CTG's The Shop Launches 2015 Reading Series with PAPA ESTA EN LA ATLANTIDA

Upcoming programming for Center Theatre Group's The Shop in 2015 will include readings of four plays - "Papa esta en la Atlantida" by Javier Malpica, "Stories from the Indian Boarding School," by Native Voices Artists Ensemble, "Martina y los Hombres Pajaro" by Monica Hoth and "Emma and the Suzies" by Anthony Aguilar. Readings will take place at Los Angeles Public Libraries in Boyle Heights from today, September 15, through December 17, 2015.

Readings of "Papa esta en la Atlantida," presented in Spanish by Off The Tracks Theater Company, will take place tonight, September 15 at 6 p.m. at the Benjamin Franklin Library at 2200 East 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033; Wednesday, September 16 at 6 p.m. at the Malabar Library, 2801 Wabash Ave, Los Angeles, 90033; and Thursday, September 17 at 6 p.m. at the Robert Louis Stevenson Library, 803 Spence St., Los Angeles, 90023.

"Papa esta en la Atlantida" is the story of two brothers, ages eight and 11, who take the perilous journey to find their father in Atlantis, the mythical land of plenty. They dream that once they get there, their lives will be filled with family, friends, fast cars, baseball and lots and lots of water.

Readings of "Stories from the Indian Boarding School" will take place on Tuesday, October 13 at 6 p.m. at the Benjamin Franklin Library; Wednesday, October 14 at 6 p.m. at the Malabar Library; and Thursday, October 15 at 6 p.m. at the Robert Louis Stevenson Library.

"Stories from the Indian Boarding School" is an exploration of the realities and repercussions of the American Indian boarding school system, whose motto was, "Kill the Indian and save the man."

Readings of "Martina y los Hombres Pajaro," presented in Spanish by Off The Tracks Theater Company, will be presented on Tuesday, November 17 at 6 p.m. at the Benjamin Franklin Library; Wednesday, November 18 at 6 p.m. at the Malabar Library; and Thursday, November 19 at the Robert Louis Stevenson Library.

In "Martina y los Hombres Pajaro," Martina, like many children in her village, awaits her father's migratory return from the U.S. When this does not happen, Martina, against her mother's will, takes matters into her own hands. In an adventure of a lifetime, she encounters dangerous obstacles, thieves, witches and snakes.

"Emma and the Suzies," presented by East LA Rep, will have readings on Tuesday, December 15 at 6 p.m. at the Benjamin Franklin Library; Wednesday, December 16 at 6 p.m. at the Malabar Library and Thursday, December 17 at 6 p.m. at the Robert Louis Stevenson Library.

In "Emma and the Suzies," Emma, a straight-A student, plays with fire when she meets the Suzies, a gang ready to show her the time of her life. But can Emma really sacrifice hard work for fun? It's criminal craziness in a tale of good girl gone bad.

CTG began The Shop programming in the fall of 2013 when it initiated a pilot series of workshops and events that offer opportunities for Boyle Heights residents to express creativity, build community and connect the craft of theatre with their daily lives.

The Shop is a program of CTG's Education and Community Partnerships department, led by Leslie K. Johnson. One of the most active theatre education programs in the country, the Education and Community Partnerships Department reached more than 19,000 students, teachers and community members throughout Southern California in the most recent season. The department is dedicated to the development of artists, educators, community members and young people's skills and creativity through the exploration of theatre, its literature, art and imagination.

For reservations for readings contact Jesus A. Reyes at [email protected] or call 213-972-8028. More information on CTG's The Shop initiative can be found at www.centertheatregroup.org/TheShop.