Producer’s Statement
Lionheart began last year with a simple but powerful desire: a group of Los Angeles artists wanted to create and share meaningful work without waiting for permission, an invitation, or the “right” opportunity. We came together with passion, determination, and a willingness to figure things out as we went. While there was producing experience among us, none of us had created something quite like this before. What emerged was imperfect, ambitious, collaborative and truly beautiful.
This year, we decided to dream even bigger. We moved into a theatre twice the size, expanded our programming, and brought even more design, technical, and storytelling ambitions to life. Every step of growth brought new challenges, but it also brought new possibilities, new artists, and new moments of connection.
What has not changed is the heart of Lionheart. We still believe that now is the time to make art. We still believe that beautiful things deserve to be brought into the world, even before we feel completely ready. And we hope that by doing so, we offer a reminder to others: you do not have to wait for the perfect moment, the perfect circumstances, or the perfect door to open. Sometimes the most meaningful work begins when you take a leap, trust your community, and create anyway.
Thank you for joining us, supporting independent theatre, and being part of this growing artistic family. We are honored to share these stories with you.
— E Alan, Lead Producer
Lionheart Play Festival
Tap each title for more information on directors and actors!
Written by Mike Bartlett
Directed By Mac Rogers
Charlotte Hacke as A
Christian Skinner as B
Two friends struggle to reconcile as their differences become more apparent.
Gruesome Playground Injuries (excerpt)
Written by Rajiv Joseph
Directed by Whitney Ann Jenkins
Amanda Beck as Kayleen
Calvin Picou as Doug
Rajiv Joseph’s Gruesome Playground Injuries unfolds like a prism of memory — two souls drawn together across thirty years by wounds both seen and unseen, with one question at the heart of it all: why do we hurt ourselves to gain another’s love?
Directed by Amber Steiglefest
Written by Sam Bianchini
Stacy Snyder as Lee
Terry Walters as Bessie
A true story. An invitation. A repair. A homecoming. A reclamation.
Written by Samuel D. Hunter
Directed by Christian Skinner
Kipleigh Brown as Trisha
Mac Rogers as Chris
Stuck in their hometown, haunted by a plagued past, A mother and son try to shrink the space between them.
Written by Terrence McNally
Directed by Calvin Picou
Janet Chamberlain as Margaret
Elizabeth Jouvenat as Katharine
A pilgrimage is turned on its head when two outwardly unremarkable, middle-aged lady friends throw themselves into a rousing tour of India, each one having her own secret dreams of what the fabled land of intoxicating opposites will do for the suffering she hides within.
*Fifteen Minute Intermission
Written by Linden Waddell
Directed by Aaron Ford
Linden Waddell* as Linden Waddell
“Family and Fate” merge in these selections from the one-woman show, It’s All Relative, a musical cabaret celebrating our crazy families. Songstress Linden Waddell shares lighthearted personal family stories that become universal, as we’ve all been there/done that, putting up with FAMILY.
“Consider Yourself” music and lyrics by Lionel Bart
“I’m My Own Grandma” music and lyrics by Dwight Latham and Moe Jaffe, custom lyrics by Linden Waddell
“Ode de Toilet” music and lyrics by Brad Paisley, custom lyrics by Linden Waddell
“Momisms” music by Rossini, lyrics by Anita Renfroe
“Everything Possible” music and lyrics by Fred Small.
All accompaniments arranged by Marjorie Poe and Linden Waddell.
Written by Sarah Treem
Directed By Charlotte Hacke
Kimberly Kehoe as Kim
Rori Flynn as Amanda
A Feminine Ending is a bittersweet play about dreams deferred, loves lost, and learning to trust a woman’s voice in a man’s world. In this scene, we find Amanda, an aspiring composer, visiting her mother, Kim, who’s packing up to leave her father.
Written by Ike Holter
Directed By Amber Steigelfest
Noa Lev-Ari as Peg
Sam Bianchini as Madeline
June 28,1969. 3:45 AM. Police Station. New York City. Under the shadow of the Stonewall Riots, estranged sisters confront who they are and what they’ll fight for.
Written by James McLure
Directed by Noa Lev-Ari
Alexandra Deigh as Hattie
Sari Sanchez as Elizabeth
Fueled by bourbon and memory, two lifelong friends dig into the past and confront the realities of love, marriage, and growing older in Laundry and Bourbon by James McLure.
*Denotes Members of the Actors’ Equity Association.
This production is being presented under the auspices of the Actors’ Equity Association Los Angeles Self-Produced Project Code.
Head Produced by Elizabeth Mae Alan
Executive Produced by Noa Lev-Ari
Associate Produced by Charlotte Hacke
Prop & Set Dec Coordination by Christian Skinner
SPECIAL THANKS
Amanda Beck
Bailey Humiston
Charlotte Hacke
Elizabeth Alan
Elizabeth Jouvenat
Emilio Lev-Ari
Janet Chamberlain
Julie Hubert
Kimberly Kehoe
Linden Waddell
Stacy Snyder
THANK YOU to Our Sponsors
