featured plays

47 by Raymond Rogers — ANGELA: Mayda Peraza, LEO: Fernando Sebastian Monjaraz, MS. WILSON: Shannin Stein

Graduation by Sophia DeMoe (co-writing credit: Sage Sagerdahl) — BELLA: Skylaer Palacios, JULIA: Lauren Rascoe

Hour 23* by Sage Gasson — SAM: Rose Curfman, JOEY: Fernando Sebastian Monjaraz, DAVID: Gary Laib (*depictions of obsessive behavior, violence, murder, and description of suicide)

The Open Seat by Luci Rizzo & Prim Seratt — KAYLEE: Lauren Rascoe, NESSA: Skylaer Palacios

Anniversary Dinner by Biana Toussaint— CLARISSA: Mayda Peraza, STEVEN: Gary Laib, WAITER: Fernando Sebastian Monjaraz

Moving Day by Victoria Salazar — MELANIE: Skylaer Palacios, YOUNG MELANIE: Lauren Rascoe

Bereaved by Izzy Mann & Kara Schutz— MYLA: Lauren Rascoe, CASSIDY: Shannin Stein (*offstage suicide, gunshot sound effects, death of parental figure)

Sir Henley Wilkins and the Fourth Wall by Danni Camden — NARRATOR: Shannin Stein, SIR HENLEY: Gary Laib

Production Team

DIRECTOR / ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Ariella Wolfe

DIRECTOR / ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Zouapa Lor

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER: Rose Curfman

LEAD TECHNICIAN: Corinne Balmain

SCENIC & COSTUME DESIGNER: Lyn Dutra

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Sam Cubbage

PLAYWRITING COACH: Nicholas J. Maurer

MSA STAGE CREW: Danni Camden, Justin Rauch, Emily Smith

Directors’ Notes

When telling a story for the first time, you rarely know exactly how it’s going to turn out. While sitting with that uncertainty can be uncomfortable, ultimately, releasing our control over the outcome allows us to make important discoveries along the way. And in those discoveries, we find our voice, our truth. During the Emerging Voices program, that process of discovery is happening on multiple levels: first as the playwrights explore what and how they want to write, next as the production team and actors interpret the work, and finally, how you, the audience, experience it. In the plays you’ll see tonight, each brings to life real moments of self-discovery. Whether it’s a student in a classroom, a couple reevaluating their relationship, or a young woman in the Zombie Apocalypse, they all find new truths through the act of letting go of what feels safe and embracing the unknown. It has been a joy and an honor to hold space for these plays and discover the unique beauty that each holds. Enjoy!

– Ariella Wolfe

This was a really wonderful experience working with everyone involved in Emerging Voices. I was inspired to take on THE OPEN SEAT for its commentary on how women and their relationships are perceived and how they internalize these struggles. It was really funny, though, because during our table read, we had a discussion about if this would happen in real life, and I had realized I actually did something very similar to Kaylee in the past. It made me feel like I connected with these characters even more in different ways and wanted to bring it to life. Then, SIR HENLEY AND THE FOURTH WALL was given to me, and I was more than thrilled to take it on. Monty Python x Indiana Jones was a core idea for a lot of the things added. It was a very fun experience the more we dived into it. I had a lovely time exploring all these pieces, working as an AD too, to see the progress and growth in all these shows, bringing these students' voices onto stage. I hope to see more from Emerging Voices in giving people many opportunities to express their creativity.

– Zouapa Lor

Playwrights’ Notes

The problems that 47 depicts may not be solvable by any one person in the audience, but each of us can contribute to making things a little better. I hope that this script will give you an understanding that will enable you to do so. I would like to thank my parents and my teachers (especially Ms. Pollack and Mr. Jaeger) for their continued support of my growth as a writer and human.

***

I was inspired to write GRADUATION play after seeing that this is something very real that a lot of siblings go through. Though poetry is my main format, I enjoyed writing and making revisions. Sandcastle was a very good experience, and I felt very supported. I hope that my audience can take away a new and realistic perception of change, as well as maybe see a new perspective of sibling relationships. I would like to thank all of Sandcastle, because it was super welcoming.

***

HOUR 23: I am a total psychology and horror nut, and because of this, I wanted to give the genre a try with a less played with format. This has been an amazing experience. I’m very grateful to have had this opportunity and hope to do it next year if I can! I want everyone to be creeped out. That’s it, really. I dedicate my thanks to Rose for not only being a total badass, but also saving me from being locked outside on multiple occasions.

***

THE OPEN SEAT was made to portray the importance of interpersonal relationships between women in all forms whether they be close or distant. The characters’ personalities are very much inspired by the two of us (playwrights) and our relationship, and we hope that maybe other women can see a piece of themselves in Kaylee and Nessa. Thank you so much to Sandcastle for allowing us to bring this story to life!

***

In ANNIVERSARY DINNER, I wanted to tackle the intricacies of a strained relationship while using absurdist comedy to make it interesting. When I wrote the first draft, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue revising and developing the script, because I felt it was lackluster. However, over the course of these past few months I have been able to really find the golden moments of their story and shine a light on the conflict between these two characters. I hope everyone will be able to see both sides of Clarissa and Steven's argument and empathize with them, or at least find humor in this melodrama.

***

I love working with Sandcastle! They are the best and make the writing process very feasible for someone with a busy schedule. I wrote MOVING DAY as I myself am trying to balance my classes, theatre schedule, and the idea of moving out of my family home.

***

We are very happy and surprised to see how far BEREAVED has gotten. It's been great to work as a team, as partner writers, and with everyone from Sandcastle. This play was really interesting to explore when writing, and every moment of working together was fantastic. We are truly grateful for this opportunity, thank you.

***

SIR HENLEY WILKINS AND THE FOURTH WALL began as an idea in my notes app where it might have sat for anywhere between four months or four years. Then, sophomore year I turned it into a short story set in a medieval era, which I submitted to Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and won an Honorable Mention. It never truly felt like the story I wanted to tell was being told, so last year I transformed it into a 10-minute play and changed the setting and many plot points to make the story I wanted. I would like to thank everyone at Sandcastle who has helped me grow as a Playwright over the past three years.

Special Thanks

First and foremost, this program owes a great deal to our partner teacher and program liaison, Rebecca Pollack (Creative Writing). Her care and support of her students’ voice and artistic growth is an inspiration. To our partners at Marin School of the Arts / Novato High School: Thank you to Michelle Cortez (MSA Director) and Shannon Miller (MSA Program Specialist) for their leadership and collaboration; to Steven Hess (Center for the Arts Facilities Manager) for his coordination and support, to Rodney Franz (MSA Theatre) for generously lending prop and scenic items (and his students), to Brooks Fletcher (Visual Arts) and Philip Chidel (Cinematic Arts) for supporting student opportunities for photography and videography, and to district custodial staff for their assistance in accessing rehearsal space. Thank you, thank you, thank you to our actors, production team, crew, and all who contributed behind the scenes to this year’s workshop, rehearsal, and production process for bringing these new plays to life with heart, bravery, and vision. And the BIGGEST thanks of all to the student-playwrights. Thank you for bringing us all together. Congratulations!