Culture Clash News

Michael Ritchie announced that he will retire as Artistic Director of Center Theatre Group on December 31, 2021. Having taken over the position from Founding Artistic Director Gordon Davidson in January, 2005, for more than 16 years, Ritchie has led one of the country’s largest nonprofit regional theatres, producing and presenting 266 productions.

Ojai Playwrights Conference (OPC) will be presenting their virtual celebration CONNECTIONS benefiting their 2021 season June 12, 2021. CONNECTIONS will feature new or adapted works by playwrights: Luis Alfaro, Jon Robin Baitz, Father Greg Boyle, Bill Cain, Culture Clash, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Danai Gurira, Samuel D. Hunter, David Henry Hwang, Julia Izumi, James Morrison and his son Seamus Morrison, Jeanine Tesori and Charlayne Woodard. Performers include Brian Cox, Eileen Galindo, Tzi Ma, Rose Portillo, Samantha Quan, John C. Reilly, Israel López Reyes, Nikkole Salter, Jimmy Smits, and Phillipa Soo; as well as some of the playwrights performing their own pieces.

A starry cast, some of whom will perform their own work, has been set for the Ojai Playwrights Conference presentation of “Connections,” a virtual celebration to benefit the OPC 2021 season, on Saturday, June 12 at 5 p.m. Pacific Time/ 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

La Jolla Playhouse has announced its return to live, in-person theatre with several exciting upcoming projects. This summer, the Playhouse will offer two on-site events: the Without Walls (WOW) production of A Thousand Ways (Part 2): An Encounter, by 600 Highwaymen, and the 2021 DNA New Works Series.

The Ojai Playwrights Conference is presenting “Connections,” a virtual celebration to benefit the OPC 2021 season, on Saturday, June 12 at 5 p.m. Pacific Time/ 8 p.m. Eastern Time. A minimum donation of $20 is requested to watch this special 90-minute show.

Nestled away in the backstreets of London's bustling Soho district is Orange Yard. It is a personal and intimate club set to bring something utterly fresh and exciting to the capital with a next-level Funktion One system, specially designed sound treatment, and two atmospheric spaces - the outdoor terrace and a cosy inside dancefloor for 300 people

In sync with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, L.A. Theatre Works will be releasing two audio theater recordings about the horrific Japanese American experience during World War II - Jeanne Sakata’s FOR US ALL and Ken Narasaki’s NO-NO BOY. FOR US ALL’s available for purchase now, with NO-NO BOY on May 15, 2021. Anna Lyse Erikson directs both show’s large ensemble casts, with Greg Watanabe voicing the lead characters in both.

L.A. Theatre Works is releasing a state-of-the-art audio theater recording of A Weekend with Pablo Picasso to coincide with the April 26 anniversary of the 1937 bombing of Guernica, the inspiration for what is perhaps Picasso's most famous painting.

San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) has been awarded three grants to support the theatre's production of Emmy Award-winner Cris Franco's 57 Chevy starring Culture Clash co-founder Ric Salinas.

As we approach the one year anniversary of Broadway shutting down due to the pandemic, the questions of reopening are finally moving from the theoretical to the real. What are the procedures going to look like? In places where venues are allowed to operate at some (or full) capacity, how to do it safely, and will audiences actually return?

The film adaptation of Herbert Siguenza’s solo show A WEEKEND WITH PABLO PICASSO begins its on-demand viewing March 6, 2021. Presented by CaltechLive! and produced by San Diego Repertory Theatre, Tim Powell and Todd Salovey direct WEEKEND, based on Herbert's sold out nationwide, one-man show. The very busy Herbert managed to carve out a little time to answer a few of my enquiries.

L.A. Theatre Works is releasing a state-of-the-art audio theater recording of Bump, a new comedy by Chiara Atik. Based on the true story of Jorge Odón and the birthing device he invented in his garage, Atik's play spans time and space in an effort to grapple with the mystery and miracle of maternity.

CaltechLive! presents the film adaptation of Herbert Siguenza's solo show A Weekend with Pablo Picasso for on-demand viewing beginning March 6 through March 21. Written and performed by Siguenza, the one-man show on which this film is based has played to sold-out crowds across the nation. It was produced by San Diego Repertory Theatre.

The 15 to 20-minute show will highlight one Latin American country each month, showcasing its unique history, geography, demographics, culture and cuisine. Vamos! (“Let’s go!” in English) will be released on The REP’s YouTube channel and Facebook page at 7 PM on the 2nd Monday of each month beginning January 11.

National New Play Network, the country's alliance of nonprofit theaters that collaborate in innovative ways to develop, produce, and extend the life of new plays, has announced the recipient of this year's Annual Commission: Nambi E. Kelley, in partnership with San Diego Repertory Theatre, will develop her new play, Project American X.

L.A. Theatre Works has announced a 2020-21 Digital Season of nine plays. All plays in the 2020-21 season are being recorded in-studio, using state-of-the-art technology. L.A. Theatre Works is the world's leading producer of audio theater. Each of the recordings will include bonus features, such as interviews with the playwrights and more.

Warm, witty, and thought provoking, A Brimful of Asha is the unforgettable true story of a mother and son in the throes of a years-long culture clash.

La Jolla Playhouse has announced five more projects for its Digital Without Walls (WOW) series, including three world-premiere Playhouse commissions by local artists.

Center Theatre Group has announced the immediate launch of their newest venue, the Digital Stage, currently housing its ever-expanding library of education, community outreach and Art Goes On videos. Center Theatre Group has welcomed Casey Nicholaw, Phylicia Rashad and Paula Vogel, as its latest Associate Artists.

As part of Berkeley Rep's virtual programming, on October 3, 2020, for six consecutive Saturdays, a group of the Theatre's esteemed artists will lead virtual three-hour workshops, each on a different aspect of theatrical art-making. Deep Dive: Further Your Craft with Berkeley Rep Artistic Innovators will engage participants in active ways, and provide insight into how working professionals approach their art. Available as a series or individually, these sessions will energize your mind and push you to Further Your Craft.