Road Theatre Co. Features Zachary Quinto, Kathy Baker in Summer Playwrights Festival, Now thru 8/12

THE ROAD THEATRE COMPANY and Taylor Gilbert, founder/artistic director together with Sam Anderson, artistic director, remain committed to their meaningful mission to produce and develop new work for the stage. They are thrilled to announce in this, their 21st season, the third annual SUMMER PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL.

This year’s festival features all new works to Los Angeles and has attracted playwright from around the country including Stephen Metcalfe (PRETTY WOMAN) Vince Melocchi (LIONS), Keith Huff (A STEADY RAIN, PURSUED BY HAPPINESS, THE BIRD AND MR. BANKS), Craig Pospisil (DISSONANCE), Mo Gaffney (KATHY AND MO SHOW), Brian Golden (BURYING MISS AMERICA) and others. Guest artists participating in this year’s festival include Kurtwood Smith (THAT 70'S SHOW), Mo Gaffney (KATHY AND MO SHOW), Zachary Quinto (STAR TREK), Emmy winner-Kathy Baker (PICKET FENCES), Perry King (RIPTIDE) and Simon Helberg (THE BIG BANG THEORY).

The Summer Playwrights Festival will open tonight, August 5 at 8pm and run through Sunday August 12 at the Historic Lankershim Arts Center, 5108 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood, CA.

Road Company members are also highlighted with plays by Elizabeth Sampson, Chris Goss, Meagan Bernabe and Sean Spann. This year’s festival features noted directors include Damaso Rodriguez, Joe Banno, Miguel Sandoval (MEDIUM), Mark St. Amant, Scott Alan Smith, Sam Anderson (LOST), Steve Robman (AGAINST THE WALL, LONE STAR), Ron Lagomarsino (PRETTY LITTLE LIARS), Julia Fletcher and many Road company members and members of the Los Angeles theater community. Most of the playwrights whose work is featured will be attending and will participate in a post-show discussion with the audience and cast. Artistic directors Taylor Gilbert and Sam Anderson on the importance of the festival to the theatre, “The Road's Summer Playwrights Festival offers a wonderfully compressed period of new works and voices from established and emerging playwrights brought to life by the Road ensemble and guest artists who interact in lively discussions with our audiences, different live bands each evening, great food and drink and a tremendous sense of community between artists and theatregoers. An unforgettable event.”

Live Music!

One popular feature of the festival last summer was the live music that was featured during each reading reception in our gallery space. This year’s festival will feature the bands and musicians Bianca Giselle, Stage 11, Engine of Survival, End of Ever, Louahn Lowe, Reconciler and Irish band sensation Whiskey Sunday. The reception will be held in our backyard patio-Bettina’s Cantina-and will feature wines from Los Angeles’ own San Antonio Winery and home baked treats made by our company.

The Road Theatre Company

Located in the heart of the NoHo district (the fastest growing arts district in Los Angeles County) the company has called the Historic Lankershim Arts Center home for the past 16 seasons. Now on the verge of their 22nd season of bringing new works to Los Angeles, the company is coming off a very successful 21st season featuring the smash hit That Good Night (directed by festival director Scott Alan Smith) and critically acclaimed The Water's Edge (directed by Sam Anderson).

Fiercely committed to that most dangerous of theater missions-the dedication to new works-the Road Theatre Company led by founding artistic director Taylor Gilbert and artistic director Sam Anderson, is a multi-award winning theater that has been named one of the top ten intimate theater companies in Los Angeles (LA Weekly). It is home to over 100 theater artists devoted to the creation of the highest level of work. This festival is our way of sharing the process of play development with our community and allows participants playwrights the chance to hear their plays in a professional setting of talent and artistry. The festival is also a fundraising event for the theater to help us launch our 22nd season and move into our new 77 seat purpose built theatre space at the NoHo Senior Arts Colony. A suggested donation of $15 is requested of festival attendees and they are invited to give as little or as much as they want during each days performance.

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