Community Performances

Jewels Returned Writers Circle, Performance April 2024

Witness the Jewels of Playwrights
Project!

Professional actors perform work written in
Playwrights Project's
Returned Writers* Circle
(part of our Out of the Yard program).

April 13 (Saturday)
11:30 AM

Trinity Theatre Mission Valley
1640 Camino Del Rio N.
Suite 129 (near Target)

FREE, all ages.

Sign up sheet available upon arrival.

Seats are first
come, first serve.

*writers who have returned home after incarceration

 

Please email write@playwrightsproject.org for more information.

 

Beyond Prison Walls 2024

Playwrights Project partners with San Diego State University to present the 12th season of Beyond Prison Walls, featuring scripts written in our Out of the Yard program by playwrights at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility and Centinela State Prison.

Click here to view the flyer

These heartfelt and inspiring plays demonstrate the compassion and creativity of the writers in our arts in corrections programs. Students in SDSU’s School of Theatre, Television and Project Rebound will direct and perform these short plays. Each performance includes all of the plays listed below and is followed by a conversation with audience, artists, alumni and representatives from the correctional facilities.

RSVP Now!

April 18th | 7:00 PM
April 19th | 7:00 PM
April 20th | 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM

FREE | SDSU Conrad Prebys Theatre

Featured Scripts:

Goldfish by David Rico
Beautyful by Dontaye Henderson
Treasure by Mike Perez
Home at Last by Steven A. Gonzales
The Bus Stop by Henry Oliva

This program is supported by the California Arts Council and the Sidney E. Frank Foundation. Out of the Yard programs inside correctional facilities are provided in partnership with the William James Association and supported by the California Arts Council's Transformative Arts Program.

 

Past Productions

Remember That Time

Remember That Time is about eleven-year-old Carol pursuing the answer to the question, “Can we be a family?” Throughwritten stories, Carol travels from Paris to deserted islands, with her father who is serving a life sentence in prison. This funny and heartwarming adventure story will prompt laughter and compassion as you dive in to get a deeper glimpse into Carol’s complicated family dynamics.

The play runs about 50 minutes and is followed by a 15 minute talkback discussion. Our patrons will leave inspired by the power of the written word and theatre!

	Date	Time
City Heights Performance Annex	10/20	10AM
	10/21	7:30PM
	10/22	7:30PM

Mabelle Reynoso, Remember That Time playwright and multidisciplinary storyteller, took part in our school and play production programs as a teenager. She has been a teaching artist with Playwrights Project for over 20 years.

 

What Goes Unsaid

This Mosaic production, directed by Antonio TJ Johnson, is a festival of four short plays written by Black playwrights from San Diego centered on characters who are LGBTQI+ and addressing themes of parenting, family, acceptance, and the limits of language. This is a workshop production of four new plays, presented with minimalistic elements to tour to Diversionary Theatre, New Village Arts, and Weingart Performance Annex.

	Date	Time
Diversionary Theatre	8/26	7:30PM
New Village Arts	9/5	7:30PM
Weingart Performance Annex	9/8	1PM
	9/9	7:30PM

 

 

 

Roses Are Red by Mariah Cenea explores themes of self-discovery and strength. A red pen trapped in a blue case must summon the courage to express her true identity. Mariah wrote her script in Playwrights Project’s Out of the Yard program at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility.

 

A Father’s Transformation by Maalik Euring follows the journey of a man who has just returned home after incarceration, who must reconcile his former lifestyle, religious beliefs, and devotion to family when he learns that his child is transgender. Maalik’s play was also written in Playwrights Project’s Out of the Yard program at Donovan.

 

 

Forever for Always, for One Moment Out? by Willie Lang provides insight into the lesser-known private life of Luther Vandross. Willie, who has performed as a Vandross impersonator, wrote his play in a Playwrights Project series in collaboration with Common Ground Theatre.

 

 

 

Family, by Dea Hurston is a humorous and thought provoking exploration of sexual and gender identity and the strong desire for family, as a loving matriarch refuses to discuss family secrets. Dea is an arts advocate and playwright, who wrote the play in Playwrights Project’s Around the Block Playwrights writing group.

 

 

About Playwrights Project's Mosaic Program:
Playwrights Project conducts playwriting programs in schools, community centers, prisons, jail and reentry facilities. Its mission is to empower individuals of all ages and background to voice stories through theatre, inspiring individual growth and creating meaningful community connections. Community programs dramatize stories from adults in the community seniors, alumni of foster care, military veterans, immigrants, justice involved adults and individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. In 2018, Playwrights Project initiated its Mosaic Program, presenting an annual professional production of plays written in our community programs, to validate the experiences of adults from disenfranchised communities and showcase their creative talents, while also honoring the spirit of the former Mo’olelo Performing Arts Company.

The Cell Plays

Artist Statement by Playwright Ratanak Kim:

Out of sight, out of mind. Ignorance is bliss.

We have all heard the saying. This play gives us a peek into the lives of those society condemned. Those we give no mind to. Those we choose to ignore. This play spotlights a reality that will make us reconsider our ideal of crime, punishment, and justice. You will leave this play feeling the way families feel after visiting their incarcerated loved ones: wanting them to be able to walk out with you.

The Cell Plays is an intimate, immersive, site-specific play written by theatre artists in Playwrights Project’s Out of the Yard Program who have experienced incarceration. The play provides a glimpse into the hearts and minds of individuals relegated to living inside a cell. The audience gathers outside in The Headquarters at Seaport, as a group of guests touring a correctional facility. “Prison staff” provide a brief history of California’s criminal justice system and efforts toward rehabilitation, guide guests into the Jail Museum, where audiences experience the play performed by actors in and around the cells. At the end of the performance, audiences are guided outside to a restorative circle for a brief facilitated talkback with formerly incarcerated artists involved in the project. Presented as part of the La Jolla Playhouse Without Walls Festival

April 27th - 30th, 2023

FREE | The Jail Museum at The Headquarters

 

Thank you to everyone who attended this production! We would love to hear more about your experience. 
Please click here to complete a brief survey about the production.

 

 

WRITERS
EDWARD ALLEN (Playwright) is an avid reader and prolific writer, despite the challenge of writing with Parkinson’s. He says that playwriting “gives me an opportunity to escape the monotony of existing in prison.”

BABAK AZADGILANI (Playwright) wrote his first play with Playwrights Project, Blessed Suffering. In this tragic play, an idealist believes in the justice system until he actually experiences it. He comes to terms with the reality that the world is not just. A similar theme runs through his Cell Play, but ends with resounding hope, “Turn this tragedy into a triumph.”

JARED BROWN (Playwright) is interested in fostering growth and using creativity to develop conflict resolution skills. Through his writing and actions, he hopes that people see him as dependable, loyal, insightful, and with fortitude.

CORNELIUS BYERS (Playwright) is a playwright, poet, and performer of spoken word. "I ended up in jail fighting for my life, in fear of losing it…I’ve gained capture of it! To live is to be captured by every moment we breathe. Our value is in what we are loyal to because our love is in our actions!"

DANIEL X. COHEN (Playwright) is a comedy and drama writer and is currently working on screenplays and short stories. He serves as a facilitator for self-help groups. He is currently incarcerated in California. He is a featured writer for Prison Journalism Project.

DEVON DAVIS (Playwright) has described his writing as “comedic morality plays.” He brings a comedic twist to his plotlines and finds humor in everyday life, spreading joy whenever he can. His writing for The Cell Plays is titled Alive with Life Missing. “I used to laugh at my cousin for being a square. (Pause) Man, I shoulda edged up my circle.”

KD FRANCISCO (Playwright) is a poet and writer who sees life as a gift. For The Cell Plays, KD wrote a scene between two cellmates entitled, Keep Your Head Up Like a Nose Bleed. His main character shares these words of wisdom, “Your body is the only thing that’s incarcerated. Remember that. You have to find a routine. Keep your schedule and the time does itself.”

RIGOBERTO GANCEDA (Playwright) was raised in the border town of San Ysidro. He is a first-generation citizen, he loves the ocean and his family. He has been writing for the last 22 years, but it is only in the last year that he has begun to think of his writing as art. He hopes to be able to take you all on a voyage through his imagination.

EDDIE GARZA  (Playwright) is a prolific poet and playwright. His work is characterized by witty word-play, lyricism, and a desire for justice. In his debut book of poetry, “Letters by Moonlight”, he questions the role a poet plays in society, ultimately concluding that the poet's place is at the forefront of the people's struggle. Eddie’s plays have been presented by Playwrights Project at The San Diego Rep and SDSU, notably Paris France & Slim-Jims (A Dog’s Tour d’Farce).

EDGAR GOMEZ (Playwright) wrote sections of the scene about preparing food for game day. He believes in finding joy even in dark times and reminds us that “we are blessed to have people in our lives who care for us.”

BRYAN HERNANEZ (Playwright) has written two plays exploring complicated human relationships and conflicted individuals. He analyzes human behavior through the lens of humor. His writing for The Cell Plays includes the game day power outage and food sharing.

DEMOND HICKS (Playwright) is concerned about racism and history repeating itself. Having been mistreated and singled out, like so many Black people throughout history, he wonders if all people will ever be treated equally and respected.

MILTON JIMENEZ (Playwright) enjoys playwriting because it gets him out of his comfort zone. He values the group’s support and togetherness. His writing for The Cell Play emphasizes the importance of making positive changes and letting your actions show who you are now.

RATANAK KIM (Playwright) is son to Cambodian refugees. He grew up in Long Beach, CA learning about his rich heritage. Confused by the conflict between western and eastern ideology, Ratanak sought out an identity through street culture. With his unique perspective, Ratanak retells Cambodian legends and folklore that relate to modern times. He also writes about issues in his community, and his writing connects people together.

JUSTIN KIRBY (Playwright) is a talented writer and actor. A graduate of the Out of the Yard playwriting program, he frequently returns as an actor for culminating performances. He wrote his play Last Call, as a submission to The Cell Plays, which depicts a young man’s first and final phone call to his birth mother.

JIMMY MCMILLAN (Playwright) is a playwright and spoken word poet who writes under the name Jimmy da Poet. Many of his fans know him as “the greatest poet alive!” He is featured performing a spoken word poem in a suicide prevention video co-produced by Playwrights Project and Richard J. Donovan’s TV Specialist Marc Bossi. Jimmy’s play, Hope Floats, was performed by SDSU students in Beyond Prison Walls 2023.

ULIS MORRIS (Playwright) is an alumni and Facilitator for Playwrights Project’s Out of the Yard program. His play, A Second Chance, was performed by SDSU students in Beyond Prison Walls 2023. His writing for The Cell Plays, Lost Time, whichincludes the poem “Dreams for Better Days” was performed at SDSU Forensic Department’s Social Justice Speaks in Spring 2022.

MATTY PEACE (Playwright) wrote One Day as his submission for The Cell Plays, which focuses on a father who never knew his son and family members failing to recognize his growth and change. As his character says, “In this world of trash – trash cons and trash cops – you like a ray of light.” Shine on!

STEVEN PETERSEN (Playwright) has written several plays and works of fiction. He wrote his Cell Play submission inspired by John Leguizamo’s one-man production about a young Puerto Rican boy growing up in the Bronx. Steven’s play, Can’t Keep a Man Down, captures “a myriad of emotional states… Even guys who’ve been down for decades experience an emotional rollercoaster, and that’s what I’ve tried to put on paper.”

JAMES PHILLIP (Advisor/Devisor/Playwright), playwright, poet and advocate for social justice reform, is a returned citizen who is studying at San Diego State University for a major in psychology and a minor in criminal justice. He has written and performed plays and poetry at Playwrights Project productions at The San Diego Repertory Theatre, San Diego State University’s Experimental Theatre, a site-specific production of The TAG Project at the San Diego River, and at local and national conferences.

KWAMIN STEWART (Playwright) has been incarcerated for over 20 years. He is an active participant in numerous self help groups and a facilitator of several as well, including Cage your Rage, Giving Life back to Lifers. and Mothers with a Message. He has also designed his own self-help curriculum.

MIKEY TROTTER (Musician) is a playwright, songwriter and musician who performed a segment of his song, “Nobody Knows”. He performs under the name Gamin Manchild, and he has had his plays presented by Playwrights Project at the San Diego Rep and SDSU as part of Beyond Prison Walls. Mikey is returning home and looks forward to more creative opportunities.

ROBERT WILKINSON (Playwright) has been writing for many years, including programs with Playwrights Project and Inside/Out Writers. His clever writing is apparent in his submission to The Cell Plays, which depicts prison as “one of California’s larger, secure, gated communities” with “onsite cafeteria”, “medical” and “free laundry pick-up”.

EARL YOUNG (Playwright) is a playwright, poet and songwriter. His poetry has been published in “The Brain From Within The Dungeon.” He participated in Playwrights Project’s very first program at Centinela and is now a Facilitator of the program. His play Friendship Rewarded was performed at SDSU Forensic Department’s Social Justice Speaks in Spring 2022 and an excerpt is included in The Cell Plays. His play Remnants was performed at SDSU in 2021.

CAST
TRÉ BOYD (Omar) is a recent San Diego State University graduate with a degree in film production. His most recent performance was playing Jamie in the The Notifiers for Playwrights Project’s 38th Plays by Young Writers Festival. He is very excited to be a part of The Cell Plays and wants to thank Playwrights Project for this amazing opportunity!

FRED HARLOW (Steve) has been acting professionally for forty years and has appeared in LPH productions of Sweet Bird of Youth and Our Town both directed by Michael Grief. He has performed with Playwrights Project for 25+ years and is ever grateful for this organization.

ARTURO MEDINA (David) is an actor of film, television and stage, with credits spanning 20 years. He first worked with Playwrights Project as an advisor on a production of Finding Our Way, a devised play written by participants in Playwrights Project’s Out of the Yard program at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility.

ASMAR FONTENOT (Public Info Officer) is making his stage acting debut in this production of The Cell Plays. An IT Engineer by profession, Asmar began pursuing an interest in acting during the mid 2000's. Asmar is grateful to the cast and crew for their willingness to teach, share and create together.

TONY PEREZ (Correctional Officer) is a graduate of SDSU theatre program. He is presently teaching theatre for the Chula Vista Elementary School District focusing on literacy, listening and speaking. Tony has previously worked with Playwrights Project, The La Jolla Playhouse, Asian American Repertory Theatre, TuYo theatre and The Lawrence Arts Center.

FRANK KENSAKU SARAGOSA (Ken)(Angel) is thrilled to be making his theatrical debut, and especially to be doing it with Playwrights Project. They do amazing, important work. He is a San Diego based writer and was released from Federal custody a little over nine months ago. Ain't freedom grand!

WREKLESS WATSON (Wilson), involved in the arts since the age of 7, has performed in short films and theater productions and has hosted the Central Avenue Jazz Festival in Los Angeles. Wrekless studied at Harlem School of The Arts, The Julliard School (MAP) and Fort Valley State University. He also holds the title of Mr. Black San Diego.

PRODUCTION TEAM                                   
CECELIA KOUMA (Devisor/Producer) is Playwrights Project’s Executive Director and has worked at Playwrights Project’s since 2000. In 2014, she founded Out of the Yard, Playwrights Project’s programs for incarcerated adults, which she continues to teach. She has a BFA in Theatre Arts from UC Santa Barbara, and has devised and produced numerous original works.

CHRIS BOYD (Devisor/Videographer) is a writer and filmmaker from San Diego. He attended the University of Southern California, and has worked as a Teaching Artist at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility since 2017.

YOLANDA FRANKLIN (Director), is an award-winning actor, director, and producer and is now the first female appointed as Executive Artistic Director for Common Ground Theatre, which is the third longest running African American theatre company in the United States of America. Yolanda is also a community leader and an advocate for those who are undeserved and underrepresented.

ARIA PROCTOR (Production Manager) is Office Manager and Production Manager at Playwrights Project. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B. A. in Theatre Arts, and a minor in Fine Arts. She has worked as a theatre technician and Stage Manager throughout Philadelphia and has recently begun freelancing in the San Diego theatre community.
               
ADVISORS                            
TONY CURTIS (Advisor) is a writer, actor, advisor, and teaching artist. As a youth, Tony wrote and performed with Teen Connection in numerous productions for theatres, schools, and community spaces throughout the state. With Playwrights Project, he has written and performed in works online, inside prison, at The San Diego Rep, and at local and national conferences, and has co-facilitated Playwrights Project’s community programs at Common Ground Theatre and inside Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility.

AHMED KENYATTA DENTS (Advisor) is a 20-year veteran of the San Diego performing arts and media scenes, including 14-years at the San Diego Repertory Theatre, Ahmed has also been an in-studio producer, radio host, live event host, and voiceover artist. Ahmed is also currently Associate Artistic Director at New Village Arts, Director of Marketing and Communications at ALJP Consulting, and Board Member at Playwrights Project and Common Ground Theatre.

PABLO DIAZ (Advisor) does not see himself as an artist, but believes the arts are an outlet for true expression of internal or external issues. All of his plays are approached with a bigger societal issue in mind. He hopes that others relate to the subjects and enjoy the show. He strays from the limelight and wants the attention fully focused on the issues at hand.

BELLA QUEVEDO (Advisor) is a writer, mother, and student. She has a background in education and early childhood development and a Bachelors in Urban Studies from San Diego State University, where she is currently working on a Masters in City Planning. She is interested in the social impact of land development, housing, zoning, and road construction, and how they support women, families, and especially children. She is an advocate for social justice, combating over-policing and the underfunding of those in poverty.

CARLOS VASQUEZ (Advisor) began writing plays and acting in 2017, as a participant in Playwrights Project’s Out of the Yard program at Centinela State Prison. He now visits Centinela as a Playwrights Project Teaching Artist. He has written two films for NY based Reentry Through the Arts and launched his own business as a mentor and motivational speaker, How to Battle.

FAQs                            
CDCR’s mission is “to facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing visiting, education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment.”

“Men’s prisons” also house nonbinary and transgender individuals.

Difference between Jail and Prison                            
To clarify, County Jails traditionally serve as intake facilities, housing for pretrial detainees, and those convicted and sentenced to serve less than a year. State prisons house those with longer sentences. Due to overpopulation a few years back, the state instituted realignment policies to move some prisoners to county jails. So, a jail can now house individuals with sentences of up to 20 years, but they’re typically doing half-time jail time.

The Jail Museum is one of only two police facilities listed in the national registry of historic places.

 

Find out more information here on the recent changes being proposed for San Quentin correctional facility, now with a focus on rehabilitative services.

Recent California Assembly bill clarifying that the purpose of incarceration is rehabilitation.

 

Beyond Prison Walls 2023

Playwrights Project partners with San Diego State University to present the 11th season of Beyond Prison Walls, featuring scripts written in our Out of the Yard program by playwrights at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility and Centinela State Prison.

View our photos of the 2023 Beyond Prison Walls performances at SDSU.

April 6th | 7:00 PM
April 7th | 7:00 PM
April 8th | 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM

FREE | SDSU Experimental Theatre

Featured Scripts:

Blackbird by Daniel Foreman

A Second Chance by Ulis Morris

The Dress by Steven Gonzales

Split-Decision by Dennis Reese

Hope Floats by Jimmy McMillan

Life in a Bottle by Jordan Bren

Donations to Playwrights Project are welcomed to support future programming.

This program is supported by the California Arts Council's Reentry Through the Arts Initiative and the Sidney E. Frank Foundation. Out of the Yard programs inside correctional facilities are provided in partnership with the William James Association and supported by the California Arts Council's Transformative Arts Program.

The Pros and Cons of Feeding Stray Cats
by Christian St. Croix
Produced by Playwrights Project
with SAY San Diego and Elevate Youth

Friday, November 4th @ 1:00pm &
Saturday, November 5th @ 7:30pm

Weingart Performance Annex
3795 Fairmount Ave, San Diego, CA 92105

When Quincy is assigned to work with Victor in a weekend program for teenagers who have been arrested for drug related crimes, a friendship is the last thing she sees with him. The pair soon discovers two stray cats in need of food, and Quincy finds that she and Victor may work well together after all. Commissioned by Playwrights Project in association with SAY San Diego and Elevate Youth, The Pros and Cons of Feeding Stray Cats is a humorous and heartbreaking tale about friendship, choices and cats.

 

Beyond Prison Walls 2022
A Co-production by Playwrights Project and San Diego State University

Click here to watch the recording!

April 21-23, 2022
7:00 pm
SDSU Experimental Theatre

Playwrights Project partnered with San Diego State University to present the 10th season of Beyond Prison Walls, featuring scripts written in our Out of the Yard program by playwrights at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility and Centinela State Prison. Scripts were performed and directed by San Diego State University Theatre students.

Featured Scripts:
The Den of Lions by Darnell Morris

Just the Two of Us by Jesse Rinke

Thumb Fighter by Jonathan Allen Gamond

Never Give Up by Jose Alfredo Piña

One is Too Many by Rigoberto Ganceda

Donations to Playwrights Project are welcomed to support future programming.

This program is supported by the California Arts Council's Reentry Through the Arts Initiative and the Sidney E. Frank Foundation. Out of the Yard programs inside correctional facilities are provided in partnership with the William James Association and supported by the California Arts Council's Transformative Arts Program.

 

Finding the Greatness Within: A San Diego REP Xtras Event

Click here to watch the recording!

Saturday, March 12th, 2022
7:00-8:00pm
San Diego REP
Lyceum Theatre Lobby
FREE

Before the 8:00pm performance of The Great Khan by Michael Gene Sullivan, professional actors and returned citizens performed short scripts that explore what it means to become a man in today's world. The scripts were written in Playwrights Project's Out of the Yard program at Centinela State Prison and in our Returned Writers Circle.

This free event took place in the lobby of the Lyceum Theatre.

Featured Scripts:
Knock
by Paul Kaiser

What Once Was
by Rigoberto Ganceda

Can You See Me
by Glenn Jefferson

Louisiana
by Earl Young

To War or Not to War
by Robert Wood

Tomorrow
by Travon Harris

Having Hope
by Brady Shirley

In Our World
by Carlos Vasquez

 

The TAG Project
Conceptualized by Playwright Thelma Virata de Castro

Watch videos of Performances 1 & 2 on YouTube!

Tuesdays, August 17 & 24, 2021 at 7:00pm

The TAG Project is a multi-part theatre experience produced by Playwrights Project with support from the William Male Foundation and a RALSD Virgil Yalong Quick Grant. It centers around the mouth of the San Diego River as it meets Ocean Beach on the unceded land of the Kumeyaay. Short video plays will explore the various meanings of “tag” as they relate to the themes of belonging and connecting with nature.

Audience members may visit the site and watch the plays on phones or other portable devices (we’ll post maps and a video tour) or engage at home! Look for #TAGTuesday throughout the month of August 2021.

For more information visit The TAG Project – Thelma Virata de Castro 

Conceptualized by:
Thelma Virata de Castro

TAG Playwrights:
Tony Curtis
Shawn Khalifa
Isabella Quevedo
Ruben Radillo
Robert Wood

Director:
Tori Rice

Cinematographer/ Editor:
Christopher Boyd

Production Team:
Cecelia Kouma
Nicole Hernandez
Aria Proctor

Questions? Please contact Playwrights Project at write@playwrightsproject.org.

Help us reach our fundraising goal for fiscal year 2023.
 

 

Testimonials

"Accurate portrayal of the guys inside and this program accomplishes a few things: 1) You have humanized the guys to the outside eye, 2) You brought a rare opportunity to these guys to experience some "outside" in a very personal, meaningful and impactful way, 3) You gave our family a gift and we are grateful."
 
- The parent of an Out of the Yard playwright

"We all wanted to let society know that we're human beings who made some terrible mistakes in life and we're trying to reflect, make amends, and restitution and want to change our lives."
 
- An Out of the Yard Playwright