La Jolla Playhouse Presents New Resident Theatre Program

La Jolla Playhouse is proud to announce the launch of a new initiative, the Resident Theatre Program and welcome Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company as its very first Resident Theatre Company. The newly appointed company will be in residency at La Jolla Playhouse, located on the campus of UC San Diego, from August 18 through September 21, 2008 and May 12 through June 14, 2009.

La Jolla Playhouse designed the Resident Theatre Program to address the lack of available, affordable performance spaces for the many vibrant theatre companies in the San Diego area. Ibe in residence: August 18th - Sept. 21st 2008 & May 12 - June 14th, 2009. August 18th - Sept. 21st 2008 & May 12 - June 14th, 2009. be in residence: August 18th - Sept. 21st 2008 & May 12 - June 14tht was designed to provide a temporary home to theatre companies without a permanent venue.

"I have been so impressed," says Artistic Director Christopher Ashley, "by the dynamic adventurous and diverse theatre community in San Diego, many of which are without a permanent home base. We are fortunate at the Playhouse to have really fantastic facilities with several theatre spaces. We are very pleased to give one San Diego Theatre company each year the opportunity to use one of our spaces rent free."

After receiving applications from several theatre companies, the Playhouse has chosen Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company as the inaugural Resident Theatre Company. Mo'olelo will be in residence in the 99-seat Studio Theatre at the Playhouse.

"We received some terrific, thoughtful and exciting applications," states Associate Producer Dana Harrel, "making the selection process extremely difficult."

Mo'olelo will bring Night Sky written by Susan Yankowitz and produced in partnership with The San Diego Brain Injury Foundation to La Jolla Playhouse this fall. Mo'olelo is the Hawaiian word for "story" and reflects a vision to tell powerful stories as diverse as the Islands of Hawaii, that inspire participation, generate dialogue and build bridges across societal divides.

"Mo'olelo's strong artistic mission, leadership role in the community and administrative capability make them a perfect choice," says Christopher Ashley.

The mission of Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company is to create new theatrical works based on research within various communities, produce lesser-known works by master and contemporary playwrights, and educate in all areas of theater.

"This is a golden opportunity," says Seema Sueko, Mo'olelo's Artistic Director, "We are thrilled that La Jolla Playhouse has opened its doors to us and embraced the local community. We are looking forward to the increased visibility and ability to strengthen our partnerships."

The Resident Theatre Program is not specifically restricted to theatre, and though all applicants were theatre companies, in the future other performing arts could be taken into consideration. Each year will there will be a newly appointed Resident Theatre Company. The selection criterion followed guidelines based on: Artistic Vision, Administration, Trajectory and Practicality.

In addition to the performance space, the Playhouse will provide lighting and sound support, and be available to provide marketing and development advice. No artistic direction is provided by the Playhouse, nor direct funding for projects.

Students at the University of California, San Diego also work closely with the La Jolla Playhouse. Since its inception, the Playhouse and UC San Diego have collaborated, creating an integrated environment for the exciting and nationally visible theatre produced by the Playhouse and the nationally respected theatre training program offered by the Department of Theatre and Dance.                           

"Our connection with the La Jolla Playhouse gives our students direct experience with one of the leading theatre companies in the country. It's a partnership that we value very, very much.  The chance for other theatre companies to find a temporary 'home' there is a wonderful opportunity," said Charlie Oates, chairman of the Department of Theatre and Dance at UC San Diego.

Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse is a nationally acclaimed independent not-for-profit organization, known for its tradition of creating the most exciting and adventurous theatre in Southern California. More than 30 Playhouse productions have moved to Broadway, including The Farnsworth Invention, Big River, The Who's Tommy, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, A Walk in the Woods, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Dracula, Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays, the Pulitzer Prize-winning I Am My Own Wife, and the currently running Jersey Boys and Cry-Baby. La Jolla Playhouse is made up of three primary performance spaces on the UC San Diego campus: the Mandell Weiss Theatre, the Mandell Weiss Forum, and the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center for La Jolla Playhouse, a state-of-the-art theatre complex which features the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre.

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