Company in the News June 2026

See what PlayGround-LA Writers and Company Members are up to this month including: Allie Costa, Evan Baughfman, Paris Herbert-Taylor, Jon Gentry, Greg Cuellar, Jonathan Josephson, Tim Bryant, Andrew W. Lowe, and Abel Marquez.

Tim Bryant’s (He/Him/His) play THE MAN WHO CAME FROM UP THERE will be presented in an evening of staged readings on June 2 by Left Coast Theatre Co. in San Francisco. It’s part of the company’s “XYZa: Queer Stories Across Generations” event. Admission is free. Click HERE for more information.

Allie Costa appears in the animated film “Blooky: The Book Who Wanted to Be Read,” which was selected for the Cannes Film Festival, where it won Best Student Film after screening at the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase. Blooky was also nominated for the College Television Awards (the Student Emmys) presented by the Television Academy. Allie recently played a tenacious reporter in a dramatic sci-fi movie and a sassy animated character in a coming-of-age film, both of which are now in post-production. Check out her episode of “Tell Me What Happened,” hosted by fellow PlayGrounder Jay Rehak. Allie’s play HOW I KNEW HER will be touring various venues in England June 25th-July 11th. For more information on any of these projects, visit http://www.alliecosta.com and http://www.imdb.me/alliecosta

Evan Baughfman’s sci-fi-comedy play, OCTOBER 31, 2063, will have its premiere June 5th-20th, in North Hollywood! Force of Nature Productions will produce the script as part of its show, “No Small Parts,” at Sawyer’s Playhouse at LACAE. What is OCTOBER 31, 2063 about? “Halloween Night 2063. It’s just like the good, old days. Until it’s not. Really not.” (This script was initially written for PlayGround’s Season 13 “Sci-Fi” prompt!). Click HERE for tickets and more information.

Paris Herbert-Taylor was staffed as a writer on Roku’s first TV show – ‘Scarlett Holmes,’ and sold a Rom Com feature ‘Cowboy Hearts’ to Fox/Roku – headed into production this summer.

Jon Gentry’s BLACK BASTARD continues its national tour at the Provincetown Theater 4-Star Solo Show Festival for a 3-performance run. A coming-of-age story set in 1990s Houston, the piece follows a young Black boy navigating family upheaval while discovering literature and confronting adulthood at an early age. June 18th-20th at 7pm. Click HERE for more information.

Greg Cuellar recently received a Drama Desk Award as part of the ensemble of Initiative at The Public Theater in New York, where he originated the lead role of Riley in the acclaimed five-hour production developed with its original company over nearly a decade. Initiative was also recognized this season with a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Best Ensemble. Click HERE for more information.

Jonathan Josephson’s short play FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE will have its world premiere as a part of “No Small Parts” from Force of Nature Productions (June 5-20, 2026). This will be his 55th produced play. His play JULIET AND HER ROMEO, OR WHATEVER was recently published by YouthPLAYS and is available licensing. Visit http://jonathanjosephson.com.

Andy Lowe has been accepted in to the Oneil’s 36th National Puppetry Conference which annually brings together artists of all backgrounds to develop new work across a variety of puppetry styles. This year features experts in the field including Martin P. Robinson, Tim Lagasse, Liz Hara, Jim Kroupa, Lisa Buckley, Kurt Hunter, Alex & Olmsted, Rolling Puppet Alternative Theatre, and Alice Gottschalk. The 10 day intensive will culminate in performances June 12 & 13 at the Eugene O’Neil Theatre Center in Waterford, Connecticut. Click HERE for more information.

Abel Marquez is producing ANGELS IN AMERICA: MILLENNIUM APPROACHES under Bethesda Repertory Theatre’s Under Candlelight series. A new intimate performance series that strips theatre down to its essentials, Under Candlelight is a striking, immersive experience under a candelit environment. Tickets are on sale now, June 5th and 12th! Click HERE for tickets.