New Works Festival
One Act Plays written, directed and acted by LMU students. Our annual presentation of new student writing, directed, designed and performed by our talented students. Come see the stars of tomorrow...today!
Presented on Apr. 27-30, Barnelle Theatre
BeheMOTH
In this play, Charles P. Mothmann is in therapy (as most people should be). Unfortunately, the general public’s response to his moth-like attributes only exacerbates his neuroses.
Cast
Andrew Solari (Mothmann), Maddie Shallan (Dr. O)
Production Team
Director Mary Frances (Marf) Candies, Assistant Director Isabel Ellces, Writer Chloe Bonilla, Stage Manager Abigail Poulos
Designed for Loneliness
Welcome to the app that’s designed for deletion. Find your match! Fall in love! Then, delete this app off your phone and live happily ever after.
Cast
Maureen Beld (Tierney), Ari Vozaitis (Kyle), Glen Wong (Astrologist)
Production Team
Director Jenn Robbins, Writer Tremaine Hinds, Stage Manager Amelia Tacy
Doors Closing
One last chance before they shut forever.
Cast
Lindsay Nelsen (Greta), Katie Leszynski (Violetta)
Production Team
Director Lauren (Lolly) Johansen Sheppard, Writer Mia Rehwaldt, Stage Manager Karenina Osuna
Pot
In Pot, Eden and Holland, a married couple with a daughter, discuss whether or not they think they are good parents due to their daughter being in and out of rehabilitation for excessive drug use. While mourning their daughter's innocence, they turn to youthful endeavors to rediscover their own innocence.
Cast
Liliana Chomsky (Eden), Aiden Myer (Holland)
Production Team
Director Sandy Esperanza, Writer Lila Neusner, Stage Manager Bailey Friel
Spiritual Awakening
In this spiritual pop musical, a struggling college student embarks on a metaphysical journey to understand the inner workings of their mind. In an untraditional therapy setting, they meet their ego, higher self, and spirit guides who help guide them to recovery.
Cast
Sara Bunge (Charlie), Aidan Collett (Dr. Hudson), Luisa Ortega Orlich (Spirit Guide 1), Kelvin Rim (Spirit Guide 2), Ellen Hauxhurst (Spirit Guide 3), Ari Goodfriend (Ego), Jade Juan (Higher Self)
Production Team
Book & Lyrics by Cece Trezza, Music by Denise Enrique, Director Yvette L. Bishop, Music Director Denise Enrique, Choreographer Lulu Snow Bishop
Green Hills
Green Hills is a small little play about the price of determination and the existential void that waits for us on the other side of success. It centers on Sonic the Hedgehog, a foot-racing icon whose recent injury forced him to return home to face his neglected wife Amy and come to terms with their atrophied marriage.
Cast
Nick Trafton (Sonic), Alexandra Weary (Amy), Dylan Marusich (Nuk), Iago Lashua (Tails)
Production Team
Director Garret Camilleri, Co-Director Emmalyne Hvizdak, Writer Henry Vaughn, Stage Manager Kaushal Patel
Final Cup
Ben and Skylar have been writing letters to each other — but are they soul mates? Destined to be? Find out in this short play about love. (It’ll be quick.)
Cast
Phillips Peyton (Ben), Bethany Chase (Ash) Sophie Uoo (Skylar)
Production Team
Director Emily Stapleton, Writer Emmalyne Hvizdak, Stage Manager Audrey Szot
A Mother’s Love
Erin is a protector of those she loves, and her girlfriend Andi is no exception. Tonight, Andi tells her parents that she is in a relationship with Erin, and this is met with extreme disgust as they tear Andi down emotionally and sometimes even physically. Erin tries everything she can to be a protector of Andi but in this case, will it be enough? A story all too familiar for so many LGBTQIA+ youths as Andi is fighting for her parents' love which is something she may never have.
Cast
Laura Fern (Erin), Gillian Mozdy (Andie)
Production Team
Director Cole Cook, Assistant Director Greta Zimmer, Writer Robyn Wilkinson, Stage Manager Mia Tracy
Coming
With rumors of the world ending at the end of the day, best friends Jo and Mac adventure through the day like it might be their last.
Cast
Lottie Guidi (Jo), Tatum Nickerson (Mac)
Production Team
Director Haley Skarulis, Writer Sammie Small, Stage Manager Adam Perrotti
The Dead May Listen
After a devastating car crash on a lonely road in the dead of night, two strangers pass the time by talking as they wait for someone to come save them. They share emotional stories, find hope for the future, and learn to care about each other before it’s too late.
Cast
Rocky Jacobs (Alex), Alejandro Santora (Blake), Aiden Myer (Grim Reaper)
Production Team
Director Robyn Wilkinson, Writer Eliza Black, Stage Manager Sydney Rothenberg
New Works Festival Production Team
Set and Costume Designers Audrey Szot, Reilly Fox, Bailey Friel, Hannah Eckert, and Sydney Piggot, Festival Lighting Designer Bo-Yu Chen, Production Designers Jason Sheppard, Audrey Szot (Spiritual Awakening), Bailey Friel (Doors Closing), Amelia Tacy (Designed for Loneliness), Rob Hillig (title cards), Sound Designer Maya Samarasena, Production Stage Manager Lindy Howard, Assistant Stage Manager Jillian Cotone, Festival Producer and Acting/Directing Mentor Dana Resnick, Stage Manager and Sound Design Mentor Jason Sheppard, Design Mentors Leon Wiebers, Chris Murillo and Karyn Lawrence, Dramaturgy Mentor Doris Baizley, Props Master Johnny Burton, Crew Members Taylor Bacco, Renee Hooper, Alexandra Dayka, Niall Sulcer, Chloe He, Billy Jiahang
Thanks to Dean Bryant Keith Alexander, Chair Katharine Noon, and to everyone who entered plays for consideration in the festival.
Special thanks to Arnab Banerji, Emily Stapleton, and Dr. Judith Royer C.S.J.