02/18/03

CONTACT:
Margie Yu
Public Affairs Spec.
(323) 343-3047

Calendar
of Events

What Flames the
Heart’s Passion?

Love, sex, country, injustice—passion beats a different path in every heart. Five stories strike at the emotional and psychological cornerstones of life at the Seventh Annual John Lion New Plays Festival on the California State University, Los Angeles campus, February 27 – March 1 and March 6 – March 8.

These one-act plays, written by CSULA student playwrights: The Funk by Kathleen M. Switzer, The Tutor, by Clara L. Jimenez, Retreats in Quiet Repast by Christina D. Dickinson, D/evi/ance by Andre Goeritz and Queens Commission by Mark Weidman, were selected from a field of 60, according to José Cruz González, theatre arts faculty and festival director. “The five were developed over the past year in the classroom, through tutorials, readings and, for the first time this year, with production dramaturges,” González said. “We also are grateful to the professional guest artists, Laurie Woolery, Christine Deaver, Corky Dominguez, and Randee Trabitz, who are directing in this year’s festival.”

Works from prior New Plays Festivals have been published and produced at regional university theater festivals, González added.

The Seventh Annual John Lion New Plays Festival at Cal State L.A. has been named in memory of John Lion, honoring his achievements in theatre and education, as well as his appointment as chair of the Theatre Arts and Dance Department at Cal State L.A. Mr. Lion, who died suddenly on August 1, 1999, was producing director of the American College Theatre Festival at the Kennedy Center. Lion was responsible for quadrupling the total number of awards for which students and participating institutions many compete. Lion’s earlier 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 theater receive 10 Obie awards, literally scores of Bay Area theater awards, and the Margo Jones Award. He was the author of publications on diverse topics dealing with the theater, and held appointed positions on prestigious panels including the National Endowment for the Arts and Rockefeller Council.

THE JOHN LION NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL will open on Thursday, February 27 through March 1, and March 6 through March 8, running Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m.

WHAT:
THE JOHN LION NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL

WHEN:
Two weekends: Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings,
February 27-March 1 & March 6-8, 8 p.m.

WHERE:
STATE PLAYHOUSE, CAL STATE L.A. – Eastern Ave. exit of the San Bernardino (10) freeway, at the intersection of the 10 and 710 freeways

TICKETS:
General Admission: $10; students: $5.

PARKING:
Public permit dispenser parking is available at 50 cents per hour in Lots C, F and G or upper level of Parking Structure II.

INFO:
Reservations—call the Cal State L.A. Theatre Arts and Dance Box Office, (323) 343-4118.

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