The curtain rises once again as Ohlone College proudly presents the 11th Annual Playwrights Festival, a high-energy showcase of original 10-minute plays and musicals by nationally recognized and up-and-coming playwrights and composers from across the country. Performances will be held on May 8 and 9 at 7pm at the Smith Center on the Fremont campus.
Produced by the Student Repertory Theatre Company, this unique festival is a signature event of Ohlone’s award-winning Department of Theatre & Dance, and highlights bold new works that reflect the themes, values and curiosities of today’s students and young audiences.
The Playwrights Festival continues its mission to revitalize interest in live theatre by engaging audiences with original short-form productions tailored to resonate with college-aged performers and theatergoers. Each year, participating playwrights are provided with interviews and videos featuring student actors and are then tasked with crafting pieces that respond to relevant student-chosen themes such as identity, wonder, friendship, courage and self-discovery.
“What makes this festival so powerful is the authenticity it demands,” said Michael Navarra, Ohlone College faculty member and Producing Director of the festival. “These playwrights aren’t writing into a void—they’re writing for our students, our community and our time. That connection brings an undeniable energy to every performance and gives our students ownership in the creation of something meaningful.”
The festival features an exciting lineup of ten plays and musicals, each helmed by student directors and performed by Ohlone College’s passionate and talented theatre students:
JC Elementary’s (First Ever) Christmas Spectacular by Max Tachis; Directed by Charles Monk
Super Squishy by Eugenie Chan; Directed by Angel Castro
The Proposal by Jeffrey Lo, Directed by Javier Jovel
Ill Met by Cave Light by Max Tachis; Directed by Killian Wylde Wheaton
Change. by Chava Suarez (Book, Music and Lyrics); Directed by Melanie Muñoz
Balloon by Mercedes Segesvary; Directed by Gabriel Lew
Black Skull by Jacob Marx Rice, Directed by Diego Rozo
Found and Lost by Gabriel Lew; Directed by Antonio Isael Ledesma
Sleepovers & Séances by Paige Hutchison; Directed by Ivann Gelico
Breaking the Convention by David Kautz (Book, Music and Lyrics); Directed by Cassidy Chase
These playwrights and composers have impressive credentials, with work produced at regional and Off-Broadway theatres including Berkeley Repertory Theatre, TheatreWorks, La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe and San Francisco Playhouse.
This year’s performances promise an eclectic mix of humor, heart and thought-provoking storytelling. With a history of sold-out shows, the festival continues to be a beloved community tradition and an artistic launchpad for students and professionals alike.
Ohlone Playwrights Festival
Thursday, May 8 – Friday, May 9
7pm
Smith Center
Ohlone College
43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont
ASL Interpreted Performance on May 8
$14 General Admission; tickets available at the door
