Fountain Theatre to Host Free 'Rapid Development Series' This Winter

The Fountain Theatre's 3rd annual 'Rapid Development Series' for young writers! Get a first look at the work of young, up-and-coming playwrights with this free, competition-style reading series designed to showcase the work of previously unproduced, Los Angeles-based playwrights under the age of 30.

Round One takes place over the course of two evenings, Thursday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 2 at 8 p.m. Each evening will feature one scene from two different plays, with the playwrights choosing the scenes they feel best represent their work. At the end of each night, the audience votes.

The two winning playwrights get to show off a little more in Round Two, on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m.

The single surviving play wins two performances of a staged reading on the Fountain Theatre stage: Thursday, March 2 and Friday, March 3, both at 8 p.m.

Round One, GROUP A:
• Thursday, Jan. 26 at 8.p.m.:

Before and After by Nicholas Pilapil - North Hills High is the swaggest high school in town. Hot babes and beefy hunks put the cast of 90210 to shame as they lie, cheat and straight up cold-cock their way up the social pecking order. But when a mysterious new girl joins the fray, everything gets turned upside-down. Strap into your racing package-equipped Lexus and white knuckle through an outrageous comedy/drama about friendship, loyalty, betrayal and vengeance. Being a teen is hard these days.
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Ambitious Card by Hannah C. Langley - Magic, mystery, megalomania and more: Ambitious Card rises to the top of the deck with a first-class thriller, pulling back the curtain and revealing the secrets of the hard-knock life of an aspiring magician. Follow the gripping story of Talia Matos as she claws her way out of her assistant mini dress and into the big purple hat at center stage. A brilliant performer and illusionist savant, Talia fights for her friends, her dreams and her very life. To break out of the box she's going to need more than just rabbits and wands, and maybe there's more to magic than just smoke and mirrors. Pay very close attention - ah - is this your card?

Round One, GROUP B:
• Thursday, Feb. 2 at 8.p.m.:

Time Out by Carla Frankenbach - When the bad girl of boarding school goes one step too far and finds herself on the receiving end of an unexpected academic hiatus, she finds the only natural solution: head out west on a journey of self discovery. >From behind the viewfinder of her trusty camera, fledgling filmmaker Ellie Larson navigates the whitewaters of a dysfunctional family, two-faced show business sharks, and her own insecurities. Join her on a rite of passage for the 21st century.
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Neighbors by Bernardo Cubria - Experience an intimate Culture Clash as Joe and José forge an unforgettable bond, only to have everything they worked for ripped apart by greed, prejudice and the entire social order. Two proud and vigorous men bring the entire history of snide remarks and sideways glances to a roiling boil as they try against all odds to lift each other up. An unbelievable roller coaster of emotions that will leave you gazing out over the infinite horizon of Los Angeles screaming for virtuous men and women to step up and avenge those who have fallen under our culture's cruel hammer.

Round Two
• Thursday, Feb. 16 at 8.p.m.:
Come back to see a little more from each of the two Round One winners - and to determine which one wins a staged reading on the Fountain Stage.

Staged Reading of the winning play
• Thursday, March 2 at 8.p.m.
• Friday, March 3 at 8 p.m.

It all takes place at The Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., Los Angeles CA 90029 (Fountain at Normandie). Call (323) 663-1525 or visit www.FountainTheatre.com for more information. Free attendance and free parking!

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