Deena Selenow News

Our student bloggers write about how they're coping with the current global health crisis, give insight on their school's performing arts programs, share their opinions on the latest theater news, and so much more.

The process of creating the Fall 2020 Experimental Theatre Wing mainstage production…. entirely on Zoom.

Orpheus, Eurydice, a trouble-making horse and Death herself converge in a very funny and irreverent reimagining of the Greek myth by surrealist poet, playwright and filmmaker Jean Cocteau. Deaf West Theatre views Cocteau's whimsical, magical and highly visual play, first performed in 1926, through a unique lens: translated from the French into Spoken English by John Savacool, into American Sign Language by Andrew Moore, and slated for a run at the True Colors Festival in Tokyo, Japan at the end of April. Deena Selenow directs Orphée in a visiting production at the Odyssey Theatre, opening March 13 for a four-week run through April 5. Three low-priced previews are set for March 8, March 11 and March 12.

Moses and Kitch stand around on the corner - talking smack, passing the time, and hoping that today a miracle will come. The Echo Theater Company presents theWest Coast premiere of Pass Over, the 2019 Lucille Lortel award-winning play by Antoinette Nwanduthat mashes up Waiting for Godotwith the Exodus saga - a rare piece of politically charged theater by a bold new American voice.Deena Selenow directs for a July 13 opening at Atwater Village Theatre. Pay-what-you-want previews begin July 10, and performances continue through Aug. 19.

A love letter to those who shape our lives, hold us together and break our hearts. IAMA Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Mama Metal, a joyfully irreverent black comedy by 2017 Humanitas Play LA award-winner Sigrid Gilmer that entwines issues of identity with pop culture icons to tell a truly unique mother-daughter story. Deena Selenow directs for a May 23 opening atAtwater Village Theatre, where performances will continue through June 23. Low-priced previews begin May 17.

A love letter to those who shape our lives, hold us together and break our hearts. IAMA Theatre Company presents theworld premiere of Mama Metal, a joyfully irreverent black comedy by 2017 Humanitas Play LA award-winner Sigrid Gilmer that entwines issues of identity with pop culture icons to tell a truly unique mother-daughter story. Deena Selenow directs for a May 23 opening atAtwater Village Theatre, where performances will continue through June 23. Low-priced previews begin May 17.

The Fountain Theatre opens its 2019 season of fresh, funny and meaningful new work with the West Coast premiere of an award-winning "break beat play" by Idris Goodwin. Social injustice, racial identity, gender inequity, career ambition and friendship converge - and collide - in Hype Man, directed by Deena Selenow. Opening night is set for a Feb. 23, with performances continuing through April 14. 

The Fountain Theatre opens its 2019 season of fresh, funny and meaningful new work with the West Coast premiereof an award-winning "break beat play" by Idris Goodwin. Social injustice, racial identity, gender inequity, career ambition and friendship converge - and collide - in Hype Man, directed by Deena Selenow. Opening night is set for a Feb. 23, with performances continuing through April 14. 

The Fountain Theatre has announced a 2019-20 season of vibrant, thought-provoking, fresh and funny new work by a diverse group of playwrights, each of whom explores important social and cultural issues from a wholly unique perspective.

IAMA Theatre Company will present three premieres and forge new partnerships in 2018-19, the company's 11th season.

Still one of the most the most unique and thrilling live theatrical offerings you will ever experience, THE CAR PLAYS has once again parked themselves at the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts for another highly-anticipated round of claustrophobic, stopped-in-traffic high drama or amusing hilarity. Produced by Moving Arts under Creator/Artistic Producer Paul Stein, THE CAR PLAYS is again presented as part of Segerstrom Center's annual popular 'Off Center Festival,' its celebration of unique and avant-garde musical and theatrical acts. Because 'seating' is literally limited, there are only so many spots available to take in this incredible site-specific theater experience, which explains why it has been extended an additional weekend---through February 3, 2018---to meet the high demand.

From the playwright and producers of Hit the Wall comes the West Coast premiere of Exit Strategy by acclaimed Chicago playwright Ike Holter. First produced in Chicago in 2014 and then off-Broadway in 2016, this fiery and poetic play will be directed by Deena Selenow. Three preview performances are scheduled for September 26, 27, and 28, and opening is set for Friday, September 29 at 8pm. The run will continue through November 5 in the Davidson/Valentini Theatre.

From the playwright and producers of Hit the Wall comes the West Coast premiere of Exit Strategy by acclaimed Chicago playwright Ike Holter. First produced in Chicago in 2014 and then off-Broadway in 2016, this fiery and poetic play will be directed by Deena Selenow. 

Jennifer Blood (Matilda) presents a reading of Rachel Kauder Nalebuff's The Bumps to benefit Planned Parenthood. Directed by Deena Selenow with a cast that includes Jennifer Blood, Taifa Harris, and Eric Clem, the event will take place at 22 Boerum Place in Brooklyn, NY on August 14 & 15 at 7:30 PM.

Skylight Theatre Company, recognized for their unwavering commitment to developing new works, has confirmed a 2017 lineup of four plays, new to Los Angeles. Works include plays from Luis Alfaro, Inda Craig-Galvan, Louisa Hill, and Queerwise.

The East West Players' West Coast premiere of playwright Leah Nanako Winkler's KENTUCKY stuns and enthralls with its highly dramatic, polarizing emotions emoted by its almost perfect cast. Winkler has written a most involving piece of theatre that walks a razor-thin tightrope between knee-slapping comedy and heartstring-tugging drama. Very nice!

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theatre of color in the country and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for the West Coast premiere of Kentucky, which the The New York Times has praised as "…the full-length debut of a distinctive new voice - mouthy, sly and bourbon sweet, with the expected kick."Written by Leah Nanako Winkler and directed by Deena Selenow, Kentucky begins performances on November 10 and runs until December 11, 2016, with opening night on November 16.  

?The garage door of an actual private home becomes a curtain, rising on Meredith, a single woman who has filled her garage with supplies for any emergency. It's gotten a little out of hand, which is why she's hired Alex from 'Ready, Set, Go' to help her get organized. But neither the supplies nor the prepping expert can prepare her for the personal disasters that her younger sister brings home, on a day when the city seems set to go up in flames. In Case of Emergency, a brand new site-specific theatrical experience presented by Chalk Repertory Theatre, takes place in a garage at an actual private home in Pasadena from June 24-26 and July 1-3. Written by Chalk Rep founding member Ruth McKee and directed by Deena Selenow, in the LA-based company's signature style.

The garage door of an actual private home becomes a curtain, rising on Meredith, a single woman who has filled her garage with supplies for any emergency.

The garage door of an actual private home becomes a curtain, rising on Meredith, a single woman who has filled her garage with supplies for any emergency. It's gotten a little out of hand, which is why she's hired Alex from 'Ready, Set, Go' to help her get organized. But neither the supplies nor the prepping expert can prepare her for the personal disasters that her younger sister brings home, on a day when the city seems set to go up in flames.