CSULB Theatre Arts to Host Reading of MUTUAL CONSENT, 9/3

As part of its Affinity Series initiative, the CSULB Theatre Arts department has announced a reading of Mutual Consent, written by Nancy Bell and Peter Grandbois. The public reading, which will be presented on September 3rd at 7 pm in the Theatre Arts building on the CSULB campus, is an opportunity to hear the play that will be fully produced next Spring by California Repertory Company, from February 12th through the 21st in the CSULB Studio Theatre. The new play Mutual Consent, a vignette-style drama, examines how multiple couples navigate love, marriage, commitment, and the pressures of real life in this study of modern-day relationships. Mutual Consent is an intriguing blend of absurdity and lyricism that explores the beauties and discontents of love in middle age.

The reading will feature Theatre Arts graduate students Mark Gomes, Lea Floden, and David Weber, who will reprise their roles from the reading for the Spring production, alongside faculty member and community favorite Sarah Underwood. Playwright Nancy Bell, and the production's director, Anne D'Zmura, will be present for the reading, and will engage the audience in a post-reading moderated talkback. This talkback will offer the audience a chance to gain insight into the playwright's and director's intentions, provide feedback, and get a taste for what will become an exciting and fully-executed production. This event gives participants the unique opportunity to experience the play at both the beginning and end of its production process, and to gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which scripts can change and grow during development.

The 2015-2016 Affinity Series season will continue with a fully-produced three-night engagement of The Voice Bank, a new one-woman show written and performed by Andrea Caban, directed by Amanda McRaven. The Voice Bank tells the true story of one woman who defies her ALS diagnosis to fight for the privilege to keep speaking. Caban plays both herself and Terry, a woman with an indomitable spirit and a passion for performance, as they manage and overcome Terry's progressing symptoms. The Voice Bank runs October 9th through the 11th in the CSULB Players Theatre. Additional panels, events, and community-focused activities will round out the Affinity Series in Spring 2016.

With the Affinity Series, CSULB has committed to presenting a series of performances, presentations, and panel events celebrating engagement on diverse, timely, and important social issues with our local and global communities. All Affinity Series events are free of charge, although seating is limited and should be reserved prior to each event. The Mutual Consent reading begins at 7pm on September 3rd and is located in Room 241 in the Theatre Arts building on the CSULB South Campus, accessible via East Campus Drive. Convenient paid parking is located outside the Theatre Arts building in Lot 7. For information regarding reserving seats, please contact the box office at (562) 985-5526 or visit calrep.org. For all other information, please call (562) 985-4500.