The Ohlone College Dramatist Festival emphasizes student artists

The curtain rises again when the Ohlone College proudly presents the 11th annual dramatic festival, an energetic shop window made from original 10-minute pieces and musicals through nationally recognized and emerging playwright and composers from all over the country. The services will take place on the Smith Center on the Fremont Campus on May 8 and 9 at 7 p.m.

This unique festival was produced by the student repertory Theater Company and is a signature event by Ohlone's award-winning department for theater and dance and emphasizes bold new works that reflect the topics, values ​​and curiosities of today's students and young audiences.

The Dramatistrigths Festival continues its mission to revitalize interest in the live theater by incorporating the audience with original short form productions that are tailored to performers and theater goers with college age. Every year, participating playwrights with interviews and videos with student actors are made available and then commissioned to create pieces that react to relevant student topics such as identity, miracles, friendship, courage and self -discovery.

“What makes this festival so powerful is the authenticity it demands,” said Michael Navarra, faculty member of Michael Navarra and Producing Director of the festival. “These playwrights do not write in an emptiness – they write for our students, our community and our time. This connection brings an undeniable energy into every performance and gives our students property of creating something meaningful.”

The festival contains an exciting line -up of ten pieces and musicals, each led by student directors and listed by the passionate and talented theater students of the Ohlone College:

JC Elementary's (first) Christmas spectacular by Max Tachis; Directed by Charles Monk

Super squishy by Eugenie Chan; Directed by Angel Castro

The suggestion by Jeffrey Lo, director of Javier Jovel

I met with cave light by Max Tachis; Directed by Killian Wylde Wheaton

Change. by Chava Suarez (book, music and texts); Directed by Melanie Muñoz

balloon by Mercedes Segesvary; Directed by Gabriel Lew

Black skull By Jacob Marx Rice directed by Diego Rozo

Found and lost by Gabriel Lew; Directed by Antonio Isael Ledesma

Overnight stays and séances by Paige Hutchison; Directed by Ivann Gelico

Break the convention by David Kautz (book, music and texts); Directed by Cassidy Chase

These playwrights and composers have impressive references, whereby the work in regional and off-broadway theaters such as Berkeley Repertory Theater, TheaterWorks, La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe and San Francisco Playhouse are produced.

This year's performances promise a versatile mix of humor, heart and stimulating stories. With a history of the sold -out shows, the festival is still a popular tradition of the community and an artistic launch pad for students and specialists alike.

Ohlone Dramatwrights Festival

Thursday, May 8th – Friday, May 9th

7 p.m.

Smith Center
Ohlone College

43600 Mission BLVD., Fremont

Asl interpreted the performance on May 8th

Ohlone.edu/playwrights

$ 14 general admission; Tickets available on the door