Interview: Director Michael Keith Allen on PICK OF THE VINE at Little Fish Theatre

Little Fish Theatre’s beloved short play festival Pick of the Vine has returned with a brand-new collection of seven bold, funny, moving, and surprising stories inspired by this year’s theme, An Unexpected Guest. From strangers at the door to unforeseen visitors from the past, the future, or somewhere far stranger, these original short plays explore the moments that disrupt our routines and change everything. Handpicked from hundreds of submissions, the 2026 festival features work from a diverse lineup of celebrated and emerging playwrights. And as always, Pick of the Vine celebrates the creativity, imagination, and intimate storytelling that audiences have come to love.

This year’s featured plays in the order of presentation include: 

A Good Fit by Jaclyn Stiller, Directed by Philip J. Rossi. Cast: Brian O’Sullivan, Katie Herling, Sean James, Samantha Barrios

A Throne for the Holidays by Margie Semilof, Directed by Philip J. Rossi. Cast: Perry Shields, Shirley Hatton

Trivial by David MacGregor, Directed by Michael Keith Allen. Cast: Samantha Barrios, Sean James, Brian O’Sullivan

The Wrong Blind Date by Kathryn Farren, Directed by Alexandra Dennis-Renner. Cast: Katie Herling, Shirley Hatton, Brian O’Sullivan

Tag by Mark Harvey Levine, Directed by Michael Keith Allen. Cast: Samantha Barrios, Sean James, Katie Herling

Her Last Confession by Dermot Davis, Directed by Alexandra Dennis-Renner. Cast: Shirley Hatton, Perry Shields, Sean James 

Unexpected by Keith Whalen, Directed by Michael Keith Allen. Cast: Brian O’Sullivan, Katie Herling, Perry Shields

I decided to speak with one of the directors, Michael Keith Allen (pictured) about his participation in the festival, directing and guiding three of the selections with his unique creative vision.

Thanks for speaking with me, Michael. Have you been involved with any of the past Pick of Vine (POV) festivals at Little Fish? If so, which ones, and as director or actor?

I have been a set designer for the past couple of POV festivals. That’s how I initially came to work with Little Fish Theatre, as a set designer and scenic painter.

"A Good Fit" by Jaclyn Stiller. Directed by Philip J. Rossi.
(Pictured) Brian O’Sullivan, Katie Herling
Photo credit: Alex Moy

This year’s theme for all the seven short plays is “An Unexpected Guest.”  How were the plays selected and the order of presentation set? And were you involved in that process?

The theatre accepted one-act play submissions from around the country, and of the hundreds of submissions, the best three dozen or so were chosen. Then Little Fish invited company members to a group read-through of the finalists over a couple of evenings. Those participating members voted on the plays they liked the best. I was involved in the process as an actor/reader. The artistic directors and the POV producer selected the seven plays to be performed. The producer, Tara Donovan, determined the order based on ease of scene and costume changes, as well as how the plays progressed thematically and dramatically. 

"Her Last Confession"  by Dermot Davis. Directed by Alexandra Dennis-Renner.
(Pictured) Perry Shields, Shirley Hatton
Photo credit: Alex Moy

When were you first approached to direct some of the plays? And how did you choose which 3 of the seven to direct?

Little Fish put out a call to the membership seeking directors. I applied. Part of the application process was to pick a play and outline a concept for directing it. The producer asked the three selected directors which top three plays they were most interested in working on. According to the producer, every director got their first choice.

"Unexpected" by Keith Whalen. Directed by Michael Keith Allen
(Pictured) Katie Herling, Brian O’Sullivan
Photo credit: Alex Moy

How would you describe your unique creative vision for them, either as a whole or individually?

One of the plays I directed, Unexpected, is an abstract piece that takes place inside a woman’s body. An idea came to me in a flash after I realized I needed something whimsical and almost other-worldly to create the playing area the actors inhabit. I was allowing my imagination to wander and I kept picturing the actors dealing with yoga balls, I don’t know why. I realized soon after that the yoga balls were serving as a metaphor for the microscopic processes of the body and this strange world. And yoga balls are just funny.

"Unexpected" by Keith Whalen. Directed by Michael Keith Allen
(Pictured) Katie Herling, Brian O’Sullivan
Photo credit: Alex Moy

What similarities are there in those 3 plays, either cast members or themes, that tie them together?

All the plays are loosely tied together by “The Unexpected Guest” theme but are wonderfully diverse in setting and subject matter. I did have the opportunity to work with the same actors in multiple plays, and they were all able to create distinct and memorable characterizations that showcase their range and flexibility as actors. Whatever the plays called for, the actors were game - a director’s dream! 

"Trivial" by David MacGregor. Directed by Michael Keith Allen
(Pictured) Sean James, Brian O’Sullivan, Samantha Barrios
Photo credit: Alex Moy

With such minimal scenery and the need to change set pieces and costumes at such a fast pace, how did you work with the production team to make that happen?

I give all the credit for the smooth transitions to our producer, Tara Donovan, as well as the actors who made the transitions seamless. The directors focused on the plays, while our producer oversaw how the plays came together from a technical standpoint to make them a cohesive whole.

"Tag" by Mark Harvey Levine. Directed by Michael Keith Allen.
(Pictured) Sean James, Samantha Barrios 
Photo credit: Alex Moy

What is the most challenging thing about directing in the round at Little Fish?

The most challenging aspect of directing in the round is no matter which way an actor faces, half of the audience won’t fully see them. The trick is to keep the actors moving, but not too much as to be distracting. The Pond at Little Fish is a wonderfully intimate but tight playing area that wasn’t originally built to be a theater. The acoustics are challenging. The sight lines are challenging, but the level of theatre that Little Fish produces overcomes these challenges.

"A Throne for the Holidays" by Margie Semilof. Directed by Philip J. Rossi.
(Pictured) Perry Shields, Shirley Hatton
Photo credit: Alex Moy

What is your favorite selling point to encourage people to attend Pick of the Vine?

The plays are laugh-out-loud funny, and the actors are all wonderful. The parking is free!

"The Wrong Blind Date" by Kathryn Farren. Directed by Alexandra Dennis-Renner.
(Pictured) Brian O’Sullivan, Katie Herling
Photo credit: Alex Moy

Anything else you would like to add about yourself or the production?

I’ve worked with Little Fish for the past few years and I’ve known some of these actors for more than a decade. All I can say is, this is a great group of hardworking and lovable artists. And I will be designing the very next show, A Doll’s House, Part 2 where our producer, Tara Donovan, gets to take the stage as Nora. Joining her will be our POV actor and company member, Shirley Hatton. A Doll's House, Part 2 will be the last production at The Pond space because the lease ends in March. Little Fish is currently looking for another building to relocate to in the Beach Cities. Please share any leads!

Thanks so much!

Pick of the Vine continues at The Pond at Little Fish Theatre, 514 N Prospect Ave, Ste. L1, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 on Friday and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2:30pm through September 6, 2026. Run time is 80 minutes without an intermission. Free onsite parking.

Tickets are $36, available in advance at www.littlefishtheatre.org where you can also find more information about the company and parking directions. Available seats will be sold at the onsite box office prior to each remaining performance:

Friday, August 28, 2026, at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 2:30 p.m., followed by a talkback

Friday, September 4, 2026, at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.

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