Videos of Playwrights Project in Action




Check out the playlist above to see the highlights from our most recent programs, described in detail below!
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Out of the Yard Photos View photos from the June 2019 performances of Playwrights Project's Out of the Yard programs at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility and Centinela State Prison.


Reflections from Inside Participants in Playwrights Project's Out of the Yard programs wrote short scenes and poems that were inspired by Lynn Nottage's play Sweat. These works were presented as an engagement event for San Diego REP's production and were performed on May 4, 2019 by professional actors on the Lobby Stage.

Beyond Prison Walls The following scripts were produced as staged readings in Playwrights Project's 7th annual Collage program at San Diego State University from April 18-20, 2019. Scripts were written in Playwrights Project's Out of the Yard programs at Centinela State Prison, Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, Male Community Reentry Program, and Community Transition Center. These new works illuminate the prison pipeline and offer insights on responsibility, hope, transformation, and love. Scripts were performed by SDSU Theatre students and alumni.

Kicks: A Shoe'sical by Melvin D. L. Price Jr.

At the Top of the Mountain by Eric Marroquin

Ankle Monitor by Ruben

A Conversation with God by Steven

Want Him to Do Right, But Wrong So Easy by Alfonza Phillips 

Paris France & Slim Jim's (A Dog's Tour d'Farce) by Edward Garza

At Mom's Funeral by Gabriel

Remote Love by Mikael Webb

BeeLeaf by Shawn Khalifa

Out of the Yard - Centinela State Prison's Yard C The following plays were written in Playwrights Project's Out of the Yard program at Centinela State Prison. The program was provided by Playwrights Project in partnership with the William James Association with support from the California Arts Council, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and Centinela State Prison.

Want Him to Do Right, But Wrong So Easy by Alfonza Phillips

Honey Bee by Alonso Hernandez

Discovery by Kwamin Stewart

The Jays by Keith Fuller

Tragedy & Blessing by Isaac Delgado

At the Top of the Mountain by Eric Marroquin

The 95th Place, A One-Person Musical by Earl Young

Two Brothers by David A. Rodriguez

Good Intentions by Samuel Leon

Divine Intervention by William T. Jones III

Untitled by Edwin Ruano

The Search from Within by Bomani Boyd

A Raccoon Tale by Jaime Antonio Brown

Power Play by Randy Moore Jr.

 

Defining Moments Excerpts of a Playwrights Project's Defining Moments program at a Juvenile Court and Community School of the San Diego County Office of Education.

Ghostwriters: Inmates use theater to tell their story by Dallis Ontiveros for KYMA11. In Playwrights Project's Out of the Yard residency at Centinela State Prison, program participants and professional actors performed the scripts written by incarcerated playwrights over the course of the ten week residency KYMA11 reporter Dallis Ontiveros attended the final performance and spoke to participants about their experience with Playwrights Project.

Sina and the Eel by Kiegan Lee A winning script from Playwrights Project's 2017 California Young Playwrights Contest. Produced by Playwrights Project during Program A of Plays by Young Writers at The Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre in the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center at The Old Globe in San Diego, California; January 2018.

Some-Body by Tan'yeasia Brewster A winning script from Playwrights Project's 2017 California Young Playwrights Contest. Produced by Playwrights Project during Program A of Plays by Young Writers at The Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre in the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center at The Old Globe in San Diego, California; January 2018.

Idiot, I'm Great by Savannah Spatafora A winning script from Playwrights Project's 2017 California Young Playwrights Contest. Produced by Playwrights Project during Program B of Plays by Young Writers at The Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre in the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center at The Old Globe in San Diego, California; January 2018.

Fire Hazard by Cassandra Hsiao A winning script from Playwrights Project's 2017 California Young Playwrights Contest. Produced by Playwrights Project during Program B of Plays by Young Writers at The Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre in the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center at The Old Globe in San Diego, California; January 2018.

Don't Write Me Off Students involved in the justice system express their wisdom through playwriting in Playwrights Project's programs in San Diego, California, thanks to support from the California Arts Council's Jump StARTS program, the National Endowment for the Arts, Sidney E. Frank Foundation and Qualcomm Foundation.

Out of the Yard - Donovan's Yard E The following plays were written in Playwrights Project's Out of the Yard program at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. The program was made possible by the Sidney E. Frank Foundation, through a partnership between Playwrights Project and the William James Association, the California Arts Council, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the James Irvine Foundation.

View photos from our recent playwriting residency on Yard E at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility.

Awake by J. Phillip

Change of State by Sean Khalifa

Don't Blog About It by Earl Seanior

Hardly Trying by Lamont Tarkington

Other People by Will Smith

Rekindled Flames by John Alexander

Breathe Again by Kelvin Chapman

Love Deferred by Fernando Millsap

My Brother's Keeper by Tyron Williams

Passion of the People by Martin Sarkisyan

The Rival Arrival by Jason Whitten

The Bandit by Darryl Collins

Stars of our World by Lary with 1 R

Out of the Yard: Hero's Quest Short scenes and monologues written by Playwrights Project's Out of Yard playwrights at Donovan Correctional Facility inspired by Into the Beautiful North by Karen Zacarias. Presented as an engagement event with the San Diego Repertory Theatre on the Lobby Stage at the Lyceum Theatre on April 1, 2017. Provided in partnership with the William James Association, with support from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation through the California Arts Council's Arts in Corrections program, the James Irvine Foundation, and an Anonymous Foundation.

Out of the Yard: Finding Our Way A play about the cycle of addiction and recovery written by Playwrights Project's Out of the Yard playwrights on Yard C at Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. Created as a companion piece to Other People's Kids, a collaborative project with SAY San Diego and the US Attorney's Office of the Southern District of California. Produced by Playwright Project and SDSU as part of Living with Hope, performed by SDSU Theatre students in SDSU's Experimental Theatre, March 2017. Out of the Yard is provided in partnership with the William James Association, with support from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation through the California Arts Council's Arts in Corrections program, the James Irvine Foundation, and an Anonymous Foundation.

Other People's Kids by Mabelle Reynoso Four teenagers become entangled with meth, and their lives and families are changed forever. A fictional story drawn from the real lives of San Diegans impacted by methamphetamine addiction. Created in partnership with Commissioned by Playwrights Project, in partnership with SAY San Diego and the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California, as part of the campaign Do Something About Meth. Performed by SDSU theatre students as part of Living with Hope, produced by Playwrights Project and SDSU's School of Theatre, Television and Film, March 2017. With additional support from Camp Barrett Juvenile Detention Facility, Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, East Mesa Reentry Facility, GRF at Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility, McAlister Institute, A New Path, San Diego County Probation, Second Chance, and UCSD Outpatient Psychiatric Services.

Prisoners are Finding Freedom Behind Bars by Jenny Day for the CW6 San Diego

Supermarket of Lost by Cassandra Hsiao A winning script from Playwrights Project's 2016 California Young Playwrights Contest. Produced by Playwrights Project during Program A of Plays by Young Writers at The Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre in the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center at The Old Globe in San Diego, California; January 2017.

Hackathon by Eliana Dunn A winning script from Playwrights Project's 2016 California Young Playwrights Contest. Produced by Playwrights Project during Program A of Plays by Young Writers at The Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre in the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center at The Old Globe in San Diego, California; January 2017.

Pros and Cons by Katie Taylor A winning script from Playwrights Project's 2016 California Young Playwrights Contest. Produced by Playwrights Project during Program B of Plays by Young Writers at The Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre in the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center at The Old Globe in San Diego, California; January 2017.

Inmates write play about life in prison, you can watch it free by Jenny Day for the CW6 San Diego

Out of the Yard: Looking Up by Joshua Jones was written in Playwrights Project's Out of the Yard program conducted at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. The program was provided in partnership with the William James Association with support from the California Arts Council, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the James Irvine Foundation.

Out of the Yard: Moonlight Knight by Michael McCracken was written in Playwrights Project's Out of the Yard program conducted at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. The program was provided in partnership with the William James Association with support from the California Arts Council, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the James Irvine Foundation.

Out of the Yard: Patronicus by Ryan Barber was written in Playwrights Project's Out of the Yard program conducted at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. The program was provided in partnership with the William James Association with support from the California Arts Council, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the James Irvine Foundation.

Out of the Yard: The Boy and His Dying Father by Robert Kennedy Jr. was written in Playwrights Project's Out of the Yard program conducted at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. The program was provided in partnership with the William James Association with support from the California Arts Council, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the James Irvine Foundation.

Out of the Yard: Love in Rehab by William Farag was written in Playwrights Project's Out of the Yard program conducted at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. The program was provided in partnership with the William James Association with support from the California Arts Council, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the James Irvine Foundation.

Defining Moments: Untitled by Jazmin A Staged Reading of scripts by JCCS Students.

Defining Moments: Light by Ke'Ona A Staged Reading of scripts by JCCS Students.

Defining Moments: Always Running by Markayla A Staged Reading of scripts by JCCS Students.

Defining Moments: Rehab by Brian A Staged Reading of scripts by JCCS Students.

Alberto Cordova on Border Lines An interview with Alberto Cordova, who wrote the play Crown Prince Crazy in Playwrights Project's Border Lines program. The program was initiated with support from the Exploring Engagement Fund of the James Irvine Foundation and an Anonymous Foundation.

Fox 5: "Drama program helps inmates find freedom behind bars." Out of the Yard Playwriting Program at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility

Showcase of Playwrights Project's work at Juvenile Court and Community Schools, 2014. Many thanks to the San Diego County Office of Education for creating this video and Carlos Solorio for his footage of the Plays by Young Writers Festival.

San Diego County News Center: A Broken Promise - Kimberly Bell Interview: An interview with playwright Kimberly Bell, interspersed with footage of her play A Broken Promise in its premiere production in Plays by Young Writers at the Lyceum Theatre. Also includes an interview of Derek Livingston. (San Diego County News Center. Suzanne Bartole. February 28, 2013.)

NBC 7: Woman Leaves Juvenile Hall and Becomes Playwright: Kimberly Bell interview with Elena Gomez outside of Juvenile Hall. Includes pre-production photos, no photos or footage of play. (NBC 7. Elena Gomez. February 1, 2013.)

KPBS: Radio Interview of Kimberly Bell by Angela Carone: From Juvenile Hall to the Stage: A Young Playwright's Journey. Includes original music composed for the production using phrases from Kimberly's poem in the play. (KPBS. Angela Carone. February 2, 2013.)

Telling Stories: Giving Voice to Foster Youth is discussed by alumni of foster youth Adam Rajah Gainey and Constance English, along with social worker Vina Sandal and teaching artist Mabelle Reynoso. This video was produced by San Diego Media Art Center, thanks to support from The San Diego Foundation and The James Irvine Foundation.

NBC News coverage of our April 2011 production of Switch, written by Lisa Kirazian for our Telling Stories program. Includes interviews of the playwright and actor Olivia Espinosa, along with excerpts of actors presenting the play at The Lyceum Theatre.

Our Artist in Schools Program 2009-2010 at Keiller Leadership Academy is the focus of this video created by Michael Thomas Tower and Jason Connors. This program is made possible by the California Arts Council, the Sidney E. Frank Foundation and an Anonymous donor.

Got Reality is a video created by Mark Weaver of Deep Storyworks. Thanks to program participant Martin Johnson and teaching artist Mabelle Reynoso of Fighting 517 Productions for program footage.

Press Coverage


Young Playwrights go bold and big in latest Playwrights Project festival at Old Globe Theatre by James Hebert for The San Diego Union Tribune

What Inspires California's Young Playwrights? Faith, Family...and Trash by Dan Letchworth for San Diego Magazine

'Trash' makes the sale as first musical in Playwrights Project festival by James Hebert for The San Diego Union Tribune

Centinela inmates pen plays, earn praise by Julio Morales for Imperial Valley Press

Plays written by inmates presented in free show at Lyceum on Saturday by Gary Warth for The San Diego Union Tribune

"Other People's Kids" deals with meth addiction by Eva Trieger for San Diego Jewish World

Meth Addiction Takes Center Stage by Kinsee Morlan for Voice of San Diego's Culture Report

Inmates At Donovan Prison Write About Addiction In New Play by Brooke Ruth & Maureen Cavanaugh for KPBS

New Play Contains Powerful Message about Meth Addiction in San Diego by Nancy Gannon Hornberger for Times of San Diego

Theater Review: "Plays by Young Writers" by Jean Lowerison for SDGLN

Opening Nights and Goodbyes: Looking Back on SUPERMARKET OF LOST by Cassandra Hsiao for Broadway World's blog

Plays by Young Writers fest showcases talent (and trepidation) by James Hebert for The San Diego Union Tribune

The play's the thing: San Diego's Old Globe Theatre to host award-winning 'Plays by Young Writers' festival by Lonnie Hewitt for The La Jolla Light

12 Days of Christmas: Featured Friend- Playwrights Project for San Diego Writers Ink

See Plays by Young Writers come to life! for San Diego Family Magazine

Playwrights Project announces contest-winning writers by James Hebert for The San Diego Union Tribune

The Journey Begins: 2016 California Young Playwright Winners Announced by Cassandra Hsiao for Broadway World's blog

Playwrights Project inspires people from all walks of life by Lois Alter Mark for The Del Mar Times

Arts-in-Corrections: California's Creative Response to a Broken Prison System by Sarah Linn for KCET.org

Five local artists receive Creative Catalyst grants by Susan Myrland for The San Diego Union Tribune

Playwrights Project tells stories in prisoners' words by Eva Trieger for San Diego Jewish World

Culture Report: The Show Goes on for Prison Playwrights Program by Kinsee Morlan for the Voice of San Diego

SDSU to present play penned by inmates by Gary Warth for the San Diego Union Tribune

San Diego's Flawless Late Winter Social Scene: Playwrights Project's Festival of Plays by Young Writers in FINE Magazine

Playwrights Project Comes to Morse in Morse High School's publication, the Morse Code

Theater Review of Plays by Young Writers by Jean Lowerison for the San Diego Gay and Lesbian News

At Playwrights Project, female writers on the rise by James Hebert for the San Diego Union Tribune

Playwrights Project readies its 31st-birthday fest by James Hebert for the San Diego Union Tribune

Acknowledging Playwright Project's Deborah Salzer Excellence in Arts Education Award by 2015 recipient Ernie McCray for the San Diego Free Press



Press Releases