universal message of compassion and inclusion makes Angels in America as timely as ever.
**Thursday, October 17 @ 3pm in the State Playhouse
The Center for The Study of Genders and Sexualities and Department of Theatre & Dance present a panel discussion on themes raised in Tony Kushner’s multi-awarding winning play.

 

October 31-November 9, 2019 Thur-Sat @ 7:30pm/Sun @ 2:30pm   King Hall Studio 1
Funnyhouse of a Negro by Adrienne Kennedy
Directed by Shonni Holmes
Winner of the 1964 Obie Award for Distinguished play.  The play is an abstract exploration of the psyche of a young black woman as she struggles with her sense of identity in a world where race is all defining.
 
November 14, 15, and 16, 2019 @ 7:30pm   Arena Theatre
The Minutes Improvisational theatre
Directed by Sylke Meyer
This improvised project will adapt and situate the East L.A., 1968: 'Walkout!' in the context of current academic institutions. Improvised story segments will be based on real events, employing projection technology, into improv theatre, and game play.

 

December 4, 5 and 6, 2019 @ 7:30pm King Hall Studio 1
Student Choreography Concert
Directed by Hae Kyung Lee
Student choreography is highlighted and celebrated in this annual concert.