Company in the News Jan-2024

See what PlayGround-LA Writers, Alumni, and Company Members are up to this January!

Allie Costa just wrapped two films and booked a musical. She was recently profiled in Canvas Rebel. Check it out here! She was also interviewed in Bold Journey. Read it here! Her critically acclaimed piece Phantom Pains was part of a special event in Wales — her performance was recorded in Los Angeles and presented as an immersive audio. Her play Hannah Brown is Not Okay had a stint in London. Learn more at her website and IMDb.

Mildred Inez Lewis has received a commission from ReproEco to write a short play about the intersection of the climate crisis and reproductive justice. More delightful, I believe Spencer Diedrick and I have the first PlayGround Chicago + PlayGround collaboration on a 2024 virtual reading on a Windy City URL.

Sylvia Cervantes Blush (Associate Producer/Company Member) was recently interviewed by Canvas Rebel Magazine about how she earned her first dollar as a creative, became a director, a lesson unlearned and was asked to share her opinion on a thriving creative ecosystem. You can find the online article here.

Sandra Cruze has two ten-minute plays, THE TOWER and SHE WAS DICKS TRACY, on the podcast OpenDoorPlayhouse. She also has a monologue that will go up soon.

Jully Lee will be in the staged reading of EMPTY RIDE by Keiko Green, directed by Jesca Prudencio at The Old Globe in San Diego on January 14 as part of The Old Globe’s “Powers New Voices Festival.” Reserve tickets here.

Maria D. Smith is on episode 11 season 1 of The Black Retreat podcast hosted by Mesha Elle! Listen in to learn more about her creative process, her love for her home state of Tennessee, and the lessons learned from journeying to LA. Listen anywhere podcasts are available.

Evan Baughfman’s next book, TRY NOT TO DIE IN A DARK FAIRY TALE, co-authored with Mark Tullius! Arriving in early 2024! It’s choose-your-own-adventure style storytelling—with 20+ ways to die terribly gruesome, inventive deaths… The premise: “Bookish, teenage Prince Barnaby must collect 5 ‘trophies’ from the Wild Woods in order to win his father’s crown. Aiding him on his journey is bloodthirsty talking blade, Leech. Together, the two must face dangers that are no mere fantasy, as well as contend with Barnaby’s nefarious twin brother, Keaton…” This story has twisted takes on well-known fairy tale characters. (So, the opposite of Disney and, at times, even grimmer than Grimm!) More information coming soon!

Matthew Henerson will be playing Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at San Diego Musical Theatre from February 9 – March 10. Learn more here.