Program Description
Event Details
The upcoming 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 touring production and will be presented at Diversionary Theatre, New Village Arts, and Weingart Performance Annex
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.
In Family, playwright Dea Hurston hilariously unscrambles a mess of family secrets surrounding sexual and gender identity, when a loving matriarch refuses to face reality. Dea is an arts advocate and playwright local to San Diego, 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.