Second Stage Reading Series
Celebration of New Writers
Featuring new works by Les Abromovitz, Stephanie Buckley, Yide Cai, Allie Costa, Susan Lily Jackson, Jonathan Josephson, Carla Navarro & Matthew Salazar-Thompson
San Diego has a diverse and underrepresented pool of talented playwrights. Part of our mission is to produce new works. The Roustabouts Theatre Co. is dedicated to providing experiences and opportunities for artists and diverse audiences, both onstage and off. The evening of writers includes short new pieces with a discussion afterward. Our team brings together local talents in the best light, to introduce you to the next artistic wave.
Submissions for Celebration of New Writers is now closed
Monday, May 27, 2024 7 pm
Scripps Ranch Theatre
9783 Avenue of Nations, San Diego, CA 92131
Featured Works
Sincerely Yours Arnie, He, Him, His
By Les Abromovitz
A generational clash erupts when an old-school employee resists a young boss's push for using gender-neutral pronouns in workplace communications. As the pair hash it out over coffee, the humorous yet thought-provoking exchange explores perspectives on inclusivity, identity, privacy, and whether evolving language signals positive change or unnecessary wokeness. This witty two-hander exposes the growing pains as a traditional curmudgeon tries to keep up with rapidly shifting societal norms.
Wolves Change Rivers
By Allie Costa
At the Mexico-United States border, three wolves from different walks of life cross paths - a grizzled loner, a peacemaker, and a young pup struggling to survive. As their land is consumed, they must decide to go their separate ways or unite against the threat. This powerful new play explores our interconnectedness with nature and the importance of protecting the wilderness.
Bear Cops
By Jonathan Josephson
An unconventional play that challenges norms and explores radical possibilities. When a police chief and a data-driven professor cross paths, intense dialogues collide numbers with human complexities. Brace yourself for a thought-provoking ride that pushes the boundaries of imagination and blurs the line between absurdity and brilliance.
By My Name
By Susan Lily Jackson
In a Starbucks, two employees with unconventional names - Ace and Sacrifice - strike up an unexpected conversation. As they bond over shared experiences of having unique monikers, secrets are revealed about the origins of their names and the deeper stories they hold. This intimate character study humorously and poignantly explores themes of identity, self-acceptance, and human connection through the lens of two kindred spirits working behind the coffee counter.
Sparrows
By Yide Cai
In 1947 China, as the sun of a new communist regime rises, an aging Catholic nun must say goodbye to the orphans she has lovingly raised in her chapel. But the young teacher tasked with taking over their education has very different ideological views. Witness a poignant conversation between two opposing ideologies clashing over the future of one little girl. A thought-provoking look at faith, change, and finding common ground in a divided world.
To Be a Kosher Deli… or Not to Be a Kosher Deli?!
By Matthew Salazar-Thompson
A dark and brooding culinary tragedy unfolds as a vengeful sous chef seeks retribution against his uncle, who poisoned his father with undercooked brisket during Passover to seize control of the family's renowned kosher deli. Amidst the sizzling pots and pans, this son wrestles with the noble question – to be a kosher deli, or not to be? Infused with witty wordplay and a delectable fusion of Shakespearean verse and Jewish culinary delights, this theatrical feast promises a savory exploration of familial betrayal, gastronomic sacrilege, and the pursuit of justice, served with a side of noodle kugel.
Winkie’s War
By Stephanie Buckley
In the midst of World War II, an aviary for carrier pigeons becomes the unlikely setting for a battle over women's rights. A legendary veteran and a celebrated hero find themselves at odds with a newcomer who challenges their beliefs and traditions. With witty dialogue and unexpected humor, this play explores the timeless themes of prejudice, courage, and the fight for equality, all through the lens of these feathered messengers of war. Join us for this thought-provoking and entertaining production that reminds us that even in the darkest of times, progress can take flight.
Orange Tulips
By Carla Navarro
A chance encounter on Valentine's Day outside an old train station in Spain brings together a confident young tour guide and an American architect she's never met. As they engage in banter laced with humor and tension, long-buried secrets are uncovered, forcing them to confront an emotional past filled with love, loss, and unresolved guilt. In this poignant drama, two strangers discover they have more in common than they could have imagined, and must decide if they can move forward together or remain haunted by the ghosts of their shared history. A thoughtful exploration of family, forgiveness, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Meet the Writers
Les Abromovitz
Les Abromovitz has written numerous plays that were performed or read in festivals across the country. Les is a member of the Dramatists Guild. His play, Seniors in Solitary at the Alf, was included in a collection of short coronavirus plays published by Smith & Kraus in 2021. Six of his short comedies were performed or read in 2023. Les has been the author, co-author, and ghostwriter of several business books published by John Wiley & Sons, McGraw-Hill, Dearborn Trade, ALM Media, and other publishers. And last but certainly not least, he is an attorney.
Allie Costa
Allie Costa is an actor, writer, director, and singer working in film, TV, theatre, and voiceover. Her acting credits include
Spring Awakening, 90210, You Me & Her, Future Shock, Alien vs. Musical,
and Slayers: A Buffyverse Story. She's also appeared in commercials and podcasts, narrated audiobooks and documentaries, and lent her voice to video games and animated projects. Her work has been produced internationally, including the critically acclaimed Two Girls, Music of the Mind, Boxes Are Magic, and Can You Keep a Secret? Occasionally, she sleeps.
alliecosta.com
imdb.me/alliecosta
Jonathan Josephson
Forty-five of Jonathan's plays have been produced around the world including Actors Theatre of Louisville, Milwaukee Rep, Chance Theater, the Samuel French OOB Festival (Festival Winner), and Alternative Theatre Company (Off-Broadway). He is the Artistic Director of Unbound Productions and a creator of Wicked Lit, History Lit, and Mystery Lit. Jonathan is a five-time Finalist for the Heideman Award, and also a Finalist for the O'Neill National Playwrights Conference and the City Theatre National Short Play Award. Twenty-six of his plays are published by Concord Theatricals, Stage Rights, Playscripts, and other publishers. B.A. Playwriting, UCSD. DG, ALAP.
jonathanjosephson.com
Susan Lily Jackson
Jackson received the Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award for Best Original Play. Semi-finalist for the National Playwrights Conference-Eugene O’Neill Center. Staged-read/produced -- New York City, Bay Area, Eugene O’Neill Foundation, William Inge Festival-Sydney, London, Red Curtain International Theatre. DEATH BE NOT LOUD! - Best of Capital Fringe - Washington Post positive review. Published: Smith and Kraus, (2017-2023) (We/Us--Gender Neutral Monologues) Applause. Finalist: Creede Repertory Theatre; Henley Rose Competition for Female Playwrights; Fusion Theatre Company; Centre Stage; 3Girls Theatre Co. (SF). Participant: Mid-America Theatre Conference, Last Frontier Theatre Conference, Powerstories: Voices of Women Festival; Sparks Creative Works, Believability; Shiny Unicorns Productions. She worked with Lauren Yee and Christopher Chen with SF Young Playwrights Festival.
Yide Cai
From Shenzhen, China, Yide Cai is a graduate of Emory University with a BA in Playwriting & German Studies. He is a playwright, poet, and theater maker. His plays
The Pythagoreans
had a staged-reading production at Lenaia Playwriting Festival and New South Young Playwrights Festival;
The Rice Eaters had a staged reading at Emory University;
Men Write Men Write Men Right, his honor thesis, which received high honor, had a staged reading production at Emory University and a workshop with WTP TableSeries. Meanwhile, he has been part of productions as an actor, director, and dramaturg, while working in the literary, development, and education departments of theater administration worldwide, such as Seattle, Prague, and Weimar. Among them, he is most proud of working with Yun Theatre in Seattle, for their “In Between” a collection of multilingual plays on immigration. He is working on the Chinese production of Lauren Gunderson's The Book Of Will
he translated.
Matthew Salazar-Thompson
Matthew Salazar-Thompson has been commissioned by The Roustabouts Theatre Company (‘hoods), North Coast Repertory Theatre (Ted Williams: A Tip of the Cap, Mistletoe, Music & Mayhem!), Compass Theatre (9066, The 146 Point Flame), New Fortune Theatre (Cellar Door, Switching Tracks), Coronado Playhouse (If the Shoe Fits, A Roman Holiday), The Road Theatre (Who's on Alpha?), The Roustabouts Theatre (Hoods), and Point Loma Playhouse (The Complete History of Theatre (abridged), A Christmas Carol: The Classic Radio Drama). His play,
Who's Afraid of Me, Myself and Edward Albee? was conceived of and mentored by Edward Albee himself over the course of several years and later turned into a shot film by Aquanaught Productions. In 2016 Mr. Thompson collaborated with La Mama Experimental Theatre Group in Umbria, Italy with resident master playwright Mac Wellman in the development of his comedy
The Complete History of Theatre (abridged) and the revision of
The 146 Point
Flame which was mentioned in Southern Theatre Magazine
as one of the top ten plays to produce on the social topic of immigration. He also worked with Mr. Wellman in the development of
Switching Tracks which has had several professional staged readings and was a top five finalist for the Detroit New Works Festival in 2017 the Garry Marshall Theatre New Works Festival 2018 and North Coast Repertory Theatre’s Playwriting Showcase. His plays have been published through Dramatic Publishing and Heuer Publishing.
Stephanie Buckley
Leigh is a singer, actor, and illustrator. She has performed in theaters across the US including La Jolla Playhouse, Soho Rep, North Coast Rep, Bronx Opera, and Skylight Music Theater. At The Roustabouts she has been seen as Beth in the COVID production of
Book of Leaves as Hermia in the staged reading of
Dead Man's Cell Phone and as Luca in the staged reading of
Laughter on the 29th Floor. Most recently she was seen in
To Red Tendons at La Jolla Playhouse and in
As You Like It
with New Fortune Theatre company. During quarantine she kept herself busy by producing a series of cooking-show-cabarets from her apartment called
Leigh Sings Songs and Makes Waffles. You can watch them all and see more of her work at
leighellenakin.com
Carla Navarro
Carla is ecstatic to have her short play Orange Tulips read for this year’s Celebration of New Writers by
The Roustabouts Theatre Company. Carla is a Chilean-American actress and playwright who is driven by
telling impactful stories and thrives on art that encompasses intricate human connections and raw
emotions while exploring a variety of topics. She honed in on her writing during the pandemic with several
workshops with Poolhouse Project and La Jolla Playhouse. She has seen her work showcased, read, and
performed with La Jolla Playhouse, Circle Circle Dot Dot, (virtual readings), The Roustabouts Theatre
Company (staged reading), and performed with OnStage Playhouse’s Monumental History and this year
with Riot Theatrical Productions Cats Can’t Eat Yarn
and Other Plays. To learn more about Carla, visit
carla-navarro.com