true stories

Tonya Meek’s bittersweet comedy, “Flying Standby”, reveals how the determination to escape her alcoholic mother carried her through a turbulent ride of addiction, lost love, and a final desperate flight toward reconciliation. Please extinguish all smoking materials and prepare for take off.

"A bishop. A priest. A woman. A boy." Snatched from today's headlines, "Altarcations" examines lust, absolution, accepting apologies, and whether any place is safe. "Altarcations" is a project of the Pasadena Arts Council's EMERGE Fiscal Sponsorship Program.

Original bluesy pop songs connect the true story of how a boy rebuilds himself from devastating loss by collecting souvenirs and stories of his celluloid heroes, while visiting L.A., in 1977. How? By walking to their actual houses, knocking on their doors, and asking them in person, of course.

"Why is it that the guys you like, never seem to like you back?" If you ever have asked yourself this- and let's be honest you're going to a theater festival, so you have- come, sit back, and get ready to laugh at someone else's crushes, heartbreaks and seriously awkward photos.

This snarky and heartfelt comedy tells the story of a naïve college girl who goes on a missions trip to Africa to save the world one African at a time, only to discover her faith is no match for the reality of poverty, HIV/AIDS, and myriad crises of the post-apartheid era.

"Round Rock" is the Texas legend of the Sam Bass Gang, a group of notorious outlaws in the late 1800's best known for committing one of the largest train robberies in U.S. history. A story about love and friendship, this Western epic from Aaron Kozak blends rustic charm with a darkly comic style.

Michael's Daughter is Ciera Payton's one-woman show that highlights her unique papertrail relationship with her incarcerated father. Ciera Payton is an actress and writer from New Orleans, Louisiana. www.CieraPayton.com www.MicahelsDaughter.org

Mental illness was never so much fun as in MIXED PERSONALITY DISORDERS, a world premiere solo show by David Michael Taylor. Born into a family of maniacs, raised by the TV, and unprepared for life in the real world, his tale of trauma and triumph makes this the feel-good feel-bad play of the year.

An auto-biographical one man show, about an anxious, avocado eating, Christmas carol singing, pill popping, sexually repressed twenty-something who farted. Written by Ehrin Marlow. Directed by Bjorn Johnson

No Boundarys is about life, death and camping. Mostly life, some death, and a lot of camping. After a long day canoeing in the Boundary Waters, there's nothing better than sitting by a fire under the stars, drinking scotch and telling stories of bears and loons, gamblers, drinkers, and dreamers.

Kim Coles chronicles the ebb & flow of her showbiz rise with Hollywood-insider stories, multi-media features & interpretive dance! With her signature sass & irrepressible, goofy charm, Kim presents a side-splitting show that will make you laugh and inspire you to find your special gifts.

Into the Torrent Sea, The Lost Journal of Grace O'Malley, The Pirate Queen of Connaught is the true story of Grace O'Malley, a female Irish pirate from the 1500's on her journey to meet with her enemy, Queen Elizabeth.

This one-man comedy tells the autobiographical story of Majd Murad as he comes to terms with his homosexuality and finds the courage to come out to his Catholic Iraqi family, despite the fear of being killed for his "choice." Voted Best of the Hollywood Fringe 2011.

How much would you sacrifice to pursue a dream? Intern trainees at the busiest television casting office in Los Angeles are about to find out, as they are led on a wild and unforgettable training day by a hotshot casting director, a street tough from Brooklyn, and a RADA-trained Brit.

Virginia City is a new musical about finding your voice. A young drifter named Sam Clemens lands a job as a reporter in an old west mining town. Inspired by a visit from scandalous showgirl Adah Isaacs Menken, Sam finds his voice and becomes Mark Twain.