OC-CENTRIC New Play Festival Returns, Now thru 8/26

OC-centric: Orange County's New Play Festival returns this month with a delicious feast of new work from Orange County playwrights. Supported by a generous grant from Chapman University, OC-centric features the talents of skilled actors and directors from across the Southland, giving life to new full-length and one-act plays that are by turns funny, thoughtful and provocative. OC-centric is produced in conjunction with Tamiko Washington (Actors Circle Ensemble and Chapman University) and Eric Eberwein.

The Full-Length Play

The Dirt and Its Harp in Her Mouth by Megan Breen (Tustin) - A type of Southern Gothic Cain-and-Abel story, this coming-of-age drama digs into the emotional struggles of Charlie, a 15-year-old tomboy who relishes the dirt of her East Texas landscape and her new harmonica. Breen’s work has appeared in the Kennedy Center's American College Theatre Festival and the National New Play Network (NNPN)'s Showcase of New Plays. Dir. Tamiko Washington. Featuring Chasen Bauer, Rebecca Cherkoss, Katrina Klein, R. Anthony Martinez & Donathan Walters.

The One-Act Plays

Isosceles by John Lane (Stanton) – A man innocently goes home with a classy woman he meets at a gallery opening, only to enter the strange world she shares with her brother. Dir. Paul Tavianini. Featuring Paul Jasser, Colin Stephens & ErinRose Widner.

Obsession by Colleen Bevacqua (Newport Beach) – A stranded person consumed with an affliction is discovered by others who offer a resolve. Dir. Richard Stein. Featuring Zen Josey, Emily Lappi & Meghan Muriset.

Shrink by Sydney Nikols (Corona Del Mar) – A psychiatrist and a 17-year-old girl discuss issues surrounding self-loathing, leading them to relate on a surprising and personal level. Dir. Andrea Andresakis. Featuring Sarah Eisenberg & Angelia Formisano.

Thug 4 Life by Ken La Salle (Anaheim) – An aging white cynic and a young man of color are backed up against the cold realities of life. Only when they meet one another do they find anything like the truth. Dir. Mark Majarian. Featuring Ken Dalena & Sean Moses.

Visit occentric.weebly.com in the coming weeks to see more about the playwrights, actors and directors, festival parking information, and all kinds of interesting ephemera.

714.902.5716 for ticket reservations

WHEN: Tonight, August 17-August 26, 2012
Fri @ 8pm, Sat @ 2pm & 8pm, Sun @ 2pm

WHERE: Chapman University
Moulton Center Studio Theatre
1 University Drive, Orange, CA 92866

TICKETS: (714) 902-5716
($15, $12 Chapman campus discount)