Writers, Actors, Comedians, and More to Perform at Placer Rep March Collaboration LAB

Between pre-booked guests and the open stage, Placer Rep's Collaboration LAB will serve up a variety of artistic, creative, and cultural offerings at its FREE show/event the fourth Sunday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Cool River Pizza and Taphouse on the Rocklin/Roseville border. The March 24th LAB is no exception with writers, actors, comedians and more slated to share their new works and developing talents to the March theme of “Kindling: How do you feed your creative fire?”

Three of the confirmed acts so far include Young Adult novelist Michael Selvester, who joins with a chapter from his latest work, actor Maureen Roman will perform and Comedian Funny Robert will try out some new jokes. Audiences are encouraged to participate in post-performance Q&As and are invited to introduce themselves and share their work or talent on the open stage. Creatives from all artistic and cultural disciplines, and general audience members, are welcome to this FREE event and a free slice of pizza on Placer Rep.

After the performances and presentations, Collaboration LAB holds a drawing for a door prize. THIS MONTH, the giftbag donations are from STARBUCKS on Sunset & West Oak in Rocklin and the amazing LONE BUFFALO VINEYARDS with their sumptuous varietal wines and valued at over $50. The monthly drawing is an incentive to remind presenters and attendees to register for the LAB as seating is limited. Audience members must reserve their FREE seats on Eventbrite.com and be present during the drawing to be eligible to win.

Collaboration LAB is located on the Roseville/Rocklin border at Cool River Taphouse, which offers wine, draft microbrew beers, soft drinks, and the full menu of items available for purchase. Have dinner at Cool River, see a free show and maybe win a prize! Visit Placer Repertory Theater on Eventbrite.com to reserve your seats for this free live event (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/collaboration-lab-tickets-806309151377).  

Placer Repertory Theater (www.PlacerRep.org) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to offer educational and quality-of-life enriching professional performing arts and cultural programs relevant to the people of Placer County and surrounding areas, while supporting local organizations and acting as an economic engine for the region. Follow Placer Repertory Theater on Facebook (PlacerRep), Twitter and Instagram: @PlacerRep and subscribe to their YouTube Channel (Placer Repertory Theater).

COLLABORATION LAB TEAM BIOS

MATT HEYER – LAB Host, LAB Booker

Graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he received his BFA in Theatre, Matthew won the Irene Ryan award for his ensemble work in 2018 and for his performance as Elliot in Completeness in 2019.His favorite mainstage productions include Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire, Charles in As You Like It, Thomas Putnam in The Crucible, and Shakespeare in The Bard on Broadway. Having studied IPA, Matt performs duties as a Dialect Coach for Placer Repertory Theater productions. As an actor, for Placer Rep in 2021, Matthew has played the characters George and Milo in From the Mind of Scott Charles, and the title role in “An Evening with Sherlock Holmes” featuring a new play based on The Sign of the Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In 2022, Matt was part of the ensemble cast for Haunting History, and the ASM and Understudy for two roles in the mainstage world premiere of Ghosts of Placer County. In 2023, Matt starred in the titular role of Uncle Vanya, produced by Placer Rep.

Teresa Stirling Forsyth – Lab Producer, Co-Host

With an MFA in Dramatic Arts and an MS in Business Management & Leadership, this former Silicon Valley high-tech VP and critically acclaimed professional director/playwright also plays the role of Producing Artistic Director for Placer Repertory Theater.  Previously, the artistic director for two San Francisco theater companies, and founder/board president of an economic & workforce development nonprofit organization for Santa Cruz County, her performing arts background includes international tours as an actor/singer/dancer and produced and published director/playwright for national and international touring productions with renowned performing artists, such as Brenda Wong Aoki, and companies like the Dell'Arte Players. She has instructed and directed at numerous educational institutions, including UC Davis, University of San Francisco and University of Minnesota. Projects on which Forsyth worked performed at venues such as the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian, Dallas Theatre Center, San Diego Repertory Theater and famous venues in Europe, Asia and South America, and received Dramalogue Awards, Critics Circle Awards, and an Indy Award: Best Spoken Word Album. While with Placer Rep, her projects have won Broadway World Awards, the Gloria Burt Fellowship and Gold Country Media awards. Her prior works have won numerous grants from the NEA, CAC and corporations. She is a member of the professional organizations: The Dramatists Guild, SDC Stage Directors & Choreographers, and The Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE).

FUNNY ROBERT – Comedian, Technical Director

A graduate of the San Francisco Comedy College, Robert is a regionally known comedian who has performed throughout California, as well as in Reno, Las Vegas, and Austin, Texas. As an Emcee / comedian, he has hosted professional comedy shows, as well as open mic nights for professional clubs, and has been seen briefly on TV in programs like Last Comic Standing. Among his favorite performances are his evening at The Improv in San Jose and performing as a featured comedian at Rooster T. Feathers in Sunnyvale. He draws his comedy from his family, work and the tragicomedy that is human existence.

MAUREEN ROMAN – Actor

With a degree in Theatre Arts, and a rich background in dance training, Maureen has taught performing arts for nearly 20 years in Placer County. Besides her professional film/TV/voiceover credits, Maureen performs in area theaters, like Chautauqua Theater, Freefall Stage, Sierra College productions and Placer Community Theater. Some of her favorite prior roles include: Sister Mary Hubert in Nunsense, Dotty in Noises Off, and Truvy in Steel Magnolias. This is Maureen's first professional engagement with Placer Repertory Theater, performing two opposing character archetypes: Lisetta, the flirtatious, morally ambiguous  woman and Emmeline, the sainted mother-figure. 

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