Saint Francis Xanadu
This full length drama revolves around a 60's throwback mother who has devoted her life to political activism, a commitment made at the expense of attention to her children. When her son returns from war, both she and her daughter see, in different ways, an opportunity to bring the family back together. But her son has his own problems, and the police detectives on his trail threaten to destroy the family once and for all.
Mark Wild (writer) explores the history and drama of modern urban life. He is the author of Hayward in addition to the non-fiction study Street Meeting (2005). He currently teaches history at California State University Los Angeles, and is completing his third play, Faithful are the Wounds.
About The New Alignment Reading Series
The Syzygy Theatre Group and The Los Angeles Writers Center have joined forces to create a new play reading series called New Alignments. Its purpose is to provide playwrights with the opportunity to receive feedback on works-in-progress, to provide the community with an opportunity to participate in and observe the creative process, and to provide actors and directors with an opportunity to hone their craft. All readings will take place at the Sidewalk Studio Theatre in Burbank.
Immediately following readings, there will be an audience discussion of the play with the playwright, and the reading's director. The discussion will be facilitated by Syzygy's Artistic Director, Martin Bedoian, and The Los Angeles Writers Center's Producing Artistic Director, Che'Rae Adams.
About the Los Angeles Writers Center
The Los Angeles Writers Center is an organization designed to germinate and foster new works by involving not only the playwright, but a team of artists: directors, dramaturges, and actors. The first draft of a play, having emerged on raw and stumbling legs from the womb of the playwright's home computer, often wants more attention and growth before it is ready to race into production. In classic Catch-22 style, most theatres will only risk hosting a play that is not only ready to be mounted, but one which carries the pedigree of a proven track record. Faced with this wily conundrum, bursting new talent cries out for a sort of incubator for emerging new works; a place where plays can grow and develop into the plays they want to be, without the pressure or expense of production.
We believe that the future of American theatre depends upon its ability to grow and stretch; to be itself transformed in the meeting of bold, new voices. Yet producing theatres, faced with the challenges of remaining solvent, must be met halfway. Provided with this safe and nurturing environment in which to read and workshop their work, playwrights are able to hone and sharpen them to a degree that would make them inherently more production-ready, and thus more likely to be produced by theatres of various sizes across the country.
About Syzygy Theatre Group
The Syzygy Theatre Group's mission is to create enriching and thought-provoking professional art in which the rewards and responsibilities are shared through an alignment of the audience, the playwright, and the producing artists.
The goal of the company is to maintain a resident artistic ensemble, broaden and diversify local audiences, form an art-share relationship with an un-served American community, and produce works that continue the theatre's rich tradition, reflect on the theatre's role in a contemporary society, anticipate and embrace the theatre's future.
Syzygy has an ensemble of approximately 36 actors, directors, designers, and board members, and is a non-dues paying company with a "no-requirements" policy. In addition, we are striving to create a resident, salaried ensemble, and to that end currently produce under an LOA agreement with Actors Equity Association for all productions. For more information visit www.syzygytheatre.org