THE BOYS NEXT DOOR Director Jeremy Aldridge and Disabled Actor August McAdoo to Appear on AUTISM LIVE

CRE Outreach is pleased to present THE BOYS NEXT DOOR by Tom Griffin, a comedy-drama centering on a caring social worker who supervises four disabled men living together in an apartment while learning to face their daily challenges together. Mingled with scenes from the daily lives of these four, where "little things" sometimes become momentous (and often very funny), are moments of great poignancy when, with touching effectiveness, we are reminded that the handicapped, like the rest of us, want only to love and laugh and find some meaning and purpose in the brief time that they are allotted on this earth. As such, THE BOYS NEXT DOOR explores friendship, love and loss in ways universal to all of us.

Directed by Jeremy Aldridge, award-winning director from Sacred Fools Theatre, and produced by Bryan C. Caldwell, Co-Founder and Executive Director of CRE Outreach as an Equity Approved Showcase with rights secured through Dramatists Play Service, THE BOYS NEXT DOOR gives CRE Outreach the opportunity to produce a published work and cast it from within three of its Theatre Arts as Therapy programs, including Rex & Friends musician August McAdoo as one of the four disabled characters, Norman Bulansky, who is developmentally disabled. It is August's experience of living on the Autism spectrum that fills his character's story with physical and emotional authenticity.

Please tune in to Shannon Penrod's interview on Autism-Live.com with THE BOYS NEXT DOOR director Jeremy Aldridge and featured actor August McAdoo on Thursdays October 4 and 18 at 11:45 AM Pacific Time on both dates, at which time they will be talking about their involvement with those on the Autism spectrum as well as their participation in the CRE Outreach production opening Friday, October 12 through Saturday, November 10, 2018 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 3:00pm (except dark 10/21) at The Blue Door, 9617 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232.

Shannon Penrod became a proud CARD Mom in 2006 after her son was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2 ½. Today, her son is a High School student, talking about and getting excited for college! Thank you CARD! Shannon now devotes her time to helping parents to gain access to the life changing therapies her son received. Shannon hosts Autism Live, an interactive web program providing hope, information and inspiration to the Autism Community all over the world. In 2015, Shannon helped to form the CARD PTA, in this case the PTA stands for Parents that are Truly Amazing. The CARD PTA helps to support parents and CARD offices to ensure that all our children get the highest quality of care. In 2018 Shannon became the Director of CARD Family Relations and Orientations. As such, Shannon strives to help parents get the most out of their CARD experience.

About Autism Live: Hosted by Shannon Penrod, Autism Live is an interactive web show providing support, resources, information, facts, entertainment and inspiration to parents, teachers and practitioners working with children on the Autism Spectrum. Viewers are encouraged to participate by asking questions of experts, offering suggestions for topics to be discussed and sharing progress their children have made on The Autism Spectrum. The program is LIVE on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 12pm PST at Autism-Live.com

Jeremy Aldridge (Director, THE BOYS NEXT DOOR) has been on the CRE Outreach Board for over five years and runs a Community Center for the City of Los Angeles which includes children with special needs. He first met Shannon Penrod at SUNY Oswego in 1994 when she was one of his college theater professors. Their involvement continued when Shannon, as the Artistic Director of Santa Clarita Rep, hired Jeremy to direct THE BOYS NEXT DOOR over ten years ago. And in the Summer of 2017, Shannon came in with a rep from the Center for Autism to assist Jeremy and his staff to more effectively work with children on the spectrum. https://www.centerforautism.com/ Jeremy most recently directed Past Time at Sacred Fools Theater in Hollywood. Other favorites include the Award Winning Absolutely Filthy at Sacred Fools, South Coast Rep and The Hollywood and New York Fringe Festivals, LA Weekly/Ovation Awards 2008 Musical of the Year Louis and Keely: Live at the Sahara (LADCC and Garland awards for Best Direction) and Savin' Up for Saturday Night. He also co-wrote and directed 2011 LA Weekly Musical of the Year Hoboken To Hollywood at the Edgemar (Best Direction of a Musical - LA Weekly). As a producer, Jeremy was proud to lead Sacred Fools' production of Crumble, directed by Jeremy Aluma. More recently Jeremy has directed Toddler Bangs, Mark Twain Answers All Your Questions and assistant directed The Poe Show, all Award- winning Premieres at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. www. jaldridgedirector.com

August McAdoo (Norman Bulansky in THE BOYS NEXT DOOR) - As a member of Rex & Friends, August appeared in CRE Outreach's Autism Sings with Rex & Friends concert and as an accompanist for Lost in the Light, a world premiere play presented by CRE Outreach. He was diagnosed on the autism spectrum as a child and has developed his skills as a singer and musician to assist his communications skills. August is proud and excited to be portraying Norman Bulansky in the CRE Outreach production of THE BOYS NEXT DOOR, by Tom Griffin, a comedy-drama centering on a caring social worker who supervises four disabled men living together in an apartment while learning to face their daily challenges together. Norman, the real romantic of the group who is developmentally disabled and works part-time at the local doughnut shop where he is trusted with a set of keys, which don't unlock anything in particular but allow him to believe that his disability does not get in the way of holding down a regular job - or pursuing a girlfriend.

About THE BOYS NEXT DOOR

What: CRE Outreach is pleased to present THE BOYS NEXT DOOR by Tom Griffin, a comedy-drama centering on a caring social worker who supervises four disabled men living together in an apartment while learning to face their daily challenges together. Mingled with scenes from the daily lives of these four, where "little things" sometimes become momentous (and often very funny), are moments of great poignancy when, with touching effectiveness, we are reminded that the handicapped, like the rest of us, want only to love and laugh and find some meaning and purpose in the brief time that they, like their more fortunate brothers, are allotted on this earth. As such, THE BOYS NEXT DOOR explores love and loss in ways universal to all of us.

Who: Directed by Jeremy Aldridge, award-winning director from Sacred Fools Theatre, and produced by Bryan C. Caldwell, Co-Founder and Executive Director of CRE Outreach as an Equity Approved Showcase with rights secured through Dramatists Play Service, THE BOYS NEXT DOOR gives CRE Outreach the opportunity to produce a published work and cast it from within three of its Theatre Arts as Therapy programs, including Veterans Empowerment Theatre members Mason Vokes as Jack, with Judy Welsh in ensemble roles; Theatre by the Blind members Kenny Lee as Lucien P. Smith, Lee Pugsley as Arnold Wiggens, CoCo Head as Barry Klemper, Staci Caillier as Sheila, with Leela Kazerouni in ensemble roles; and Rex & Friends musician August McAdoo as Norman Bulansky. Doug Jewell, a veteran character actor and proud member of Actors' Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA, has joined the cast as Mr. Klemper.

Learn more about the cast and director by watching THE BOYS NEXT DOOR trailer on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7Lc_VOue8SY

Where: The Blue Door, 9617 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232

When: Friday, October 12 through Saturday, November 10, 2018 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 3:00pm (except dark 10/21).

How: Single tickets are priced at $15. Tickets and information online: https://creoutreach.org

About CRE Outreach

CRE Outreach is a non-profit performing arts organization dedicated to empowering underserved youth, people with disabilities, and military veterans in greater Los Angeles. CRE stands for Create, Reflect, Empower - words that encompass the process, focus, and targeted outcomes of our programs. Since 2007, CRE Outreach has utilized theatre, the performing arts, and educational programs as a means to enhance self-esteem, encourage self-expression, and empower individuals to overcome the challenges in their lives. Read more about CRE Outreach online: https://creoutreach.org.

About Rex & Friends

Named in honor of Rex Lewis-Clack, who was born blind and then diagnosed with autism as a toddler, Rex & Friends is a program that provides support and training in musical abilities, and performance opportunities for individuals in Southern California who are blind or autistic. Both of these disabilities tend to isolate, and the program is geared to help bridge this isolation. We bring these musicians together and provide ongoing professional support and guidance, encouraging participants develop their musical repertoire in an environment that is sure to grow friendships, self-esteem, and skill while rehearsing and ultimately performing in front of live audiences.

About The Blue Door

One of the foremost goals of CRE Outreach has been the creation of their own studio and performance space. Thanks to many generous private donors and a highly successful Kickstarter campaign in 2017, that goal has been achieved with the complete renovation of a two-story building in Culver City, now known as THE BLUE DOOR. With workshop, rehearsal, and 50-seat performance space, the updated facility at 9617 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232 welcomes all to experience how the performing arts can enhance self-esteem, encourage self-expression, and empower individuals to overcome the challenges in their lives.

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