Circle Circle dot dot Presents DERBYWISE, Now thru 4/20

Circle Circle dot dot will present DerbyWise, written by Katherine Harroff, at The 10th Avenue Theatre, directed by Katherine Harroff & Shaun Tuazon, beginning tonight, April 6th 2013 and running April 7th-April 20th, 2013.

The all-alpha-female world of the San Diego Derby Darlings can seem like an alternate universe filled with new rules, new names, new spouses, and new identities. Circle Circle dot dot's latest original production "DerbyWise" is a journey through the eyes of a budding Roller Derby star Erika "Jezebel" Simms, who takes on this new world and all of the complications that this endeavor entails. Throughout her history as a Darling, Jezebel is faced with much turmoil from her teammates- but it's what's going on within the athlete that sets this story in motion, and asks audiences the question: is it the woman that makes the Derby, or the Derby that makes the woman?

CCdd Artistic Director Katherine Harroff is thrilled to take on "DerbyWise" as a playwright & director after interviewing members of the San Diego Derby Dolls for inspiration.

"I am thrilled that this all-female cast is able to explore a truly character-driven story that gives voice to this powerful, feminine, and in many cases unknown sub-culture. 'DerbyWise' is not a piece about girly-girls. It's a play about strong women with strong voices finding their place in an aggressive and addictive sport. These girls are worth fearing and idolizing all at once." - Katherine Harroff.

Note: Adult language is used in this production.

Katherine Harroff (Playwright, Director, Artistic Director of CCdd) Katherine came to San Diego after obtaining her MFA from Arizona State University in Performance (with an emphasis in Theatre Education, Playwriting, Directing, and Acting). She has completed extensive training with the Siti Company in Saratoga, NY. She has written over 20 produced Theatre and Film projects that have been staged in Arizona and California. She is the founding Artistic Director and Head Playwright for the San Diego Community-Based Theatre Company Circle Circle dot dot for whom she has written and produced The Break-Up/Break-Down, Ragnarok, and The Deconstruction of a Drag Queen. She worked with the Playwrights Project of San Diego in developing their 'Telling Stories' program that works with members of the foster care system on creating plays from their life stories with the help of Drama Therapy and Theatre for Social Change. Katherine has recently been employed at The Old Globe Theatre as the Head Community Voices Artist and is in charge of bringing Community-Based Playwriting skills to underserved adults throughout San Diego. Katherine has directed, taught, and acted in the professional Theatre world happily for over 15 years.

Shaun Tuazon (Director) Shaun made his official directorial debut last December in CCdd's "Street. Art. Prophets."/"GLOW". Prior to that, Shaun had served as Assistant Director to Ira Bauer-Spector's "Spring Awakening" & "Once Upon a Mattress." Shaun holds a BA in Theatre Arts from SDSU and has had the privilege to work with many companies around town. Favorites works include: CCdd's, "San Diego, I Love You"; SDMT's "Rent" & "Joseph..."; "Zanna, Don't!" (Zanna, SD Premiere); "Deconstruction of a Drag Queen" (Michael/Sunny Peaks) for which Shaun graciously received a Craig Noel / Critics Circle Award nomination. Shaun is a proud company member of CCdd and enjoys working wearing many hats.

Kat Brown (actor) Kat is excited to join Circle Circle Dot Dot for the first time in DerbyWise. She recently completed graduate studies at UC Santa Cruz, and loves feminist theater and anything experimental. Recent works included Maria (Twelfth Night- Shakespeare Santa Cruz), Medea (Medea) and Avis Sibley (Body of Water). Local credits include understudying for the San Diego Rep's production of Clybourne Park. She is a proud member of the San Diego improv team, The Hinges and was voted the top female stand up comedienne for the west coast in the National College Comedy Competition in 2012.

Kristin McReddie (actor) Kristin is so excited to be a part of Circle Circle Dot Dot's Derbywise, especially since it is the first staged show she has performed in since 2010! Currently, she is performing Improvisational Theater with ROAR Theatre all over San Diego. Other credits include, SDSU's production of A Mid Summer Nights Dream, SDSU's production of Dear Harvey (which she also performed at the Diversionary Theater and the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in St. George Utah) and ALTO's Student Production of Animal Farm. In 2010 Kristin studied abroad in Oxford, England at the British American Drama Academy, where she preformed the lead role in Absolute Hell, and studied under theater legends John Gorrie, Madeline Potter, and John Barton. Kristin is also a local costume designer, and has designed for CYC's 2012 Production of RENT, Different Stages production of Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, A.D. Production's original show Vanished, and ALTO's Student Production of The Red Address and Animal Farm. She would like to thank her mother, father, brother Kyle, Crystal, Justin, Taylor, and CJ who have provided their unconditional love and support in perusing her dreams.

Tiffany Tang (actor) Tiffany is a San Diego native and happy to be once again performing in her hometown with the amazing talent at Circle Circle while channeling her Aquarius Roller Rink skating roots! Circle Circle dot dot: Invasion (staged reading). InnerMission:The Vagina Monologues. Playwrights Project: Lifestages: Reflections, S.R.O. (with New Village Arts), Intrepid Shakespeare:Romeo and Juliet, Terra Nova (staged reading). NY credits include Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth (Cry Havoc in rep), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Circle in the Square Downtown), Far Away (NYTW). Regional credits include Cabaret (Scarborough Drama Festival, England). BA: Mount Holyoke. MFA: Actors Studio Drama School.

Cory Hammond (actor) Cory earned her BA in Theatre from San Diego State University, where she performed in WASP, Octavia,Archangels Don't Play Pinball and The Grapes of Wrath. In 2006 she spent the summer at the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England studying Shakespeare and clowning. She is a founding member of SDSU's improv team, Iota Eta Pi and has studied at The Groundling's school in Hollywood. She performs improv regularly with ROAR Theatre and San Diego Dinner Detective. Recently she played the lead in Blackout, a devised theatre piece by Opehqueh.

Monique Hanson (actor) Monique is a senior at San Diego State & is more than excited to be in her first Circle Circle dot dot production. Appearing in roles as "Lenny" in Crimes of the Heart, "Margery" in Vinegar Tom & "Rona" in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. "But this bout is about to get real" :-)

Kathryn Byrd (actor) Kathryn is excited to be back for her second production with Circle2Dot2! Having graduated from SDSU as a Theatre Major, she took a hiatus from the stage and has been working behind the scenes as a Development Associate at North Coast Repertory Theatre. But, we all know the acting bug only sleeps for so long and so the return has been made! She is proud to share a part in an amazing production with an incredible cast and such an inspiring theatre company. She is happy for the opportunity and looks forward to wonderful run.

Hailee Byrd (actor) This is Hailee first production with Circle Circle Dot Dot. She is over the moon to be in a all women production cast. Her past work includes: Cider House Rules, Spring Awakening, Little Women, and Crimes of the Heart. Thank you!

Jyl Kaneshiro (actor) Jyl is beside herself with elation to be working with Circle Circle dot dot for the first time. One of the original founding members of Asian American Repertory Theatre, Jyl has performed in several local theatre companies including North Coast Repertory and 6th@Penn. Her last production was with Chinese Pirate Productions in Golden Child. Thank you berry munch to her friends and family for their unwavering support! A play about the a derby dolls..can't get much better than this.

Samantha Wynn Greenstone I (actor) Circle Circle dot dot debut. Member of the American Guild of Variety Artists. Recent credits: Halloween Horror Nights (Universal Studios, Hollywood), Pilar in Legally Blonde the Musical (Palm Canyon Theatre), Dr. Wink/Alison in Pinkalicious (North Coast Rep - Original cast; 6 month extension), Martha in Spring Awakening (American Rose), Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress, among others.

The Playwright of DerbyWise is: Katherine Harroff*
The Directors of DerbyWise are: Katherin Harroff* and Shaun Tuazon*

The Cast of DerbyWise includes:
Cory Hammond
Hailee Byrd
Jyl Kaneshiro
Kat Brown
Kathryn Byrd
Kristen McReddie
Molly Maslak
Monique Hanson
Samantha Wynn Greenstone I
Tiffany Tang

The Design Team for DerbyWise includes:
Shaun Tuazon*
(Scenic Design)
Bonnie Breckenridge
(Light Design)
Evan Kendig*
(Sound Design)
Soroya Rowley*
(Costume Design)
Melissa Coleman-Reed*
(Makeup Design)

The Crew for DerbyWise includes:
Jon Huckaby
(Stage Manager)
Justin Warren Martin*
(Assistant Stage Manager)
PatRick Kelly*
(Technical Director)
Crystal Brandon*
(Production Assitant)

*Company Members of Circle Circle dot dot

The show opens April 6th @ 8pm + post show reception, and runs April 7th- April 20th Thursday-Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 4pm at the 10th Avenue Theatre, 930 10th Ave, San Diego, Calif.

Tickets: $15, $20, $25. Tickets for DerbyWise are available only at www.circle2dot2.com before the show, or by e-mailing circle@circle2dot2.com for reservations. Tickets may also be purchased one hour prior to each performance. Groups of ten people or more may purchase tickets for $10 before the day of the performance. Student/Senior/Military tickets are $15 (with Valid ID). Adult is $20. Opening Night + Post-Show Reception $25.

CIRCLE CIRCLE DOT DOT MISSION STATEMENT: Circle Circle dot dot engages audiences by creating original Theatre devised from the stories of our community. We allow each new development to be entirely collaborative and inclusive with a broad scope of the art world. We do this to bring Theatre back to the root of what has always made it important: the ability to allow the world to see and understand itself through stimulating, informative, and highly entertaining art.

ABOUT CIRCLE CIRCLE DOT DOT: We are a group of performance-artists, writers, directors, puppeteers, designers, and musicians who have come together to function as a Collaborative Community-Based Theatre. We are both collaborative within our company and with outside artists who are willing to give additional perspective to a theatrical experience. We create each performance completely from scratch by collecting stories and interviews with members of our community, and creating a script that is flushed out in workshop rehearsals before ever hitting a stage. We take stories that are informative and insane, as well as thought-provoking and delusional in order to bridge gaps in communication and understanding of our fellow man.

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