production images

About Productions

creates original interdisciplinary theater work and educational programs that provoke new perspectives on history and humanity. The company is dedicated to collaboration in generating new work in order to create artistic and community dialogue.

INNOVATION: The L.A.-based company has been creating critically

Read more...

From Noir to Now

About...Productions’
BLEEDING THROUGH

EXTENDED THRU DEC 6!

GO!  -- L.A.  Weekly
"Chavez and Portillo's expansive "surround" set...offers a unique staging that, along with the accompaniment of live musicians...immerses the audience in the noir world...angular lighting, detailed costumes, well-integrated video, and installation of historical artifacts, which the audience is allowed to explore at intermission, all enhance the ambience as well."

Click here for the full L.A. Weekly review: http://blogs.laweekly.com/style_council...

...a surround-sense THEATRICAL ADVENTURE 
that's EVOCATIVE in every way...
     -- BACK STAGE, http://backstage.com...
 
“…it’s fun just to let the story and characters wash over you – you feel like you’re back in the LA of the 1920s to 1940s.”
     -- John Rabe, KPCC's Off Ramp

For full review click here: http://www.scpr.org...

  “Bleeding Through was exceptional. An interactive experience of the heart and mind coming together.”
     -- Nancy Mills, www.talesofdowntown.com

PURCHASE TICKETS



BOX OFFICE INFO: 800/595-4TIX (4849)

GENERAL INFO: 626/396-0920

A theatrical layering of live music, video, and interactive setting, BLEEDING THROUGH uncovers the narrative ghosts of L.A.’s Historic Angelino Heights District and the adjacent Downtown area—a neighborhood where more cinematic “murders” have occurred than anywhere else in the world. This noir-influenced theaterwork, adapted from Norman Klein’s highly praised novella, explores the shaping of a city’s memory by commonplace experiences, chronicled history and cinematic influences.

Co-written & co-directed by Theresa Chavez & Rose Portillo
Adapted from Norman Klein’s novella

OCT 23 – DEC 6, 2009
Thur-Sat 8PM; Sun 3PM

NO SHOW 11/26 & 11/27


OPENING NIGHT: Sat, Oct 31
$40 includes post-play Noir Costume Party

Shakespeare Festival/LA
1238 W. 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Original Music: Vinny Golia

Featured musician: Scott Collins

Ensemble Actors:
DAVID FRUECHTING
BRIAN JOSEPH
LYNN MILGRIM
PETE PANO
ELIZABETH RAINEY
ED RAMOLETE
JAMES TERRY
and KIKEY CASTILLO

Set Design:
Akeime Mitterlehner

Lighting Design:
Francois-Pierre Couture

Costume Design:
Pamela Shaw

Videography:
Claudio Rocha

FREE STREET PARKING and HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE

TIX:
General: $25 Fri-Sun; $20 Thur.;
Students/Seniors: $20 Fri-Sun; $15 Thurs.
Groups(6+): $10

BOX OFFICE INFO:
800/595-4TIX (4849)

PURCHASE TICKETS



GENERAL INFO: 626/396-0920

Bleeding Through is supported in part by:


About…Productions
is celebrating its 20th Anniversary!!


Wonderful things are happening at About…Productions! As we celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we are proud to announce new programs, new productions, and new board members.

A Mini-Festival of Original Staged Readings

3 FREE EVENTS!
Written by Young Theaterworks Student Playwrights and Performed by Professional Actors & Student Participants


Pueblo High School
@ Company of Angels
Tues, APRIL 28 @ 7 PM
Inside the Black Box @ The Alexandria Hotel
501 S. Spring Street, 3rd Floor
Downtown Los Angeles, CA 90013
(lot and free street parking available)

Whitman High School
@ Greenway Court
Wed, APRIL 29 @ 6 PM

544 N. Fairfax Ave (near Melrose)
L.A. CA 90036
(free lot parking)

Crosstown Culmination &
Community Forum
@ Shakespeare Festival/LA
Wed, MAY 13 @ 11 AM

1238 W. 1st Street
L.A. CA 90026
(free street parking)
Both schools present their work and
participate in a post-show discussion
in the Crosstown Forum.

Click Here for the Flyer

ABOUT… YOUNG THEATERWORKS’ CROSSTOWN VOICES

YOUNG THEATERWORKS is a transformative literacy program that introduces youth to the importance of writing, and the power of communication through artistic expression.

CROSSTOWN VOICES - gives youth from 2 continuation high schools in two separate neighborhoods a chance to transcend the urban gap, and challenge existing perspectives of themselves and their crosstown peers by coming together to share and discuss their original work and creative processes. Midway through the program, participants from both schools formally meet at a neutral site in a third neighborhood in order to begin forming connections through guided dialogue.

We would like to thank our partner classroom teachers and principals at Pueblo High School and Whitman High School. YOUNG THEATERWORKS’ Crosstown Voices ’09 is made possible in part, by a grant from the California Council for the Humanities as part of the Council’s statewide California Stories Initiative, Hot Topic Foundation, United Latino Fund and the S. Mark Taper Foundation.

NEW $20 FOR 20 CAMPAIGN

About…Productions is asking our community of supporters to join us in marking this occasion by simply making a donation of $20 to celebrate our 20 years of service to the Greater Los Angeles area. In 20 years we have reached millions with local and regional productions, exposure on national television, nationwide touring, and ten straight years of National Endowment for the Arts support. From original productions like By the Hand of the Father to Young Theaterworks to our senior program STAGES, we have worked with hundreds of renowned artists, deeply creative students, and vibrant seniors in the development of these one-of-a kind programs.

Find out more about our $20 for 20 Campaign

NEW PRODUCTIONS

About…Productions is enthusiastically preparing for the 2009 premier of Bleeding Through, site-specific theater work based on Norman Klein's inventive novella. We are also excited to announce that we have begun the preliminary steps in collaboration with Los Lobos musician/composer Louie Perez on an original theater piece to premiere in 2011. Stay tuned for more updates!

SAVE-the-DATES!

Bleeding Through Work-in-progress Concert Reading
Sun, JUNE 7 @ 3PM

Shakespeare Festival/LA
1238 W. 1st Street, L.A. 90026
FREE

AND

From Noir to Now
A Garden Party Fundraiser
Sun, JUNE 14 @ 1PM and 4PM

A performance of excerpts from Bleeding Through in a private home in historic Angelino Heights.

NEW FUNDERS

About…Productions is honored to welcome our newest funders — the S. Mark Taper Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, Hispanics in Philanthropy, and the California Council for the Humanities; and thank our consistent supporters—Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, L.A. County Arts Commission, California Arts Council, Hot Topic Foundation, and the United Latino Fund.

NEW BOARD MEMBERS

About…Productions is also excited to welcome Dr. Jill Aguilar, Deb DePuy and Maria Robles Meiers to our Board of Directors. We look forward to their leadership as AP celebrates this exciting chapter in our growth as a one of the most vibrant theater companies in the Southern California. We look forward to sharing board profiles in the coming months!




About Productions'
BLEEDING THROUGH

presented by Edge of the World Theatre Festival’s
2008 Los Angeles History Project

A Work-in-Progress Staged Reading
SUN, July 20 @ 1PM


An adaptation of Norman Klein’s
Bleeding Through
by Theresa Chavez and Rose Portillo
With additional contributions by Norman Klein
Live Music by Vinny Golia
Live Video by Aleigh Lewis
Performed by Justin Huen, Frier McCollister, Ed Ramolete,
Elizabeth Rainey, and Susie Tanner

Autry National Center’s Wells Fargo Theater
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA, 90027-1462
FREE Admission and FREE Parking
INFO: www.edgeoftheworld.org

About Productions’ current work-in-progress, Bleeding Through, is inspired by and adapted from Norman Klein’s inventive novella (Bleeding Through: Layers of Los Angeles, 1920-1986). Using elements of theater, film/video, and live music, the piece uncovers the narrative ghosts, both fictional and non-fictional, of the L.A. Historic District of Angelino Heights.

Bleeding Through also explores how a city and its inhabitants remember themselves through their own personal and cinematic lenses. The project is being designed as a site-specific work to take place in an Angelino Heights home in Spring, 2009.

Young Theaterworks




About Productions presents
Young Theaterworks
Staged Readings!




Untold Stories
Written by students from
Walt Whitman
Continuation High School
Tuesday, June 3rd @ 7PM

Fairfax High School Auditorium
7850 Melrose Ave L.A. 90046





Life Goes On
Written by students from
Pueblo de Los Angeles Continuation High School
Thursday, June 5th @ 7PM

Plaza de La Raza's Margo Albert Theater
3540 N. Mission Rd. L.A. 90031

PLUS!

The FIRST Young Theaterworks Cross-town Community Forum
Wednesday, June 11th @ 11:00AM
East West Players
120 North Judge John Aiso Street, L.A. 90012
(Little Tokyo between Temple and 1st Streets)

Students at these two LAUSD Continuation/Options Schools have worked directly with Program Director, Rose Portillo, and other Young Theaterworks Teaching Artists over the past 3-months exploring themes of neighborhood, family and community. Each school has created its own original theatrical work to be presented as a staged reading, performed by both professional and student actors, for family and friends in their respective neighborhoods on June 3rd and 5th.

In addition, on June 11th we are bringing these two schools together to share excerpts of their work as a way of building a bridge between these two distinct communities. A facilitated discussion will follow the theatrical presentation.

Young Theaterworks is a literacy-based theater program, initiated in 2001, that brings About Productions’ aesthetic into the classroom. Students are guided through a process in which they work individually and collectively to create an original script that explores personal identity, family history, culture and other issues that directly affect their lives.

A special THANK YOU to our 2008 funders for their generous support!
California Arts Council, The Disney Company, Hot Topic Foundation, United Latino Fund, and Walt Whitman High School/LAUSD.

SHOWING OUR AGE



About...Productions'
SHOWING OUR AGE
Everyone has a story to tell...

APRIL 9 - APRIL 27, 2008
Wed & Thurs @ 11AM
Fri & Sat @ 8 PM / Sun @ 2PM
BENEFIT PERFORMANCE on Sun, April 20

[INSIDE] the Ford
Ford Amphitheatre's INDOOR Theater
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East
Hollywood, CA 90068

FREE PARKING + HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE
TIX: $20 general, $15 student/seniors,
$10 group (6+)

Box Office/info:
323/461-3673 (Ford box office)
www.fordtheatres.org
626/396-0920 (About...Productions)

A multi-layered world of theatrical storytelling with live music and song, SHOWING OUR AGE explores the myths, realities, and fantasies of aging and the aged. A multi-talented ensemble of actors and musicians play multiple characters and bring to life the transformation of a generation and the struggles of those who care for them.

Written by LAUREL OLLSTEIN with contributions from Doris Baizley, Joyce Guy, Rose Portillo, Denise Uyehara + Steven Wolfson
Co-directors THERESA CHAVEZ + LAUREL OLLSTEIN
Musical Direction ROBERT ANDERSON
Original Music ROBERT ANDERSON + MELODY BUTIU
Lyrics STEVEN WOLFSON + LAUREL OLLSTEIN
Featured actors: MELODY BUTIU, RALPH COLE, Jr., RAMON HILARIO, ROSE PORTILLO, KEVIN SIFUENTES, + BERNADETTE SULLIVAN
Featured musicians: ROBERT ANDERSON, NOAH NEEDLEMAN, & ADRIAN TORRES

SHOWING OUR AGE is an original theaterwork and an extension of our STAGES program that provides seniors the opportunity to work with writers who then transform their stories into live theater.

Stages Staged Readings


Grace and Jack Fujimoto
photo credit: Stacy Halper
STAGES Staged Readings

Fri, Nov 30, 2007 @ 1PM
Sun, Dec 2, 2007 @ 1PM
Culver City Senior Center

STAGES provides L.A. seniors with the opportunity to work with writers who then transform their stories into live theater.


Sunday Solstice Salon- June 24th

About...Young Theater works presents: What if?

About...Young Theater works presents: If Only You Knew...

Showing our Age


EXPERIENCE
our newest work-in-progress

SHOWING OUR AGE

SATURDAY, March 17, 2007 @ 2PM
-OR-
SUNDAY, March 18, 2007 @ 7PM

[INSIDE] the Ford
John Anson Ford Amphitheatre's INDOOR Theater
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068
FREE ADMISSION! FREE PARKING!!

INFO: aboutpd@aol.com or 626/396-0920

"SHOWING OUR AGE" is an original theaterwork and an extension of our STAGES program. STAGES provides seniors the opportunity to work with writers who then transform their
stories into live theater.


The staged reading will highlight stories from our STAGES program adapted into a script written by LAUREL OLLSTEIN with live music written by ROBERT ANDERSON


Co-directed by THERESA CHAVEZ and LAUREL OLLSTEIN

Featured actors include
MELODY BUTIU, RALPH COLE, Jr., JIM HAYNIE, JOHANNA McKAY, ROSE PORTILLO and MARCO RODRIGUEZ

Contributing writers include
Doris Baizley, Joyce Guy, Christian Lebano, Rose Portillo, Denise Uyehara and Steven Wolfson

365 Days/365 Plays



365 logo

Experience About Productions' 365 PLAYS on the plaza at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre!


Written by Suzan-Lori Parks
Directed by Theresa Chavez, Frier McCollister and Rose Portillo


FRI, March 2 and SAT, March 3 @ 7PM


John Anson Ford Amphitheatre
2580 Chauenga Blvd. East
Hollywood, CA 90068


FREE ADMISSION AND FREE PARKING!

365 Days/365 Plays is the largest theater festival in American history, taking place from November 2006 to November 2007 in 16 cities across the country. For one year beginning in 2002, author Suzan-Lori Parks wrote one short play a day. Center Theatre Group, the largest and most prestigious theater presenter in the western States, is organizing the Los Angeles portion of the festival in partnership with nearly four dozen theater groups and artists throughout the L.A. area.



WEEK 16 (Leap Year week!):
1. NEW YORK TAXI; 2. PROJECT TEMPEST; 3. SHE BIT ME; 4. WHAT WERE YOU WEARING FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH?; 5. ANOTHER PLAY WITHIN THE EPIC PLAY "HOUSE OF JONES"; 6. BURNING; 7. LUCKY DAY; 8. THE PLANK

About...Young Theaterworks ~ Tuesday Jan. 30th.

The way life is, Tuesday Jan. 30th

Stages | Thursday Dec. 7th + 10th!

ABOUT PRODUCTIONS

invites you to

STAGES

Please come to a free performance on

Thursday Dec. 7th, 1pm and Sunday Dec.10th 1pm.

at the

Culver City Senior Center
4095 Overland Ave, Culver City, 90232 - (310) 253-6700


Four Los Angeles professional writer/actors have interviewed six senior citizens, residents of Culver City, about their experiences during World War II –
From these interviews theatrical pieces were developed and will be performed in a public performance.
Stories include three Holocaust survivors – A Japanese American who lived in an Internment camp – A tailgunner for the airforce – and a Rosie the Riveter

Written and performed by:
Laurel Ollstein, Steve Serpas, Doris Baizley, Rose Portillo
Plus music by Robert Anderson

This performance is made possible by a grant from the City of Culver City Art in Public Places Fund with support from Sony Picture Entertainment Platinum sponsorship


Friday, May 5th @ 8pm- L.A. Real

L.A. Real pic

The Arts & Lecture Series
U.C. Santa Cruz,
Rio Theater,
1205 Soquel Avenue,
Santa Cruz, CA.

click here for tickets

Fri, May 5th, 2006
@ 8pm

A contemporary Latina uncovers her family's past cemented over by 250 years of L.A. history. Original theaterwork presented by About Productions; performed by Rose Portillo; written/directed by Theresa Chavez.

Stages

New! Showing our Age blog...


Four Los Angeles professional writer/actors interview senior citizens and develop theatrical pieces to be performed by the writers in a public performance.

The seniors lives that were theatricalized for the December performance in Culver City were:

Edith Goddard

Paul and Shirley Pitti

Y.J. Cai

Ted Wu

Elba Fletes

Written and performed by

Laurel Ollstein, Ivonne Coll , Ken Narasaki, Doris Baizley.

Plus music by Robert Anderson

STAGES: is a performance program produced by

ABOUT PRODUCTIONS

For further information about STAGES

call Laurel Ollstein at 310-558-8119

This performance is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Culver City Art in Public Places Fund with support from Sony Picture Entertainment Platinum Sponsorship