Join Us!
The Rough Draft Theater Ensemble is just over two years old and already we have produced staged readings of eight plays and full productions of seven plays (including several world premieres!)
We're always looking for new members. They can be actors, writers, directors, designers, or anyone who enjoys theater and wants to be a part of that special world.
We do not require dues from members. At our meetings we spend up to an hour discussing and planning future projects followed by an hour reading new and old works brought in by members. Any member is invited to share work at meetings, whether it's something they wrote or something that someone else wrote that they would like to have read aloud.
We invite you to find out more about our group. We meet on the second and fourth Sunday of every month from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Monica's Church (some holiday periods excepted). Meetings are usually held in the Pastoral Center, 725 California Avenue, one half block south of Lincoln Boulevard and one block north of Wilshire (exit the 10 at Lincoln North).
The Rough Draft Theater Ensemble is a St. Monica Parish Community Foundations Group.
Hope you can make it to our next meeting!
Meeting Schedule
Our meetings are scheduled for the second and fourth Sundays of every month. We skip potential conflicts like major holidays and Mother's Day.
All meetings are on Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Pastoral Center of St. Monica's Church, 725 California Avenue in Santa Monica.
Volunteer
We have many opportunities to volunteer at our events. We're always looking for ticket-takers, ushers, stagehands, craftspeople, designers, and of course actors, writers, and directors. Get in touch and let's put on a show!
Guidelines
The Rough Draft Theater Ensemble is a volunteer organization. Monetary contributions from members are not expected. Donations of time and energy are always appreciated.
Mission Statement
To provide an opportunity for actors, playwrights, poets, dancers, and performers to showcase their talents in a nurturing environment for the group members and the general public.
Upcoming
Stay tuned for our monthly reading series slated to begin in March, 2006.
What We've Done
April 1, 2004: Heaven and Hell
On April 1, 2004 the Rough Draft Theater Ensemble in collaboration with Family Theater Productions presented Heaven and Hell, a collection of two one-act plays.
Performance
- Thursday, April 1, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.
Program
Synopses
- Jesus Awakens the Little Girl is inspired by the stories from the books of Matthew and Mark in the Bible that tell of Jesus bringing the twelve-year-old daughter of a leader of the synagogue back from the dead. When most teenagers are forced to do anything against their will they can be pretty cranky and this one is no exception. The play tells how Jesus -- well-known for smoothly handling tax collectors, lepers, and even the devil himself -- might have dealt with possibly one of the most complex and troubling creatures known: a twelve-year-old girl.
- The Sheep and the Goats is about how good and evil people are judged at the time of their deaths... and what fates await them.
Venue
Heaven and Hell was presented at Family Theater Productions in Los Angeles, California.
July 15, 2004: A Night of Staged Readings
On July 15, 2004 the Rough Draft Theater Ensemble in collaboration with Family Theater Productions presented A Night of Staged Readings, a collection of three one-act plays.
Performance
- Thursday, July 15, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.
Program
- Will the Real Jesus Christ Please Stand Up? written by Malcolm Marmorstein and directed by Ron Vazzano
- The Killist written and directed by Emmett Loverde
- The Palisades Bluff written and directed by Bill Klein
Synopses
- Will the Real Jesus Christ Please Stand Up? is a comedy about a group of actors auditioning for the role of Jesus in a big Hollywood movie. However, one of the actors may actually be Jesus -- but will He get the part?
- The Killist is certain that he is the meanest thug who ever menaced a dry frontier town. But he's about to learn just how brutal and scary small-town life can be. Bone Dry, Arizona is home to Dick Stallion, the fastest-talking horse salesman ever, and Maw and Paw, who lost every one of their eighteen children to mysterious circumstances, and Chief Rain-Snow, who just might be the answer to a dry town's prayers... if he's in a good mood. It's a good thing Sheriff Stick keeps order (when he's not quaking in his boots) and Miss Emily pushes everyone onto high moral ground (though it ain't ladylike to push). Can a vicious, black-hearted villain make it in the brave new world of the Old West?
- The Palisades Bluff is a drama about a destitute actress who faces redemption -- or ruin -- at the hands of a kind homeless stranger.
Venue
A Night of Staged Readings was presented at Family Theater Productions in Los Angeles, California.
Click on the flyer below to access a high-resolution printable version.
November 18, 2004: Greeting Strangers: An Evening of One Act Plays
On November 18, 2004 the Rough Draft Theater Ensemble in collaboration with Open Call presented Greeting Strangers: An Evening of One Act Plays, a collection of three one-act plays.
Performance
- Thursday, November 18, 2004 at 7 p.m.
Program
Synopses
- Final Audition is a comedy about an actor auditioning for God to be allowed into heaven or banished to hell.
- Jesus Awakens the Little Girl is inspired by the stories from the books of Matthew and Mark in the Bible that tell of Jesus bringing the twelve-year-old daughter of a leader of the synagogue back from the dead. When most teenagers are forced to do anything against their will they can be pretty cranky and this one is no exception. The play tells how Jesus -- well-known for smoothly handling tax collectors, lepers, and even the devil himself -- might have dealt with possibly one of the most complex and troubling creatures known: a twelve-year-old girl.
- The Palisades Bluff is a drama about a destitute actress who faces redemption -- or ruin -- at the hands of a kind homeless stranger.
Venue
Greeting Strangers was presented in the Pastoral Center of St. Paul The Apostle Church in Los Angeles, California.
Click on the flyers below to access high-resolution printable versions.
April 29 and 30, 2005: STAGES: Plays for Wherever You Are In Life
On April 29 and 30, 2005, the Rough Draft Theater Ensemble in collaboration with St. Monica's Youth Ministry presented STAGES: Plays for Wherever You Are In Life, a collection of four one-act plays.
Performances
- Friday, April 29 at 1 p.m. (performance for St. Monica's elementary school students only)
- Friday, April 29 at 7 p.m. (open to public)
- Saturday, April 30 at 2 p.m. (open to public)
- Saturday, April 30 at 7 p.m. (open to public)
- Sunday, May 1 at 7: 30 p.m. (open to public)
Program
- The Recipe written and directed by Karen Huseby (all performances)
- The Selfish Giant written and directed by Bill Klein and based on Oscar Wilde's famous tale (all performances)
- Jesus Awakens the Little Girl written and directed by Emmett Loverde (Friday evening and Saturday afternoon and evening performances only)
- Final Audition written by G. Bruce Smith and directed by Barry Thurston (Friday evening and Saturday afternoon and evening performances only)
Venue
STAGES was presented in the Cantwell Auditorium of St. Monica's Church in Santa Monica, California.
Click on the flyer below to access a high-resolution printable version.
August 5, 6, and 7, 2005: Pope-Pourri
On August 5, 6, and 7, 2005, the Rough Draft Theater Ensemble presented Pope-Pourri:
An Eclectic Collection of Readings Including Poetry of Pope John Paul II.
Watch Video Clips from the Performances
Performances
- Friday, August 5 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, August 6 at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, August 7 at 7 p.m.
Program
- Sensitivity, USA written and directed by Emmett Loverde
- Conversations with a Stone written by Wislawa Szymborska and read by Mary Pat Preciado
- French Fries written by Jane Martin and read by Mary Pat Preciado
- Detention written and directed by Jason Thompson
- Ode to the Starbucks Girl written by Ron Vazzano and read by Sandra Constantine
- Thoughts' Resistance to Words written by Karen Huseby featuring the poetry of Pope John Paul II and read by the ensemble
- After a While written by Ann Landers and read by Elena Ruddy
- Why Not I! written by Donna Miesbach and read by Elena Ruddy
- Days and Nights Cities written by Bill Klein and read by Elena Ruddy
Venue
Pope-Pourri was presented in the Chapel of St. Monica's Church in Santa Monica, California.
Click on the flyer below to access a high-resolution printable version.
December 16 and 17, 2005: Spotlight: Freedom
On Friday and Saturday December 16 and 17, 2005 the Rough Draft Theater Ensemble presented "Spotlight: Freedom", an evening featuring the world premieres of two one act plays.
Performances
- Friday, December 16, 2005 at 8 p.m.
- Saturday, December 17, 2005 at 8 p.m.
Program
- Spotlight written and directed by Emmett Loverde
- The Placement written and directed by Kevin T. Rush
Synopses
- Spotlight takes place during a U.S. Senate race as the two opposing candidates and their staffs, supporters, and loved ones attempt to manipulate the media coverage of the race to favor one candidate over the other. The tricks each team employs to grab the spotlight range from the subtle to the nasty and even to the shocking as this riveting and at times hilarious story unfolds. In the end the victor must ponder the ways they squandered their values and the loyalty of others in the race to the top.
- The Placement is about a schoolteacher who faces charges that he is not following government mandates in his classroom. As he looks for support from his hip, trendy girlfriend, all he gets is a constant flow of commercial patter.
Both plays made extensive use of video technologies in an effort to accentuate and comment on the pervasiveness of electronic media in our daily lives.
Details
- The program ran approximately two hours including intermission
- Suggested donation: $7.00
- Refreshments were available
Venue
Spotlight: Freedom will be presented in the Cantwell Auditorium of St. Monica's Church, 725 California Avenue in Santa Monica, California 90403.
Click on the flyers below to access high-resolution printable versions.
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