California State University, Los Angeles

Department of Music, Theatre and Dance

Presents:

New

The John Lion

Plays Festival
Readings
Thursday, February 20,
2014
1:30 p.m.

Arena Theatre

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The 2013 John Lion New Plays Festival

Audition Dates
February 24 and 25th, 2014 Starting at 7 p.m.
Callbacks on February 26, 2014
All are welcome to audition any major. Performance course
registration is required for participation.
Sign up outside the Production Office TA 110 for a time slot
starting Monday, February 18.
Please prepare a short, contemporary monologue.

And be sure to join us for

The John Lion New Plays

Festival
May 16-18, 22-24 2014
at the Luckman Intimate Theatre
The John Lion New Plays Festival at Cal State L.A. was named in
memory of John Lion, honoring his achievement in theatre and
education, especially in the development of new plays and
playwrights. Lion, who passed away on August 1, 1999, was
producing director of the American College Theatre Festival at the
Kennedy Center. Prior to his tenure at the Kennedy Center, Lions

work as founder of the Magic Theatre in San Francisco made him

an icon of the American Theatre. His residency at the Magic
saw the theatre received 10 Obie Awards scores of Bay Area
Theater awards, and the Margo Jones Award for a "citizen-of-thetheatre who has demonstrated a significant impact,
understanding and affirmation of the craft of playwriting, with a
lifetime commitment to the encouragement of the living theatre
everywhere." He authored publications on diverse topics
regarding theatre. Lion served on prestigious panels including the
National Endowment for the Arts and Rockefeller Council.

Play Descriptions
In Correr con los Toros (Running with the Bulls), by Josh Fleming, Jacob
Thompson, an anxious guy, has come to Pamplona, Spain for reasons of his own to
run with the bulls. This smart comedy will tickle your insides!
In Child of Promise by Sandra Chingasiyeni Nduna. A young girl named Thembi
lives on the streets in Zimbabwe fighting to save her unborn child. An inspiring solo
performance with music and song.
In The Perfect Marriage by Marc Cardiff. A mature couple has decided to unmarry one another and all hell breaks loose when their best friends find out. A
comedy that takes no prisoners!
Playwright Biographies
Josh Fleming recently earned his MA in Theatre Arts at CSLA. In 2005 he earned an
MA in Communication Studies at CSLA. He is an assistant professor at Pasadena City
College where he now enjoys teaching in both departments and directing the
college's forensics team. Josh would like to especially thank Professors Jos
Gonzlez, Susan Mason, and David Olsen for their wonderful support and
knowledge.
Sandra Chingasiyeni Nduna holds a B.A. in Television, Film and Media studies
with a minor in Music and is currently pursuing an MA in Communications at CSLA.
While performing as Storyteller in the African epic-tale The Cloud Gatherer, she
discovered a deep passion for Theatre and felt inspired to continue being a voice for
her motherland, Africa. She is thus thrilled to be a featured playwright in The John
Lion New Plays Festival Readings. She would like to thank Professor Jos Cruz
Gonzlez and Dr. Susan Mason for taking a chance and opening the door to her first
acting experience in The Cloud Gatherer and now her first playwriting experience in
Child of Promise.
Marc Cardif has been a theatre professional for many years. As an assistant
director, he worked on both Mauritius at the Pasadena Playhouse (with director
Jessica Kubzansky) and Hansel and Gretel and Don Giovanni at the El Portal Theatre
(with director Gary Davis). As an actor, Marc has appeared as Gaston in An Empty
Plate at the Caf du Grand Boeuf at the Laguna Playhouse; Admiral Sorinsky in the
world premiere of Gulls at the Theatre at Boston Court (Pasadena); Tom, Phyllis, and
Leslie in Sylvia at the Rubicon Theatre Co. (Ventura); The Company Founder in
Bukowsical! (NY Fringe Festival winner); Boyet in Loves Labours Lost at Quest
Theatre Co. (London, UK); Juan Pern in the 25th Anniversary National Tour of Evita

(supervised by Harold Prince); and Dick Deadeye in HMS Pinafore at Arizona Theatre
Co. (ariZoni award). Marc is a graduate of Occidental College and earned his MA in
Theatre at CSLA in 2013.
Festival History
Since 1997, CSULAs former Theatre Arts & Dance Department (now Music, Theatre
Arts & Dance) has premiered 60 new plays written by our undergraduate and
graduate students in The John Lion New Plays Festival. Past highlights include
recognition by the prestigious Kennedy Center/American College Theatre
Festival. Each play has been developed through tutorials, workshop readings, and
production. Our playwrights have collaborated with guest directors, designers,
faculty, actors, and student dramaturgs throughout the process.
2014 Festival Participants
Jos Cruz Gonzlez, Festival Director
Susan Mason, Festival Dramaturg
Mav Viola, Associate Dramaturg
Ricardo Salinas, Festival Reading Stage Manager
Festival Host: Callie Prendiville
Dramaturgs Naomi Bennet, Cynthia Cales,
Hannah Schulthesis-Gerry, Malik McCall, Chad Restum

Correr Con Los Toros (Running With The Bulls) by Josh Fleming
Directed by Armando Molina
Place: The action fluctuates between a plaza and a bullpen in Pamplona,
Spain.
Time: The present, late afternoon, the same night, and the following
morning during the San Fermin Festival.
Cast
Jacob Thompason Luke Bellmonte
Buddy Ricardo Salinas
Lisa Jeannette Franco
Doctor, The Bull, Ernest Hemingways Beard, Orderly Collin Bressie
Stage Directions Roxanne Aparicio
Child of Promise by Sandra
Chingasiyeni
Nduna
Directed by Jos Cruz Gonzlez
Place: Downtown Harare,
Zimbabwe.
Time: 2008.
Cast
GriotAmbuya Tabitha, Thembi,
Malume, Boys, Tamai, Nurse,
Receptionist, Doctor, Mandy

Sandra
Chingasiyeni Nduna
Talking Drum - Andr Richards
Stage Directions Aspen Ford
The Perfect Marriage by Marc Cardiff
Directed by Laurie Woolery
Place: A steakhouse.
Time: The Present. Evening.
Cast
Emily Tanya Kane-Parry
Blake Chad Restum
Don Robert Ellesworth
Alice Montica Pes
Candy Chelsea Beller
Stage Directions Kirbie Puestow