Restoration

OFFICIAL WINNER OF THE HOLLYWOOD ENCORE PRODUCERS’ AWARD 

Elliot used to be a painter, but now he only restores existing work. Estranged from his family, chronically single, and recovering from a traumatizing relationship, he decides he is safer living like the paintings he repairs- behind a thick layer of varnish, distant, untouchable.

But when Lucas, a charismatic, curious stranger, commissions him to restore his most challenging painting yet, Elliot finds himself struggling to open up in a new relationship and to attend his sister Dana’s wedding, who he hasn’t spoken to in years.

This intimate, small cast play explores the challenges of letting people in- to our thoughts, to our art, to our lives.

Presented by Theater Asylum

Shirley Dawn Room – Asylum at Thymele Arts -

5481 Santa Monica Blvd., 2nd floor, Hollywood, CA 90029.

Content warning: Themes of sexual assault

Runtime: 90 minutes

*Parking is limited, please allow adequate time to find parking. No late seating.

Help fund this project here! https://gofund.me/7af4ddae

Written by Nick Exum

Directed by Cybelle Kaehler Stage

Stage managed by Chelsea Garcia-Perez

Assistant stage manager: Cory Smith

Sound designer: Daniel J. Betts

Lighting designer: Abigail Ambach

Asylum Stage manager/Light board operator: Pam Noles

Cast: Elliot: Nick Exum

Lucas: Frank Tirimacco

Jennifer: Stephanie T. Keefer

Dana: Sarajane Bradford

 

NICK EXUM (Playwright/Actor): Nick Exum is a writer and actor who recently graduated with his MFA in acting from UCI. His most recent roles include Trigorin in The Seagull and Howie in Our Town. When he’s not writing or acting he can be found making little comics or at a party trying to explain how to play a complicated board game. 

 

CYBELLE KAEHLER (director/producer): Cybelle is a theatre and film director who strives to tell meaningful stories centered on women, the LGBT community, and other marginalized groups, often focusing on social issues. She graduated from UC Irvine with degrees in drama and film. She has worked as an assistant director and production assistant at New Swan Shakespeare Festival, South Coast Repertory, and Playground-LA. Her latest short film, Tombé, won Best Student Film at the Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood, and Best Screenplay at the One Reeler Short Film Competition. Cybelle is thrilled to be making her full length professional directing debut at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. cybellekaehler.com

 

STEPHANIE T. KEEFER (Jennifer): Native Angelino Stephanie T. Keefer fell in love with acting in 5th grade playing Eeyore in the class play. Keefer studied theater at U. C., Irvine where she had the privilege to study with legendary Polish theatre director Jerzy Grotowski. Some of her favorite theater roles are Hannah in The Night of the Iguana, Rose in The Woolgatherer, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Olivia in Twelfth Night. Keefer is also a filmmaker. Badami Productions broadcast her award-winning short film ONE DANCE nationally on CBS and FOX. Her other short films have also garnered nominations and awards, screening in festivals nationwide. She works in film, television, theater and voice over and has been seen on Netflix, Amazon Prime, CBS, NBC, and FX. To find out more about Stephanie’s work visit imdb.me/stephanietkeefer

 

CHELSEA GARCIA-PEREZ (Stage manager): Chelsea has always had a passion for the arts. Whether it be performing on stage, stage managing, dancing, singing, painting, etc. Chelsea had just received her B.A in Drama at UC Irvine last year and is currently working on completing her associates in Fine Arts and Art History at Saddleback College. She is beyond grateful to have taken a larger role in making this new play come to life and having the opportunity to display some of her own artworks onstage. This is her first time participating in the Hollywood Fringe Festivals and it hopefully won’t be her last!

 

ABIGAIL AMBACH (Lighting Designer): Abigail is excited to be working on her first Fringe show with this amazing cast and crew. She is an aspiring lighting designer from San Clemente, California and graduated from Whittier College with a B.A. in Theater Arts with an emphasis in lighting design. Her work in this show is mainly inspired by the artist Édouard Manet.

 

DANIEL J. BETTS (Sound Designer/Composer): This will be Daniel’s third show with the Hollywood Fringe Festival, having performed as an actor the previous two years with the Midnight Metro Cleanup Crew. Daniel Graduated from UC Irvine with a bachelors in Drama and has since picked up certifications in Arts Management and Recording Technology from UCI and Citrus College, respectively. A long time musician, Daniel is excited to share his compositions and sound effects with Fringe audiences. His previous sound design credits include Silent Sky at UC Irvine, and Red Bike with the Santa Clarita Shakespeare Festival. Restoration has been one of Daniel’s favorite projects to work on and he hopes you enjoy the show.

 

Learn More at gofund.me/7af4ddae