Company in the News May-2025

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

Director Cybelle Kaehler is helming a staged reading of All The Things She Never Said at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre’s New Works Festival, running May 17–25. The powerful play explores family secrets and real-life history, focusing on the Madrigal 10, a group of Latina women who sued the LA County USC Medical Center in 1978 for forced sterilization. Get tix here.

Damian Arteaga is everywhere this season! His play Super Duper Happy Immigrant Funtimeland is a finalist at the Full Circle Players: Emerging Voices Festival, with a staged reading on May 10 at 4:45 PM. Meanwhile, his powerful play Busted Open is also part of The LA Chapters at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre, running May 17–25 alongside other new and bold voices. Get tix here.

Steve Harper’s poignant ten-minute play Bless Me, Father was featured in In The Mix, an evening of new works at New Jersey’s Vivid Stage, which ran from April 3–13. A compelling blend of humor and humanity, Steve’s voice continues to resonate coast to coast.

Tony Kim stars in a new short play at the Write of Spring Festival at The Brickhouse Theater with Write Act Rep. Inspired by the art piece Konohama Sajuya Hime, the piece is a poetic and visually rich celebration of life and death. A must-see!

From May 16 to June 7, Evan Baughfman’s short play Pachyderm Getaway will be featured in Broom Street Theater’s “Our Home States: Pacific States Edition” in Madison, WI. Set in Honolulu and inspired by a tragic 1994 event, the play originated with PlayGround-LA’s “Flashback: 1994” prompt.

Collette Rutherford is directing a staged reading of HOPE by Dana Schwartz for Morgan-Wixson’s New Play Festival: LA Chapters, running May 17–25. This exciting new play series highlights original work inspired by the City of Angels—Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm.

Allie Costa‘s Remembrance, which had its beginnings at PlayGround-LA, is making its world premiere as part of Nomad Theatre’s All-Abloom Traveling Garden Plays, running May 22–June 1 across multiple venues in Illinois. Her other PGLA-born play, Boxes Are Magic, was recently produced in England, California, and Oklahoma. She’s also just wrapped two films (one animated, one live-action) now in post-production. Learn more at alliecosta.com and her IMDb page.

Tamadhur Al-Aqeel’s monologue about Hypatia of Alexandria will soon be published by Drama Llama as part of their “Fight Like a Girl” series, aimed at high school performance. This spring, she also mentored puppeteers in an elective course at USC School for Dramatic Arts, continuing her commitment to empowering young storytellers.

Andrew Joseph Perez (aka Julio Maxwell) is gearing up for two exciting romance conventions—he’ll be at Love & Devotion Romance Con on June 20–21, and again at Steamy Lit Con, happening October 31–November 1. Keep an eye out for him at the LA Festival of Books this spring!

Mildred Inez Lewis’s Through Water Into Blood will be produced by Transformation Theatre this fall, following the success of her short piece (Un)bothered, which premiered with AfroSolo and will next be seen in Social Justice Shorts in St. Louis.

Mark Jacobson recently guest-starred in the farewell season of ABC’s The Conners—and yes, he punched Seth Green in the episode! The guest cast also featured none other than Jane Lynch. Up next: catch him in the new season of Apple TV+’s Platonic opposite Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne. Stay tuned—this one’s going to be good!

Janet Song will take the stage in Stains by Sarah Cho at the Great Plains Theatre Commons in Omaha, Nebraska, running May 28–30. This new play promises depth, heart, and a powerful story—don’t miss it if you’re in the area! Learn more here.

Ben Cain is featured in The Staircase at South Coast Repertory as part of the renowned Pacific Playwrights Festival. A great opportunity to catch rising new works by top-tier playwrights! Purchase tix here.

Jonathan Josephson has a trio of new works hitting stages this spring. His new short play WAR, FAMINE, AND BAILEY! premieres at Force of Nature’s “10th Anniversary Rush” short play festival, April 25–27 (details here). His marshmallow rom-com CHUBBY BUNNY will mark its 31st production this May at Owyhee High School in Meridian, Idaho! The second act of his healthcare comedy LIFE IS PAIN is part of Ensemble Theatre LA’s “Sunday’s Best” on May 18 (event info). Get all the updates at jonathanjosephson.com.